October 15, 2008
Where you can find malpractice records
The Maryland Board of Physicians' Web site is the official source of information about doctors but includes very little about their malpractice claims histories. To find that information, consumers must go elsewhere.
All malpractice claims are filed with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office, at 6 St. Paul St., Baltimore. (410-767-8200; 1-800- 492-1951. Web: www.mdarchives.state.md.us/ msa/mdmanual/25ind/html/42healc.html ) Claims can be looked up by name of the defendant or the person who filed it. Consumers can visit the office or obtain copies for $15 each.
Records may be found at the courthouse, since claims are rarely resolved by the alternative dispute resolution office and most get filed as lawsuits in the jurisdictions where the alleged malpractice occurred.
However, it is unlikely that you'll find out much more. Claims usually are settled confidentially, without a finding of fault or disclosure of details such as the amount paid.
Related links
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Doctor profiles veiled in secrecy
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Confidential warnings outnumber public sanctions
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Masking malpractice cases
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Disregarding the symptoms
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Overseeing doctors
Graphic
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A Sun investigation of state oversight of doctors found:
- Regulators overlook dozens of doctors faced with an unusually high number of malpractice claims or payouts.
- About 120 physicians across Maryland have been the focus of five or more negligence claims in the past decade.
- A slow and spotty disciplinary process results in few tough penalties for errant doctors.
- State rules and legal practices deprive Marylanders of facts needed to make informed choices about doctors.
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Md. Board of Physicians practitioner profiles
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Md. Board of Physicians complaint form
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Series methodology
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Medical malpractice reform
Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun
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