No, I’ve never been considered the most organized human being, a fact which drives most of those close to me a little crazy. Though I’ve improved on this tremendously in recent years, my occasional lapses can be somewhat problematic.
Take today’s mammoth power outage in South Florida. While everyone else in Miami figured something big was amiss, I was home for lunch kicking myself for forgetting to pay my power bill again. Yeah, I’m that bad.
Sometimes it’s even more potentially devastating than the loss of my DSL (God, forbid I lose power long enough to drag me away from my blog for a night!). My most recent serious debacle explains the title:
I forgot to renew my AVMA membership and consequently my professional liability insurance was canceled. In other words, I’ve been working without “malpractice” coverage for some time now.
In case you think this not so big a deal, you might want to reconsider: Big time malpractice suits and license actions are increasingly common in veterinary medicine. Even an irrationally angry party, feeling aggrieved at the loss of a pet for what he perceives to be a major lapse in my professional duties can end up costing me plenty in legal fees.
Though large settlements and/or judgments are still uncommon in my profession, legal fees can be sizable—not to mention white-knuckle scary to someone’s whose current paycheck-to-paycheck life means potential bankruptcy. Sure they can’t take my house. But I’d probably lose it anyway. Ouch!
Often, it matters little whether malpractice suits are justifiable or not. Evidence or no evidence. Obvious injury or no apparent damage. It doesn’t matter. The lawyers are still required when we have to defend our licenses and our reputations.
I know I’m not alone in my forgetfulness and disorganization. And I am improving. What is it they say…? Progress is the goal…not perfection. I’d do well to remember that the next time my power goes out and the self-flagellation kicks into overdrive.
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Dr. Khuly: For the benefit of the readership, an expansion on this topic would be helpful.
. Is membership in the AVMA the only means to obtain malpractice insurance?
. What are typical yearly premiums and is that dependent on region, type of practice, etc.
. What exclusions or lack of coverage, would cause one to have to pay for their own attorney versus the insurance carrier?
Obviously, there has to be a big difference in malpractice insurance policy/premiums among MD's, RN's, DVM's , etc. And similar to no legal insurance requirement for vehicle/homeowners in New Hampshire, there is no stated requirement for malpractice insurance in the NH VPAct or be a member of the AVMA (just to follow standards and guidelines issued by the AVMA)
Barbara A. Albright February 26th, 2008 06:49:00 PM
I totally understand! My desk use to be covered in post-it notes, so I decide to compromise for the sake of my sanity and the amount of paper I was wasting. I use a program called Stickies. I'm on a Mac so it comes with the software. But here it is for PC users: http://www.stickiesforwindows.com/ basic, simple and can put whatever you want into them (reminders, to dos, blog ideas, etc).
Good luck. ;)
Wolfgirl February 26th, 2008 07:30:00 PM
um, if it makes you feel better, I just got a big letter from the AVMA stamped FINAL NOTICE. RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP DINGBAT.
OK it did not say the second part but it should have.
DrSteggy February 26th, 2008 08:42:00 PM
I heard or read somewhere today that anesthesiologists for humans have the highest-priced malpractice insurance because they have the highest likelihood of something going wrong. Apparently their insurance costs them about $100,000 per year! Holy moly!
kabbage February 27th, 2008 12:34:00 AM
WHo's your business manager/ you are probably a great Vet, but the skills and additudes that make you one do not easily transfer into Administration duties
james February 27th, 2008 09:30:00 AM
James: Some of the more personal issues involved in vet practice (license maintenance, CE credit acquisition, AVMA membership, etc.) are usually handled by the individual vet--that is, unless the practice pays for it. Mine covers none of this per our agreement ten years ago. That's why no one's managing my BS paperwork but little old me. Thank God they handle my health insurance!
Dr. Patty Khuly February 27th, 2008 09:47:00 AM
Oh yeah, on the malpractice expense: I paid just over $300 for the year for significantly better than bare-bones coverage. A OB/GYN in Miami might pay as much as $125,000!! Juries just can't stand the thought of not making docs cough up big money for the death of a baby, no matter how accidental or unrelated to the competency of the clinician. Don't get me started.
Dr. Patty Khuly February 27th, 2008 09:50:00 AM
Have you considered setting up your bills to be paid automatically? You can do this with most bills directly (they will withdraw the money from your checking account on the day you specify), or you can do it through a checking account that sends out checks automatically according to your specifications. Then all you have to worry about is making sure you get your deposits in on time (direct deposit would eliminate this concern as well).
