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The

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John H. Fisher

Is it worth an

hour of your

time to avoid the

mistakes that most

malpractice

victims make?

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John H. Fisher

manner whatsoever without written permission of the author. Published 2010.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN: 978-1-59571-583-8

Designed and published by

Word Association Publishers

205 Fih Avenue

Tarentum, Pennsylvania 15084

www.wordassociation.com

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

:QOU*HIc^GU*PFQOHJ*ZG*XUGXIUGJ*SQ*JKPNOPP*SFG*TGUKS*QR*^QOU*NIPG*

cKSFKL*PKb*cGGWP*IRSGU*^QO*\UPS*NQLSINS*cKSF*FKT7

:QO*TI^*cILS*SQ*IPW*^QOU*HIc^GU1*2IYG*^QO*QZSIKLGJ*IHH*QR*T^*

TGJKNIH*UGNQUJPV*2IYG*^QO*PGLS*T^*TGJKNIH*UGNQUJP*SQ*I*TGJKNIH*

GbXGUSV*2IYG*^QO*PXQWGL*cKSF*I*TGJKNIH*GbXGUS*IZQOS*T^*NIPGV*

9FIS*QXKLKQLP*JKJ*^QOU*TGJKNIH*GbXGUS*SGHH*^QO*IZQOS*T^*NIPGV*

-P* ^QOU* TGJKNIH* GbXGUS* cKHHKLM* SQ* SGPSKR^* KL* NQOUS* UGMIUJKLM* FKP*

QXKLKQLPV* -R* ^QOU* HIc^GU* NILLQS* ILPcGU*SFGPG* dOGPSKQLP* cKSFKL*

RQOU*SQ*PKb*cGGWP*IRSGU*^QO*UGSIKL*FKT]*KS*KP*HKWGH^*SFIS*^QOU*HIc^GU*

KP*JQKLM*YGU^*HKSSHG]*QU*LQSFKLM]*cKSF*^QOU*NIPG*ILJ*^QO*PFQOHJ*\LJ*

I*LGc*HIc^GU7

-R*^QOU*HIc^GU*MKYGP*^QO*YIMOG*ILPcGUP*IZQOS*SFG*PSISOP*QR*^QOU*

NIPG]*^QO*LGGJ*SQ*IPW*cF^*FG*NILLQS*XUQYKJG*ILPcGUP7*-R*SFG*HIc^GU*

NILLQS*ILPcGU*PONF*dOGPSKQLP]*^QO*LGGJ*SQ*\LJ*I*LGc*HIc^GU7

,01"&02&8')&'8&5'9%&20="

&FG*HQLMGU*^QO*SIWG*SQ*NQLSINS*I*HIc^GU]*SFG*HGPP*HKWGH^*I*HIc^GU*cKHH*

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QR*HKTKSISKQLP7@*

&FG* PSISOSG* QR* HKTKSISKQLP* KP* I* UOHG* SFIS* UGdOKUGP* ^QO* SQ*

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HIcPOKS* RQU* TGJKNIH* TIHXUINSKNG* TOPS* ZG* PSIUSGJ* cKSFKL* ScQ*

^GIUP* ILJ* PKb* TQLSFP* IRSGU* SFG* JISG* QR* SFG* TIHXUINSKNG]* ILJ* KR*

10 John H. Fisher

SFG* XISKGLS* JKGP* IP* I* UGPOHS* QR* SFG* TIHXUINSKNG]* SFG* PSISOSG*

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cKSF*SFG*\HG*TISGUKIHP7

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

<9"2)0'82&)*$)&5'9&2*'96=&>"&$>6"&)'&$82#"%&

$>'9)&5'9%&B$2"

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SQ*TGGS*cKSF*^QO]*^QO*PFQOHJ*\LJ*I*LGc*HIc^GU7

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FIYG*LQ*MOIUILSGG*QR*NQHHGNSKLM* I*RGG*IL*KLNGLSKYG*SQ*SU^*FIUJ*RQU*

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cKHH*ZG*KLRQUTGJ*IZQOS*SFG*PSISOP*QR*^QOU*NIPG*ILJ*^QOU*HIc^GU*

cKHH*FIYG*OXJISGP*IZQOS*^QOU*TGJKNIH*SUGISTGLS7

12 John H. Fisher

+? '#&B$8&D&A")&08('%1$)0'8&$>'9)&15&&

B$2"&'8608";3

&FG* cGZPKSG* QR* SFG* %Gc* :QUW* /SISG* 4LK\GJ* .QOUS* /^PSGT*

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SQ*KLRQUTISKQL*I ZQOS*NIPGP*KL*/OXUGTG *.QOUS*;%Gc*:QUW<P *SUKIH*

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KL* SFG* .I PG* ,GSIKH* /NUGGL7* -R* SFG* JQNOTGLSP* IUG* LQS* IYIKHIZHG*

