The Doctor’s Advocate | Fourth Quarter 2015
Case Studies

What to Expect from Litigation: Dr. Go’s Perspective

Each quarter, we highlight one member’s personal experience in facing a malpractice claim. Hearing peers discuss the emotional impact of being sued and the support they receive throughout the litigation process provides valuable information to any physician who might become the target of litigation.

This quarter, we feature Dr. Darlene M. Go, a cardiologist in Windermere, Florida, who generously agreed to share her experience. Dr. Go was consulted when a man complaining of chest pains was admitted to the hospital. After a stress test indicated abnormal results, Dr. Go performed a heart catheterization, and the patient was subsequently discharged. The patient later experienced difficulties walking and presented to his primary care physician with an occlusion of the femoral artery, which led to surgery. The patient filed a medical malpractice lawsuit. Expert testimony played a key role in this complex, technical case.

Supported by The Doctors Company, Dr. Go maintained she had appropriately evaluated the patient before he was discharged, and the jury exonerated her.

The Doctor’s Advocate is published by The Doctors Company to advise and inform its members about loss prevention and insurance issues.

The guidelines suggested in this newsletter are not rules, do not constitute legal advice, and do not ensure a successful outcome. They attempt to define principles of practice for providing appropriate care. The principles are not inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of other methods reasonably directed at obtaining the same results.

The ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of any treatment must be made by each healthcare provider considering the circumstances of the individual situation and in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the care is rendered.

The Doctor’s Advocate is published quarterly by Corporate Communications, The Doctors Company. Letters and articles, to be edited and published at the editor’s discretion, are welcome. The views expressed are those of the letter writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or official policy of The Doctors Company. Please sign your letters, and address them to the editor.