Mary February 27th, 2008 01:48:00 PM
Mary: Yep. I do that now. It's a life-saver for monthlies. But sometimes I end up overpaying or underpaying for things like the power bill--hence the occasional electrical cut-off issue. And yearly thigs? Bah! Who's that organized? ;)
Dr. Patty Khuly February 27th, 2008 04:44:00 PM
Re:
"Juries just can't stand the thought of not making docs cough up big money for the death of a baby, no matter how accidental or unrelated to the competency of the clinician. Don't get me started."
Oh, please do get started. I believe we have our respective biases. I personally believe that the myth of out-of-control malpractice awards is just that -- myth.
Please cite me some cases in which a jury made an individual doctor "cough up big money for the death of a baby" even though the death was unrelated to the competency or actions of the physicians.
But ya can't gimme an example!
Stefani March 3rd, 2008 03:40:00 PM
"Juries just can't stand the thought of not making docs cough up big money for the death of a baby, no matter how accidental or unrelated to the competency of the clinician. Don't get me started."
Off topic but I have to say something.
I love your blog Dr! I respect you for the strong opinions you express. BUT. Two and a half months ago, I had a negative experience at the hands of the OB who delivered my son. He did several procedures without my consent and which were almost certainly unnecessary had he not been in a hurry (I had the misfortune to deliver during the dinner hour). Fortunately, there have been no short term negative effects, except for flashbacks a couple times a week. There may be long term effects on my future fertility but we won't know until we're actually ready to try again. I'm I considering malpractice now? No. But if there's a negative impact on my fertility the next time around, you bet I'll be thinking about it since I had NO problems getting/staying pregnant this time.
MeriGray March 5th, 2008 09:50:00 PM
My pet has just been the victim of veterinary malpractice by an incompetent greedy veterinarian. Through the tremendous efforts of another caring hospital and a heroic veterinarian his life was saved. He will be incontinent and scarred for the rest of his life. But we have him back, and he is truly one of the joys of life. By the way, the two week hospital stay cost $20,000. We have already paid $10,000.
My question is are all veterinarians competent and ethical. This one certainly was not. What recourse do I have besides small claims court. He also will get a slap on the wrist by the overseeing agency. No veterinarian in N.Y. State has been suspended for veterinary malpractice. They have gotten probation a $1000 fine and are back to work the next day.
Is this fair or right or humane to the animals that are hurt by those who know that there are minimal consequences for their actions. Those in the profession know the truth better than the general public. Yes it's about money. Yes insurance rates will increase from $300 a year to maybe $600. But if it means better accountability isn't that safeguarding the future of your profession. Why can't the AVMA and other organizations work toward resolving this injustice to a mutually fair resolution? How long will the stonewalling and denial continue?
Look into your hearts and search your moral conscience. It is easy to put Mahatma Ghandi's sayings for all to see. Now work to give meaning to those words.
Roger
nypetlover@gmail.com
roger February 7th, 2009 10:49:28 AM
I too recently have had a very bad experience at a Veterinary hospital. I do not feel I should discuss the specifics until all the facts come in. Not being the "normal" lay person in a vet setting, I feel that I saw some unbelievable practices that this Vet used in front of me. By the way, he knows my employment background which led me to believe that this is just the sorry way he does surgeries and runs his clinic. This led me to start researching complaints and consequences for Vets in my state. I was appalled at the lack of consequences and regulations facing this sector of "professionals". I do not believe that there is any profession of this type with any lower standards and regulations. Not even to mention the slaps on the wrists they get for what I would think the general public would be shocked. There is falsifications of records going on a lot. It is so hard to even get another Vet to stand up and say what this Vet did was wrong. Even with a mountain of forensics to back them up. I want to believe that the conscientous veterinarians would also want to see more continuity in practices across the country. I know that they see a lot of mishaps from infamous clinics! Every town has the clinic that other Vets know should be avoided.
anonymous for now April 10th, 2009 01:11:57 PM
I am a veterinarian in Canada - same bullshit here. Minimal consequences for severe malpractice.
The root of the problem is the laws governing animal welfare. In this country if a person skins a cat alive and videotapes it for pleasure, they maybe get a small fine + some minimal jailtime (months), if that. If animals were actually considered beings worthy of civilized treatment, the laws surrounding Veterinary malpractice would surely be more severe. Until we start treating our animals more like humans, and less like inanimate possessions, Veterinarians will continue to have minimal punishments.
Of course, I do not agree with Veterinary malpractice. I have witnessed some horrible things myself on my journey to becoming a veterinary professional. However, don't look to the Veterinary profession for your answer. The federal laws must first change to support animal rights.
I am sorry for all those people who have had bad experiences with vets. I took an oath and plan to uphold it until I die.
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