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KLRQUTISKQL * Z^*SFG*LITG*QR*SFG* XHIKLSKRR*QU*JGRGLJILS*QU* HQQW*

OX*NIPGP*Z^*SFG*'SSQULG^[6KUT*LITG*ILJ*YKGc*SFG*NIHGLJIUP*RQU*

GINF*NQOUS7

9KSF*9GZ.KYKH]* IL^QLG* NIL* NUGISG* IL* Gi&UINW* INNQOLS]* cFKNF*

cKHH*XUQYKJG*^QO*cKSF*GiTIKH*OXJISGP*ILJ*IXXGIUILNG*UGTKLJGUP*

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IOSQTISKNIHH^*MGLGUISGJ*GYGU^*SKTG*SFG*NQOUS*PSIRR*OXJISGP*I*NIPG*

KL* SFGKU*NQTXOSGU*P^PSGT7*'HH* NQOUSP*KL*%Gc*:QUW*IUG*OXJISGJ*IS*

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:QO*NIL*IHPQ*OPG*9GZ.KYKH*SQ*NFGNW*SFG*PSISOP*QR*I*JGRGLJILS<P*

HIcPOKS]*PONF*IP*SFG*XF^PKNKIL*KLYQHYGJ*KL*^QOU*NIPG7*,GNKPKQLP*QL*

QSFGU*HIcPOKSP*TI^*FIYG*I*ZGIUKLM*QL*^QOU*NIPG]*PQ*KS*XI^P*SQ*WGGX*

OXiSQiJISG*QL*NIPGP*KLYQHYKLM*^QOU*XF^PKNKIL*QU*FQPXKSIH7

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

+D&*$)"&15&$))'%8"5E&4*$)&B$8&D&='&$>'9)&0);3

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JKPFQLGPS*QU*FKJKLM*KLRQUTISKQL*RUQT*^QO*ILJ*^QO*RGGH*SFIS*SFGUG*

KP* LQ* SUOPS* HGRS* KL* ^QOU* ISSQULG^iNHKGLS* UGHISKQLPFKX]* SFGL* Z^* IHH*

TGILP*\UG*SFG*HIc^GU*ILJ*SIWG*SFG*SKTG*SQ*\LJ*SFG*UKMFS*HIc^GU*

RQU*^QOU*NIPG7

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QLNG*SFG*HIcPOKS*KL*^QOU*NIPG*FIP*ZGGL*\HGJ7*:QOU*HIc^GU*TOPS*\UPS*

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RUQT*SFG*.QOUS*SQ*SGUTKLISG*SFG*UGHISKQLPFKX7

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-R* ^QO* FIYG* SQ* OLJGUMQ* I* ZUIKL* QXGUISKQL]* cQOHJ* ^QO* cILS* I*

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XUKLNKXHG*IXXHKGP*SQ*HIc^GUP7

14 John H. Fisher

-R*^QOU*NIPG*KLYQHYGJ*ZUIKL*JITIMG*SQ*I*ZIZ^*NIOPGJ*Z^*SUIOTI*

IS*ZKUSF]*SFGL*KLSGUYKGc*HIc^GUP*ILJ*IPW*SFGT1*2Qc*TIL^*ZUIKLi

JITIMGJ* ZIZ^* NIPGP* FIYG* ^QO* FILJHGJV* 9FIS* XGUNGLSIMG* QR*

^QOU*HIc*XUINSKNG*KP*JGYQSGJ*SQ*TGJKNIH*TIHXUINSKNG*NIPGV*9FIS*

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IS* ZKUSFV*9FIS* KP* SFG* SQSIH* LOTZGU* QR* NIPGP* ^QO* FIYG* FILJHGJ*

KLYQHYKLM*ZIZKGP*KLaOUGJ*IS*ZKUSFV

&FG* HIc^GU* TI^* UGPXQLJ* SFIS* FIHR* QR* FKP* SKTG* KP* JGJKNISGJ* SQ*

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QR* ZUIKLiJITIMGJ* ZIZ^* NIPGP* KL* T^* NIUGGU* ILJ* -* IT* NOUUGLSH^*

FILJHKLM*PGYGUIH*ZUIKLiJITIMGJ*ZIZ^*NIPGP7*&FKP*KP*^QOU*TILn

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PGSSHG*RQU*XGLLKGP*QL*SFG*JQHHIU]*ILJ*SFG^*IHPQ*WLQc*SFIS*UGXOSIZHG*

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SQ*SUKIH7*)GPPQL1*2KUG*SFG*?&$*HIc*\UTP@*IS*^QOU*QcL*XGUKH7

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

+4*$)&='&D&='&0(&15&6$#5"%&:%'102"2&1"&&

)*"&1''8;3

+IL^*HIc^GUP*cKHH*XUQTKPG*I*FOMG*PGSSHGTGLS*SQ*SFGKU*LGc*NHKGLSP*

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JQHHIU*\MOUGP*IHcI^P*KTXUGPP*LGc*NHKGLSP7*%Gc*NHKGLSP*IUG*IHcI^P*

KTXUGPPGJ*Z^*SFG*FKMF*\MOUGP*SQPPGJ*IUQOLJ*Z^*SFGKU*HIc^GU*ILJ*

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cKHH*cKL*SFG*aINWXQS7

-R*SFKP*FIXXGLP*SQ*^QO]*UOL*RQU*SFG*JQQUn*-S*KP*KTXQPPKZHG*RQU*I*HIc^GU*

SQ*GPSKTISG*SFG*YIHOG*QR*^QOU*NIPG*cFGL*^QO*\UPS*TGGS*cKSF*FKT7*

&FG*HIc^GU*KP*IHTQPS*IHcI^P*OLIZHG*SQ*IPPGPP*SFG*XGUTILGLN^*QR*

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cFQ*XUQTKPG*^QO*SFG*TQQL7*&FGUG*IUG*LQ*MOIUILSGGP*KL*XGUPQLIH*

KLaOU^*HKSKMISKQL7

16 John H. Fisher

+D&$1&8')&)*"&)5:"&'(&:"%2'8&)'&29"E&G'"28H)&

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HKSKMISG*QYGU*TKLQU*KLaOUKGP*ILJ*JKPXOSGP*IUG*LQS*SFG*NHKGLSP*SFIS*-*

