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Lack of Medical Malpractice Insurance for Florida Plastic Surgeons

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Seeking medical treatment can be risky in some cases. Medical malpractice is an issue that continues to grow, with physicians committing hundreds of thousands of medical mistakes every year. A surgeon without the proper skill can puncture a patient’s organ, causing internal bleeding and even death. An inexperienced doctor may not diagnose a deadly disease, such as cancer.

There’s even more risk involved when it comes to plastic surgery. Twenty percent of plastic surgeons are uninsured. This type of insurance is very costly, so many doctors go without it. They save money, but their patients are the ones who pay. If they are injured by a doctor’s negligence, they could be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This may seem like a hypothetical situation, but errors happen quite frequently during plastic surgery. Botched tummy tucks, liposuctions and Brazilian butt lifts are commonplace. If an organ is punctured during a procedure, this can lead to serious medical issues such as infections, gaping abdomens, nerve issues and mobility problems. Some patients end up in a medically induced coma. Some even die.

But when a doctor has no medical malpractice insurance, the victim has little recourse. Approximately 6,900 doctors in Florida have no insurance, so if they injure or kill a patient, there is nothing that the patient or their family can do. Suing is not an option. This means families are left on their own to pay medical bills which, in some cases, can top $1 million.

This is troubling, as Florida is known as a destination for discounted plastic surgery. Making matters worse is that Florida requires certification for plastic surgeons. Many, however, have no such certification. This means that many doctors are still in business, despite having no certification nor malpractice insurance. This is putting patients at risk, especially those who fail to do their research before electing to have plastic surgery.

The good news is that the state is taking action to discipline these physicians. Just 110 of those 6,900 doctors are licensed to practice in Florida, as most of them are facing disciplinary action in other states. They have been disciplined 44% more frequently in the past 10 years. Many of them have faced criminal charges as well—primarily for driving under the influence.

Injured patients can try taking their doctor to court, but many never receive a penny. Under the Florida Financial Responsibility statute, physicians are required to pay judgments up to $250,000. However, there is a loophole that allows doctors to file for bankruptcy instead.

Seek Help for Your Medical Malpractice Case

Medical malpractice cases can be tricky, especially when the doctor has no insurance. Recovering compensation can be complicated. Pursuing such a case can take a lot of time and money.

No matter the issue, if you have been injured by a doctor’s negligence, the aggressive Dade City & Zephyrhills medical malpractice lawyers at Madonna Law Group will fight for your legal rights. We understand that medical errors can be costly and we’ll help you get the compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call our office at (800) 557-0411.

 

Resource:

usatoday.com/in-depth/news/investigations/2019/12/12/plastic-surgery-malpractice-doctors-avoid-paying-for-mistakes/2597399001/

https://www.manderlawgroup.com/increase-in-defensive-medicine-to-avoid-medical-malpractice-suits/

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