Frequently Asked Questions section provides answers to the most common inquiries that ophthalmologists have regarding OMIC's claims handling and litigation procedures.
A selection of Closed Claim Studies helps ophthalmologists understand many of the clinical and non-clinical issues that arise in a case and impact the outcome. These reviews provide ophthalmologists in similar situations with helpful claims and risk management information. The most recent closed claim study can be found in the quarterly issue of the Ophthalmic Risk Management Digest.
If a lawsuit is filed against you, OMIC and assigned defense counsel will require your participation and expertise to best represent your interests. In order to help you understand the legal process, OMIC has created the Litigation Handbook for The Ophthalmologist and the Deposition Handbook for The Ophthalmologist to provide vital information about medical malpractice litigation. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these Adobe PDF files. Get if free at Adobe's website.
The Litigation Handbook (PDF) provides an overview of the litigation process to assist you in understanding the various stages of your case. Principles are necessarily generic since laws vary from state to state and different courts impose their own rules of court. Although this manual can provide you with a generic understanding of legal procedures, it is not a substitute for specific advice from your attorney or OMIC.
The Deposition Handbook (PDF) provides an overview of the deposition process - where your testimony is given under oath prior to trial - to assist you in understanding what takes place at a deposition. It is not designed to take the place of your own personal legal counsel; its function is to provide you with general information about this important part of the litigation process, which increasingly affects the way physicians provide care within our medical system.
Ophthalmologists who are or may become involved in medical malpractice litigation have a new resource for support and information. The website was developed by the Physician Litigation Stress Resource Center and is available at www.physicianlitigationstress.org. The site serves as a resource for those seeking to mitigate the personal and professional stress associated with medical malpractice litigation.