cILS*SQ*UGXUGPGLS7*

BEk* QR* SFG* XQXOHISKQL* KP* LQS* SFG* ?S^XG* QR* XGUPQL* SQ* POG7@*

2QcGYGU]* cFGL* ^QO* QU* ^QOU* HQYGJ* QLG* FIP* ZGGL* KLaOUGJ*

SFUQOMF* SFG* LGMHKMGLNG* QR* ILQSFGU* XGUPQL]* ^QO* FIYG* ZIPKN*

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cIMGP* IUG* UGNQYGUGJ]* ROSOUG* TGJKNIH* GbXGLPGP* IUG* XIKJh

ILJ* KR* SFGUG* KP* I* XF^PKNIH* JKPIZKHKS^]* ^QO* TOPS* GLPOUG* SFIS* ^QO*

QU* ^QOU* HQYGJ* QLG* KP* NQTXGLPISGJ* RQU* SFG* JUITISKN* NFILMG**

KL*^QOU*HKRG7

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

&FGUG* IUG* I* LOTZGU* QR* RINSQUP* SFIS* GbXHIKL* SFG* JOUISKQL* QR* I*

HIcPOKS]*ZOS* SFG*ScQ*ZKMMGPS* UGIPQLP* IUG1* ;8=* SFG* KLPOUGU*QR* SFG*

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cIKS*OLSKH*SFG*HIPS*TQTGLS*ZGRQUG*SFG^*FIYG*SQ*JGNKJG*cFGSFGU*SQ*

PGSSHG*SFG*NIPGl*ILJ*;A=*PQTG*NQOLSKGP*FIYG*cI^*SQQ*TIL^*NIPGP*

UGHISKYG*SQ*SFG*LOTZGU*QR*aOJMGP]*UGPOHSKLM*KL*HQLM*JGHI^P*KL*MGSSKLM*

NIPGP*PNFGJOHGJ*RQU*SUKIH7*:QO*TI^*IPW*SFG*NQOUS*RQU*I*SUKIH*JISG*ILJ*

UGNGKYG*I*JISG*RQU*SFG*SUKIH*SFIS*KP*I*^GIU*QU*TQUG*JQcL*SFG*UQIJ7

&FGUG* KP* QLG* PKTXHG* ILPcGU* SQ* SFKP* XUQZHGT1* \HG* SFG* HIcPOKS*

IP*PQQL*IP*KS*KP*JGSGUTKLGJ* SFIS * SFG*NIPG*FIP*TGUKS*I LJ*TIWG*

POUG* SFIS* SFG* NQOUS* KTXQ PGP* JG IJHK LGP* RQU* GYGU^* PSGX* QR* SFG*

HIcPOKS]*PONF*I P*PXGNK\N*JISGP*RQU*JGXQPKSKQLP]*JGRGLPG*TGJKNIH*

GbITKLISKQ LP* ILJ* SFG* GbNFILMG* QR* JKPNQYGU^* UGPXQLPGP7*&FKP*

cKHH*XUGYGLS*SFG*HIcPOKS*RUQT*SFG*KLGYKSIZHG*JGHI^P*XUGPGLSGJ*Z^*

JGRGLPG*ISSQULG^P*ILJ*SFGKU*KLPOUGUP*ILJ*WGGX*SFG*NIP G*QL*SFG*

XUQYGUZKIH*?RIPS*SUINW@*SQ*SUKIH7

0GGX*SFKP* KL*TKLJ1*SFG*JGRGLPG*cKHH* LQS*PGSSHG*^QOU*NIPG*OLSKH*^QO*

MGS*SQ*SUKIH7*-R*^QO*SFKLW*SFG*JGRGLPG*cKHH*cILS*SQ*PGSSHG*IP*PQQL*IP*

^QOU*HIcPOKS*KP*\HGJ]*QU*IRSGU*SFG*JGXQPKSKQLP*FIYG*ZGGL*NQTXHGSGJ]*

RQUMGS*KSn*6QU*SFKP*UGIPQL]*^QO*LGGJ*SQ*TIWG*POUG*SFIS*^QOU*HIc^GUP*

WGGX*^QOU*NIPG*QL*SFG*RIPS*SUINW*SQ*SUKIH*ILJ*RQNOP*QL*UGXUGPGLSKLM*

^QO*IS*SFG*SUKIHhLQS*PKTXH^*PGSSHKLM*RQU*cFISGYGU*SFG^*NIL*MGS7

18 John H. Fisher

+?'#&='&D&78'#&0(&15&6$#5"%&>"60"I"2&08&

15&B$2";3

+IL^*?&$*HIc*\UTP@*INNGXS*FOLJUGJP*KR*LQS*SFQOPILJP*QR*NIPGP]*

cKSF* SFG* MQIH*QR* PGSSHKLM* SFG*NIPGP* KL* YGU^*HKSSHG* SKTG* ILJ*RQU* I*

