In this wrap-up post, Kristi Wright reflects on what the litigation education series has meant to our clients and teams—and shares what’s next for this evolving program designed to bring clarity to a complex process.
Nine months ago, we kicked off Curi’s litigation education blog series with a clear goal to help make the legal process less mysterious—and less stressful—for our physician and clinician clients. Four months later, we launched our online resource hub and CME video series, and the response confirmed what we believed all along. This educational support was not just helpful, it was necessary.
If this is your first time reading one of our posts in the series, welcome. Let me take a moment to explain how it all started. It began with a powerful keynote to our Curi insurance team from Dr. Gita Pensa, creator of the popular podcast, “Doctors and Litigation: The ‘L’ Word.” She focused on the stress of litigation, which hit home and provided an opportunity and, honestly, a responsibility. The lack of understanding about the litigation process can intensify this stress for the impacted physician or clinician. I realized it was time to roll up our “trusted advisor” sleeves and educate. The litigation education program was born.
Although we saw the need, we knew we were still taking a chance. Would the resources be utilized and help answer questions while limiting litigation stress? Only a couple of months in and we’ve seen real engagement:
- 80+ physicians have completed or are working through the CME series
- 300+ clients and partners have joined our overview webinars
- And 5,600+ have accessed our growing library of online tools and resources on the hub
Many would see that as a success. I see that as a beginning.
As we’ve shared this content, we’ve also listened to your thoughtful feedback. This input helps us shape what is next for the program. Here are a few of the questions we’ve heard. And a few answers:
“How often do physicians have a claim filed against them?'
About one in three physicians will face a claim at some point in their career. It's important to note that not all claims become lawsuits. Sometimes, it’s simply a notice that preserves legal timelines while attorneys gather more information. But no matter the situation, it’s critical to notify Curi right away if:
- A patient experiences a significant and unforeseen adverse outcome
- There’s an error or omission in care that leads to an adverse outcome
- A patient or their family expresses dissatisfaction with your treatment
- Any other event related to patient care that might lead to future litigation
Your dedicated Curi team is here to support you throughout each step of the process.
“Is there anything that can be done to shorten the litigation process?”
Litigation can be a slow process. But collaborating closely with experienced legal counsel and Curi Insurance can help keep things moving efficiently. While it all may seem overwhelming, understanding the six stages of a medical malpractice lawsuit can help you navigate the process with greater confidence.
“How can I reduce my risk of being sued?”
Our Curi claims analysis team regularly reviews top malpractice trends—identifying which issues, specialties, and contributing factors show up most often. That data informs the Risk Reports we deliver to clients, which include practical strategies and resources for reducing risk. The top five malpractice allegation categories across care settings are:
- Surgical
- Medical
- Diagnostic
- Obstetrical
- Falls
To learn more about these and how to reduce risks, we encourage you to read The Top Risk Drivers blog series. If you’re a Curi client, sign in to our Risk Solutions Resource Catalog to take our Surgical Risk Assessment, view data-informed Risk Reports, and watch the CME-accredited video, Claims Insights: Mitigating Surgical Adverse Events.
“How can I help others going through litigation?”
Start by sharing the resources in our litigation hub and reminding them that their Curi claims consultant is always just a call away. We also offer the Clinician Peer Consult Program—a unique service that connects physicians with peers who’ve been through it themselves. These peer consultants offer emotional support, a listening ear, and a pathway through the tough moments.
We are committed to making litigation less confusing and less stressful for our clients. This means more resources, more education, and more conversations with you. We invite you to join us on this educational journey and share your thoughts throughout.
For more info on navigating the litigation process, don’t miss Dr. Gita Pensa’s podcast: Doctors and Litigation: The “L” Word. And be sure to review all the videos and resources on our litigation education hub.
SHARE THIS POST
Comments