Insurance for medical malpractice

All medical practitioners have insurance against medical malpractice. In essence the insurance is professional indemnity, as many other professions also have to protect themselves against accidents and claims for compensation when carrying out their normal work.

Insurance for medical malpractice protects the doctor against any possible cases of malpractice or clinical negligence that might be brought against them by the patients they treat. Insurance against medical malpractice also extends to other healthcare professionals such as optometrists and dentists.

Anyone making a claim for clinical negligence or malpractice against a healthcare professional will often be looking for compensation. If the courts find that the healthcare professional was negligent, and has to pay compensation, the insurance for medical malpractice will make the payment to the injured party.

Also, if you are bringing a medical malpractice lawsuit for compensation, you usually have the option of bringing your claim against the individual healthcare practitioner, against the place they work, or both. Your solicitor can help you decide which of these approaches would be the most likely to secure a positive outcome from the courts.

Note that patients can also buy insurance against medical malpractice. These policies are available from UK insurance brokers. They can be used to protect yourself if you have an operation at an NHS hospital or a private medical centre. Also, you can use this medical malpractice insurance if you are going abroad for medical treatment. Your solicitor can give you more help and advice about these policies and how you can enforce them.

If you would like to obtain legal advice about medical malpractice insurance, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local specialist solicitor free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.

Last Updated on 11/07/2012