TKLKTIH*POT*QR*TQLG^7*&FKP*P^PSGT*KP*I*TQLG^iTIWKLM*TINFKLG*

RQU*SFG*?&$*HIc*\UTP7@*&FG*?&$*HIc*\UTP@*PXGLJ*HKSSHG*SKTG*ILJ*

TQLG^*QL* SFGKU* NIPGP* ILJ* IP* I* UGPOHS]* SFG^*FIYG*HKSSHG*SQ*HQPG*KR*

SFG^*IUG*OLIZHG*SQ*PGSSHG*I*NIPG7* -L*TIL^*NIPGP]*SFG*?&$*HIc* \UT@*

cKHH*PGSSHG*^QOU*NIPG*RQU*?XGLLKGP*QL*SFG*JQHHIU]@*QU*I*RUINSKQL*QR*

SFG*SUOG*cQUSF*QR*^QOU*NIPG7*4HSKTISGH^]* KR* SFG*?&$*HIc*\UT@*KP*

OLIZHG*SQ*PGSSHG*I*NIPG]*SFG^*UGRGU*KS*SQ*I*HKSKMISKQL*HIc*\UT*SFIS*KP*

GbXGUKGLNGJ*ZUKLMKLM*NIPGP*SQ*SUKIH*ILJ*TIbKTKmKLM*SFG*YIHOG*QR*

SFGKU*NIPGP7

&FG* HKSKMISKQL* HIc* \UT* KP* RIU* JKRRGUGLS* RUQT* SFG*?&$* HIc* \UT@*

KL* I* TIaQU* UGPXGNS1* HKSKMISKQL* HIc* \UTP* MGLGUIHH^* 2,=7'0* TQLG^*

KL* SFGKU* NIPGP]* \LJKLM* SFG* ZGPS* GbXGUS* cKSLGPPGP* ILJ* XUGXIUKLM*

JGTQLPSUISKYG*GbFKZKSP*ILJ*NQTXOSGU*ILKTISKQLP*RQU*SUKIH7*

-R* ^QO* cILS* SQ* \LJ* QOS* KR* ^QOU* HIc^GU* NIUGP* IZQOS* ^QOU* NIPG]*

IPW* FKT* RQU* I* HKPS* QR* SFG* GbXGLPGP* ;NIPG* GbXGLPGP* IUG* NIHHGJ*

?JKPZOUPGTGLSP@=]*SFIS*FG*FIP*KLNOUUGJ*cFKHG*FILJHKLM*^QOU*NIPG7*

'S*SFG*GLJ*QR*SFG*NIPG ]* ^QO*IUG*UGPXQLPKZHG*SQ*UGKTZOUPG*^QOU*

HIc^GU*RQU*FKP*GbXGLPGP]*ILJ*SFGUGRQUG]*^QO*IUG*GLSKSHGJ*SQ*MGS*IL*

KSGTKmGJ*HKPS* QR* NIPG*GbXGLPGP*RUQT*^QOU*HIc^GU*cFGLGYGU]* ILJ*

IP*RUGdOGLSH^]*IP* ^QO*cILS7* -R*SFG* HIc^GU*UGROPGP*SQ*MKYG*^QO*IL*

KSGTKmGJ*HKPS*QR*SFG*GbXGLPGP]*KS*KP*SKTG*SQ*\LJ*I*LGc*HIc^GU7

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

-R*^QO*MGS*IL*KSGTKmGJ*HKPS*QR*SFG*HIc^GU<P*GbXGLPGP*QL*^QOU*NIPG]*

NFGNW*SQ*PGG*FQc*TIL^*GbXGUS*cKSLGPPGP*SFG*HIc^GU*FIP*UGSIKLGJ]*

ILJ*SFG*TQLG^*SFIS*FG*FIP*PXGLS*QL*^QOU*NIPG7*-R*SFG*HIc^GU*FIP*

PXGLS*I*YGU^*PTIHH*POT*QR*TQLG^*QL*^QOU*NIPG ]*QU*SFGUG*IUG*HQLM*

XGUKQJP*QR*SKTG*cFGUG*LQ*TQLG^*FIP*ZGGL*PXGLS*QL*^QOU*NIPG*

;K7G7]*RQOU*TQLSFP*QU*HQLMGU=]*FG*KP*OLcKHHKLM*SQ*KLYGPS*KL*^QOU*NIPG*

ILJ*^QO*PFQOHJ*\LJ*I*LGc*HIc^GU7*:QO*cILS*I*HIc^GU*cFQ*KP*cKHHKLM*

SQ*KLYGPS*KL*^QOU*NIPGhSFKP*TGILP*SFIS*SFG*HIc^GU*HKWGP*^QOU*NIPG*

ILJ*ZGHKGYGP*^QO*cKHH*OHSKTISGH^*UGNQYGU*TQLG^*SFIS*cKHH*XI^*FKT*

ZINW*KL*PXIJGP7

+4*'&1$7"2&)*"&="B020'8&#*")*"%&)'&2"))6";3

:QO*JQn*:QOU*HIc^GU*KP*PKTXH^*INSKLM*IP*^QOU*IMGLS*ILJ* FG*NILLQS*

RQUNG* ^QO* SQ* PGSSHG* ^QOU* NIPG7* -R* ^QOU* HIc^GU* KP* RQUNKLM* ^QO* SQ*

