Potential malpractice lawsuits are one of the most stressful burdens faced by members of the medical profession. Dealing with that stress can compromise a physician’s ability to provide quality care for his or her patients, especially if a medical professional is facing existing litigation. Florida asset protection attorneys say that doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who actually face litigation often lose sight of the reasons they joined the medical field. In many cases, litigation can even have a negative impact on one’s sense of self-worth within the medical profession.
Avoid Malpractice Suits With Asset Protection
While the medical profession continues to make advances in the modern age, the legal system is lagging far behind. Dissatisfied patients with a profit motive often turn to litigation. In some cases, patients just feel exhausted from battling medical conditions that are beyond anyone’s control. Unfortunately, lawsuits fail to adequately address true underlying issues and, instead, focus on money. A cycle of blame is started that begins and ends with treating physician. The increasing acceptance of a litigious attitude in society only serves to encourage the tide of lawsuits filed each and every year. Attorneys are to blame. They profit more than anyone from litigation, and they have mass marketed litigation as “the solution to your problem.”
Physicians sued for malpractice many times find themselves unfairly saddled with stigma, even in circumstances where lawsuits are based on factors beyond any doctor’s control–mistakes caused by systemic errors, harm associated with disease, or illness. A malpractice suit effectively casts blame on the doctor. The term “malpractice” is often enough to evoke the image of an incompetent or careless doctor, when in fact this is often not the case, many Florida medical malpractice lawyers say.
Stress caused by medical malpractice or just the threat of medical malpractice is an often-ignored syndrome in doctors, nurses, and medical technicians who are forced to defend themselves, their professions, and their livelihoods against malpractice lawsuits. Malpractice suits are time-consuming and costly. They can be strung out for years in court, leaving participants feeling as though there is no end in sight. Recognizing and responsibly handling stress is important for any physician, especially a physician facing a potential malpractice lawsuit. Acute or chronic anxiety and depression are the prominent symptom of medical malpractice stress syndrome.
Other signs that a health care professional might be suffering from medical malpractice stress syndrome include:
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Disruption/Change in Sleeping Habits
- Feelings of isolation
- Change in Eating Habits
- Diminished Self-Esteem
- Agitation, Inability to Relax
- Moodiness or Irritability
- Diminished sex-drive
- Uncharacteristic Substance Abuse
All of the symptoms listed above have the potential to interrupt a physician’s well-being They can make it difficult to perform even the simplest of tasks. Other symptoms can be found here.
Medical professionals can battle these symptoms by acknowledging that they need help and then seeking support from friends, family and professional colleagues. Depending on the severity of the anxiety or depression associated with the medical malpractice stress syndrome, the physician may wish to seek medical or mental health attention. Health care providers should also retain an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who can alleviate some pressure by offering legal guidance throughout the duration of the case.
The Best Solution
Win the case before it’s ever filed against you. Take the target off your back before you ever face a medical malpractice lawsuit. The way to do that is by setting up an asset protection strategy that fully protects you and your family. Then, attorneys simply won’t want to target you in lawsuits.