Reporting a Claim or Incident

Notification of an Incident or a Claim

It is essential that you notify The Doctors Company immediately if any incident occurs that may lead to action against you. The more familiar you are with the following information and guidelines, the better able we will be to provide you with expert claim handling.

What Should You Report to The Doctors Company?

• Demand for money.
• Verbal or written threat of legal action.
• Formal paper naming you as a defendant or witness.
• Attorney’s letter of intent or 90-day notice.
• Request for arbitration.
• Request for deposition or interview.
• Subpoena, summons, complaint, notice of a lawsuit, or small claims court notice.

What Types of Incidents Lead to Claims and Should Be Reported to The Doctors Company?

Report any incident related to diagnosis or treatment that could be construed as a contributory factor to:

• Death.
• Diminished life expectancy.
• Birth injuries.
• Loss of an extremity.
• Injury to or impairment of a body organ.
• Loss or impairment of any of the five senses.
• Severe disfigurement.
• Verbal or written threats.
• Harassment by patient or family.

How to Report an Incident to The Doctors Company

• Online: To submit a professional liability claim online, you must sign in to your member account. If you need help accessing your account our Member Services team is here to help at (800) 421-2368.
• By fax or email: Contact us at (800) 421-2368 for email or fax information.
• By phone: Call (800) 421-2368.
• Be ready to relate the facts of the event.
• Provide all relevant documents (including any demand, notice of intent to sue, complaint, or other document you receive that relates to the incident or claim).

You may also wish to discuss the incident with your patient safety risk manager, but this would NOT constitute notice to the company. Initial notice is only accepted in writing.

Additional Recommendations to Ensure Defensibility

• Do not add to, delete from, or otherwise alter a medical record.
• Place the medical record in a safe place.
• After making a report to us, keep copies of your correspondence in a safe place—not in the patient’s chart—for future consultation.
• Always require the patient’s or the patient’s legal representative’s signature to release a copy of the medical record or any information within it.
• Do not discuss the event with anyone other than your claim specialist or defense attorney.
• Do not make contact with anyone associated with the case except your claims specialist or defense attorney.

When we receive your written report, we will send you an acknowledgment and will carefully review your report. If no action is required in the case of an incident, we will inform you that the report has been filed for reference in the event that a claim should develop. You should contact us immediately if you receive additional communication regarding a reported incident. Depending on the facts and circumstances of the event, a claim specialist may need more information from you. In the case of a lawsuit or a demand for arbitration, we will send you an acknowledgment along with specific instructions for future handling. Contact your claim specialist at any time to ask questions or to receive an update on your case. You can expect to receive an update quarterly and/or when significant events occur.

Our Commitment to You
In the event that a suit is brought against you, remember that The Doctors Company’s experienced, professional claims experts are with you every step of the way. We will provide vigorous defense against nuisance suits or work with you to pursue speedy and fair resolution for meritorious claims. Our Claims and Patient Safety Departments are dedicated to your protection.