PGSSHG]*^QO*PFQOHJ*\LJ*ILQSFGU*HIc^GU7

'*cIULKLM*PKML*SFIS*^QO*TI^*LGGJ*I*LGc*HIc^GU*QNNOUP*cFGL*SFG*

HIc^GU*IPWP*^QO*SQ*XI^*RQU*SFG*NQPSP*QR*^QOU*SUKIH]*PONF*IP*SFG*NQPS*

QR*I*TGJKNIH*GbXGU S7*&FKP*KP*I*UGJ*rIMn*3QQJ*HIc^GUP*cKHH*LQS*IPW*

^QO*SQ*XI^*RQU*SFG*NQPSP*QR*^QOU*NIPG*KL*IJYILNG7*-R*SFG^*JQ]*^QO*

PFQOHJ*IPW*SFG*HIc^GU*cF^*SFG^*cILS*^QO*SQ*XI^*RQU*SFG*NQPSP*QR*

SFG*GbXGUS*LQc]*ZOS*LGYGU*SQHJ*^QO*SFIS*^QO*cQOHJ*ZG*UGPXQLPKZHG*

RQU*SFG*NQPSP*cFGL*^QO*\UPS*TGS*cKSF*FKT7*-S*KP*YGU^*HKWGH^*SFIS*^QOU*

HIc^GU*LQ*HQLMGU*cILSP*SQ*FILJHG*^QOU*NIPG*;XUQZIZH^*ZGNIOPG*FG*

NQOHJ*LQS* PGSSHG*KS=*ILJ*FG*cILSP*^QO*SQ*INNGXS*I*PTIHH*PGSSHGTGLS*

QRRGU*PQ*FG*NIL*TQYG*QL*SQ*QSFGU*NIPGP7

20 John H. Fisher

+?'#&02&)*"&I$69"&'(&15&B$2"&="B0="=;3

&FGUG*IUG*SFUGG*RINSQUP1*;I=*PGYGUKS^*QR*SFG*KLaOU^*;RQU*GbITXHG]*

SFG* HQPP* QR* IL* IUT* KP* TQUG* PKMLK\NILS* SFIL* I* PXUIKLGJ* cUKPS=l*

;Z=*JOUISKQL*QR*SFG*KLaOU^*;I*XGUTILGLS]*HKRGiHQLM*KLaOU^*KP*TQUG*

PKMLK\NILS* SFIL* I* SGTXQUIU^* KLaOU^* SFIS* UGPQHYGP=l* ILJ* ;N=* SFG*

NQLPGdOGLNGP*QR*SFG*KLaOU^]*PONF*IP*I*SQSIH*KLIZKHKS^*SQ*cQUW*ILJ*

XHI^*NQTXIUGJ*SQ*I*XIUSKIH*HKTKS*QR*^QOU*IZKHKS^*SQ*cQUW7

-* SIWG* KLSQ* NQLPKJGUISKQL* SFG* GNQLQTKN* HQPPGP]* PONF* IP* HQPP* QR*

cIMGP*ILJ*XIPS*ILJ*ROSOUG*TGJKNIH*GbXGLPGP]*ILJ*LQLiGNQLQTKN*

HQPPGP7*9FKHG*GNQLQTKN*HQPPGP*NIL*ZG*POZPSILSKIH]*XIUSKNOHIUH^*cFGL*

I*ZIZ^*PORRGUP*XGUTILGLS*KLaOUKGP*IS*ZKUSF]*SFG*TQPS* TGILKLMROH*

HQPP*KP*SFG*NFILMG*KL*dOIHKS^*QR*HKRG7*'*NFKHJ*PORRGUKLM*RUQT*PXIPSKN*

dOIJUKXHGMKI*RINGP*I* HKRG*KL*I*cFGGHNFIKU* ILJ* cKHH*LGYGU* XHI^*ZIHH*

cKSF*FKP*RUKGLJP]*MQ*SQ*I*XUQT*JOUKLM*FKMF*PNFQQH]*QU*cIHW*JQcL*

SFG*IKPHG*IS*I*cGJJKLM7*&FGPG*IUG*SFG*UGIH*HQPPGP7

&FG* TGJKIL* ILJ* TGIL* TGJKNIH* TIHXUINSKNG* XI^TGLS* ITQOLSP*

RQU*XF^PKNKILP*KL*A__e*cGUG*`8D>]___*ILJ*`C88]Be>]*UGPXGNSKYGH^7*

3GLGUIHH^*RQU*TIHXUINSKNG* XI^TGLS*JISI* SFG*TGJKIL* KP*I* ZGSSGU*

KLJKNISQU*QR* SFG*?IYGUIMG@*QU*S^XKNIH*XI^TGLS* SFIL* KP*SFG* TGIL*

PKLNG*SFG*TGIL*KP*PWGcGJ*Z^*I*YGU^*RGc*HIUMG*XI^TGLSP7

+4*$)&02&$&60"8&$8=&#*5&2*'96=&D&B$%"&$>'9)&0);3

+GJKNIUG* ILJ* +GJKNIKJ* cKHH*HKWGH^* FIYG*SFGKU* FILJP* QOS* RQU* SFGKU*

TQLG^*KR*^QO*UGNQ YGU*TQLG^*KL*^QOU*NIPG7*

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

