Legal Defense: No Laughing Matter

Q:What do you call a thousand lawyers chained together at the bottom of the ocean?
A: A good start.

Lawyer jokes have been around as long as there have been lawyers, and most of us (this writer included) can admit to telling a few. Although we can all use a good laugh, there’s a time when lawyer jokes aren’t so funny: the unfortunate time of facing a possible malpractice suit.

That’s when we learn to love a lawyer. However, you need to know about your legal defense team before facing a potential suit. That is truly “a good start.”

Psychiatrists need to be confident that their liability insurance program provides topnotch legal representation. Your legal team must understand the intricacies of psychiatric practice plus have experience in malpractice litigation. You need a legal team with a proven track record. You need the attorneys retained by The Psychiatrists' Program.

The Program has established a national network of experienced medical malpractice defense attorneys. How important is your legal representation? Just remember that many cases are won or lost at trial based on the testimony provided by credible experts on the stand during trial. For this reason we seek to retain world-renowned experts of the highest caliber, with experience in the particular subspecialty the case involves. We also utilize a local expert to provide support to that testimony. When it comes time to try a case in front of a jury, or resolve a case after a favorable defense posture has been developed, you will find comfort in knowing you have coverage with a carrier that knows the importance of obtaining superior defense attorneys and experts for each participant.

The Program assigns attorneys to assist participants through the litigation process in their given jurisdiction. In the event of an incident, you should immediately contact the Claims Department of Professional Risk Management Services (PRMS), The Program's manager. The qualified claims staff member assigned to your territory will discuss the situation with you and determine whether it is necessary to obtain counsel at that time.

If counsel is needed, PRMS will contact the defense attorney and make the assignment. In turn, defense counsel will contact the covered participant. PRMS claims staff will monitor the entire litigation process to ensure that a quality defense is provided. Claims staff are also very helpful in providing support throughout the process. If you are a Program participant you can report a claim by calling 1-800-245-3333.