[jammie232]

I can easily find court cases in the Unified courts of NY, but I'm trying to help someone
Find medical malpractice cases of a doctor she is considering for surgery.. she just wants
To see if he has been sued very often. His office is in NY and he does his surgery in
Connecticut. He has no negative record in NY, but I want to find out about Conn.
I can get the courts online, but not the individual cases. Any suggestions??

[excon]

I'm trying to help someone find medical malpractice cases of a doctor she is considering for surgery..she just wants
to see if he has been sued very often. Any suggestions???

Hello j:

I don't blame her. Do I have suggestions? Sure, and I'm making them up as we go along...

Fortunately, I've never been faced with the kind of research you're trying to do. Without getting all political on you, I believe most doctors are able to HIDE their malpractice record by getting the courts to SEAL the record. In my view, the courts go along...

So, even if the state allowed you to peruse the lawsuits, which of course, SHOULD be a public record, I doubt you'll find any...

Therefore, faced with a society that DOESN'T respect your need to know, but rather protects the interests of the medical community, I would take the following steps. Yes, maybe you won't find a doctor who'll answer your questions... But, I wouldn't hire one unless he did.

It's simple, really. I'd send them a letter asking them straight out if they've been sued and if so, to include the details. I'd send my letter certified, return receipt requested...

No matter HOW many defenses the medical community puts up to CONCEAL this information, I don't believe they would LIE to you ON PAPER. If they did, they put themselves in a vulnerable situation... Maybe they'll take your letter to their lawyer, and he'll tell the doctor NOT to answer... That's cool. Move on.

Yes, I'm a cynic. But, I get results. No, I'm not going to let some guy take a knife to me who REFUSES to tell me about himself.

excon

[Wondergirl]

Call or visit the public library. They may have resources to help you.

[Fr_Chuck]

First mainly 90 or so cases never go to court but are settled by insurance companies, mostly court cases only show where insurance companies did not settle.