(^*RGJGUIH*HIc]*+GJKNIUG*ILJ*+GJKNIKJ*FIYG*I*HKGL*SQ*UGNQYGU*IL^*

GbXGLPGP* SFG^* FIYG* XIKJ* UGHISKLM* SQ*SFG* KLaOUKGP* SFIS* ^QO* POPSIKL*

IUKPKLM*RUQT*TIHXUINSKNG7*&FKP*TGILP*SFIS*+GJKNIUG*ILJ[QU*+GJKNIKJ*

cKHH*HKWGH^*cILS*I*XKGNG*QR*SFG*TQLG^*SFIS*^QO*UGNQYGU*KL*^QOU*HIcPOKS*

KR*SFG^*FIYG*GbXGLJGJ*TQLG^*R QU*^ QOU*TGJKNIH*GbXGLPGP7

-LPSGIJ*QR*cIKSKLM*OLSKH*SFG*GLJ*QR*^QOU*NIPG*SQ*IJJUGPP*HKGLP]*^QOU*

HIc^GU*PFQOHJ*cQUW*QL*\LJKLM*QOS*cFGSFGU*SFGUG*cKHH*ZG*I*HKGL*ILJ*

SFG*ITQOLS*QR*SFG*HKGL*GIUH^*KL*^QOU*NIPG7*:QO*PFQOHJ*IPW*^QOU*HIc^GU1*

'UG*SFGUG*IL^*HKGLP*ILJ*KR*PQ]*FQc*TONF*IUG*SFG^V*:QO*cILS*SQ*WLQc*

FQc*TONF*^QO*cKHH*FIYG*SQ*XI^*+GJKNIUG*ILJ*+GJKNIKJ*IS*SFG*GLJ*QR*

^QOU*NIPG7*-R*^QOU*HIc^GU*KP*OLIZHG*SQ*ILPcGU*SFGPG*dOGPSKQLP]*^QO**

PFQOHJ*ZG*NQLNGULGJ7

,*"&'865&)*08A&)*$)&)%965&1$))"%2J&5'9%&&

8")&%"B'I"%5

:QOU*,70# %75"=7%<*KP*SFG* QLH^*SFKLM* SFIS*SUOH^*TISSGUP7*:QOU*?LGS*

UGNQYGU^@*TGILP*SFG*ITQOLS*QR*TQLG^*SFIS*MQGP*KL*^QOU*XQNWGS*

IRSGU*SFG*XI^TGLS*QR*HGMIH*RGGP]*GbXGLPGP]*ILJ*HKGLP7*-R*SFG*HIc^GUP*

ILJ*FGIHSF*KLPOUGUP*MGS*XIKJ*cKSF*HKSSHG*HGRS*RQU*^QO]*SFG*HKSKMISKQL*

FIP*RIKHGJ7

9FGL*^QOU*HIc^GU*SGHHP*^QO*IZQOS*I*PGSSHGTGLS*QRRGU]*^QO*PFQOHJ*

IPW* FKT1*9FIS* cKHH* ZG* T^*?LGS*UGNQYGU^@* KR* -* INNGXS* SFKP* QRRGUV*

:QO* PFQOHJ* IPW* SFG* HIc^GU* RQU*SFG* ITQOLS* QR* SFG* ;I=* HGMIH* RGG]*

;Z=*NIPG*GbXGLPGP]*ILJ*;N=*IL^*HKGLP*cFKNF*TOPS*ZG*XIKJ*RUQT*SFG*

PGSSHGTGLS*TQLG^7*'RSGU*JGJONSKLM*SFG*HGMIH*RGG]*NIPG*GbXGLPGP*ILJ*

22 John H. Fisher

IL^*HKGLP*RUQT*SFG*PGSSHGTGLS*QRRGU]*^QO*cKHH*ZG*IZHG*SQ*JGSGUTKLG*

SFG*ITQOLS*QR*^QOU*LGS*UGNQYGU^7*&FG*LGS*UGNQYGU^*KP*SFG*QLH^*

LOTZGU* SFIS* PFQOHJ* TISSGU* SQ* ^QO]* PQ* TIWG* POUG* ^QOU* HIc^GU*

XUQYKJGP*SFIS*\MOUG*SQ*^QO*cFGLGYGU*I*PGSSHGTGLS*QRRGU*KP*TIJG7

+D(&D&@%"&15&6$#5"%F&='&D&2)066&*$I"&)'&:$5&*01&$&

:"%B"8)$A"&'(&)*"&6"A$6&(""&$)&)*"&"8=&'(&&

)*"&B$2";3

%Qn* -R* ^QO* \UG* ^QOU* HIc^GU]* ^QO* FIYG* SFG* UKMFS* SQ* KLPKPS* SFIS*

SFG* HIc^GU* XUQYKJG* ^QO*cKSF* IL* KSGTKmGJ* HKPS* PFQcKLM*SFG* HGMIH*

PGUYKNGP*XGURQUTGJ*Z^*SFG*HIc^GU*QL*^QOU*NIPG7*9FGL*^QO*\UG*

SFG*HIc^GU]*^QO*FIYG*SFG*UKMFS*SQ*JGSGUTKLG*cFGSFGU*SFG*HIc^GU*

KP*XIKJ*INNQUJKLM*SQ*SFG*SQSIH*LOTZGU*QR*FQOUP*cQUWGJ*QL*^QOU*

NIPG*;SFKP*KP*NIHHGJ*SFG*?XGU*JKGT*UISG@=]*QU*I*XGUNGLSIMG*QR*SFG*

HGMIH*RGG7

-L*IHTQPS*GYGU^*NIPG]*SFG*RQUTGU*ISSQULG^*cKHH*KLPKPS*SFIS*FKP*cQUW*

UGPOHSGJ*KL*SFG*TQPS*KTXQUSILS*NQLSUKZOSKQLP*SQ*^QOU*NIPG*ILJ*SFIS*

FG*KP*GLSKSHGJ*SQ*I*HIUMG*XGUNGLSIMG*QR*SFG*SQSIH*HGMIH*RGG*IS*SFG*GLJ*

QR*^QOU*NIPG7*:QO*FQHJ*IHH*QR*SFG*NIUJP*cFGL*^QO*\UG*^QOU*HIc^GU*ILJ*

^QO*PFQOHJ*KLPKPS*SFIS*FG*XUQYKJG*SFG*KSGTKmGJ*HKPS*QR*HGMIH*PGUYKNGP*

SFIS*FG*XGURQUTGJ*ILJ*SFIS*^QO*cILS*SQ*XI^*SFG*?XGU*JKGT*UISG@**

RQU*SFQPG*PGUYKNGP7

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

+D(&D&6'2"&15&B$2"F&='&D&'#"&5'9&$85&1'8"5;3

-S* JGXGLJP7*&FG* UGSIKLGU* IMUGGTGLS* SFIS* ^QO* PKML* cKHH* PXGNKR^*

cFGSFGU* ^QO* IUG* UGPXQLPKZHG* RQU* UGKTZOUPKLM* ^QOU* HIc^GU* RQU*

FKP*GbXGLPGP*IS*SFG*GLJ*QR*SFG*NIPG7*&FG*UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGLS*TI^*

PSISG* SFIS* ^QO* IUG* UGPXQLPKZHG* SQ* UGKTZOUPG* SFG* HIc^GU* IS* SFG*

GLJ*QR*SFG*NIPG*UGMIUJHGPP*QR*cFGSFGU*^QO*cKL*QU*HQPG*^QOU*NIPG7*

&FKP* NQOHJ* ZG* JGYIPSISKLM* RQU* ^QO]* IP* SFG* NIPG* GbXGLPGP* QRSGL*

GbNGGJ*`>_]___]*ILJ*^QO*TI^*LQS*ZG*IZHG*SQ*IRRQUJ*`>__]*TONF*

HGPP*`>_]___7

+QPS*NHKGLSP*PKTXH^*PKML*SFG*UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGLS*cKSFQOS*UGIJKLM*KS*

ILJ*SFGL*HQPG*SFG*UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGLS7*:QO*PFQOHJ*WGGX*IL*QUKMKLIH]*

ROHH^*PKMLGJ*UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGLS*KL*I*PIRG*HQNISKQL]*G7M7]*PIRGS^*JGXQPKS*

ZQb]*SFUQOMFQOS*SFG*HIcPOKS7*'S*SFG*GLJ*QR*SFGKU*NIPG]*NHKGLSP*IUG*

QRSGL*OLIcIUG*QR*SFG*XGUNGLSIMG*QR*SFG*HGMIH*RGG*;TQPS*IPPOTG*KS*

KP*QLGiSFKUJ*HGMIH*RGG]*cFKNF*KP*XUQFKZKSGJ*KL*TGJKNIH*TIHXUINSKNG*

NIPGP*KL*%Gc*:QUW=*ILJ*SFG^*IUG*LQS*IcIUG*QR*FQc*SFG*HGMIH*RGG*

KP*NIHNOHISGJ7*&FG*ILPcGUP*SQ*SFGPG*dOGPSKQLP*NIL*ZG*RQOLJ*KL*SFG*

UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGLS7

:QO* TOPS* UGIJ* SFG* UGSIKLGU* IMUGGTGLS* YGU^* NIUGROHH^7* 9FGL*

^QO* UGIJ* SFG* UGSIKLGU* IMUGGTGLS]* TIWG* POUG* SFIS* SFG* UGSIKLGU*

IMUGGTGLS*KP*NU^PSIH*NHGIU*IP*SQ*cFGSFGU*^QO* cKHH*ZG*UGPXQLPKZHG*

RQU*NIPG*GbXGLPGP*GYGL*KR*^QO*JQ*LQS*cKL*^QOU*NIPG7

'SSQULG^P*KL*%Gc*:QUW*IUG*G SFKN IHH^*XGUTKSSGJ*SQ*PSISG*KL*SFG*

UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGLS*SFIS*SFG*ISSQULG^*cKHH*IJYILNG*SFG*Gb XGLP GP*

QR*SFG*NIPG*cKSFQOS *IL^*GbXGNSI SKQL *QR*UGKTZOUPGTGLS*RUQT*SFG*

24 John H. Fisher

NHKGLS*KL*SFG*GYGLS*SFG*NIPG*KP*HQPS7*-R*PONF*I*NHIOPG*KP*NQLS IKLG J*

KL*^QO U*UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGL S]*^QO*NILLQS*ZG*FGHJ*UGPXQLPKZH G*RQU*

SFG*NIPG*GbXGLP GP*KR*SFG*NIPG*KP*HQPS7*-R]*Q L*SFG*QSFGU*FILJ]*SFG*

UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGLS*XUQYKJGP*SFIS*^QO*IUG*OHSKTISGH^*UGPXQLPKZHG*

RQU*SF G*NIPG*GbXGLPGP]*cKL *QU*HQPG]*SFGL*SFG*HIc^GU*NIL*IPW*^QO*

SQ*XI^*RQU*SFG*NQPSP*IS*SFG* GLJ*QR*SFG*SUKIH]*GYGL*KR*^QO*HQPG*ILJ*

FIYG*LQ*TQLG^7*

+4*$)&0(&15&6$#5"%&$272&1"&)'&:$5&('%&)*"&B$2"&

"K:"82"2&L92)&>"('%"&)%0$6;3

(GRQUG*^QO*JQ*IL^SFKLM]*UGIJ*SFG*UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGLS*NIUGROHH^7*-R*

SFG*UGSIKLGU*IMUGGTGLS*PSISGP*SFIS* ^QOU*ISSQULG^*TI^*IPW*^QO*SQ*

XI^*SFG*GbXGLPGP*QR*SFG*SUKIH]*SFGL*SFG*ISSQULG^*NIL*IPW*^QO*SQ*XI^*

SFG*NQPSP*QR*TGJKNIH*GbXGUSP*ILJ*QSFGU*NQPSP*QR*SFG*SUKIH7*

-R* SFG* UGSIKLGU* IMUGGTGLS* JQGP* LQS* PSISG* SFIS* ^QO* TI^* ZG*

UGPXQLPKZHG*SQ*XI^*2,#+3=+,57*SFG*NQPSP*QR*SFG*SUKIH]*SFG*ISSQULG^*

NILLQS*IPW*^QO*SQ*XI^*SFG*ZKHH7*

+4*$)&0(&15&6$#5"%&#'8H)&%")9%8&15&&

:*'8"&B$662;3

&FGUG*TKMFS*ZG* I* MQQJ*UGIPQL7* -R* SFG*HIc^GU*KP* ZOP^* KL*SUKIH*QL*

ILQSFGU*NIPG]*^QO*cILS*SFG*HIc^GU*SQ*ZG*NQTXHGSGH^*RQNOPGJ*QL*

SFIS*NIPG]*ILJ*FG*PFQOHJ*LQS*ZG*UGSOULKLM*XFQLG*TGPPIMGP*JOUKLM*

SFG*SUKIH7

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

/OMMGPSKQL1*-R*^QO*IUG*FIYKLM*SUQOZHG*MGSSKLM*^QOU*HIc^GU*SQ*UGSOUL*

^QOU*XFQLG*TGPPIMGP]*IPW*RQU*IL*IXXQKLSTGLS*SQ*TGGS*cKSF*^QOU*

HIc^GU*RING*SQ*RING*IS*FKP*QR\NG7*3QQJ*HIc^GUP*OPOIHH^*TGGS*cKSF*

SFGKU*NHKGLSP]*QU*IS*HGIPS*PXGIW*QYGU*SFG*XFQLG*cKSF*SFGKU*NHKGLSP]*IS*

HGIPS*QLNG*GYGU^*ScQ*QU*SFUGG*TQLSFP*SQ*MGS*OXJISGP*IZQOS*SFGKU*

NHKGLS<P*TGJKNIH*SUGISTGLS7*-R*^QOU*HIc^GU*KP*LQS*cKHHKLM*SQ*TGGS*

cKSF*^QO]*^QO*PFQOHJ*\LJ*I*LGc*HIc^GU7

'S*SFG*TGGSKLM*cKSF*^QOU*HIc^GU]*IPW*FKT*SQ*MKYG*^QO*IL*OXJISG*

IZQOS*GYGU^SFKLM*SFIS*FG*FIP*JQLG*cKSF*^QOU*\HG*PKLNG*^QO*HIPS*

PXQWG7*:QO* TI^* cILS* SQ* IPW1* 2IYG* JGXQPKSKQLP* ZGGL* PNFGJOHGJ*

ILJ*KR*PQ]*cFGL*cKHH*SFG^*ZG*FGHJV*2IYG*IHH*JKPNQYGU^*JGTILJP*ILJ*

UGPXQLPGP*ZGGL*GbNFILMGJ*ITQLM*SFG*ISSQULG^PV*9FGL*cKHH*^QO*

\HG*I*LQSG*QR*KPPOG*UGdOGPSKLM*I*SUKIH*JISGV*-R*SFG*HIc^GU*JQGP*LQS*

MKYG*NHGIU*ILPcGUP*SQ*SFGPG*dOGPSKQLP]*^QO*LGGJ*SQ*\LJ*QOS*cF^*

ZGNIOPG*KS*TI^*ZG*SKTG*SQ*\LJ*I*LGc*HIc^GU7

:QO*PFQOHJ*IPW*^QOU*HIc^GU*SQ*XUQYKJG*^QO*cKSF*IHH*QR*SFG*JKPNQYGU^*

UGPXQLPGP* ILJ* JGTILJP* SFIS* FIYG* ZGGL* GbNFILMGJ* ITQLM* SFG*

HIc^GUP7*:QO* IUG* GLSKSHGJ* SQ* SFGPG* JQNOTGLSP]* ILJ* SFG* HIc^GU*

PFQOHJ*ZG*MUISGROH* SFIS*^QO* cILS*SQ*WLQc*IP*TONF*IP*XQPPKZHG*

IZQOS*^QOU*NIPG7*'*cGHHiKLRQUTGJ*NHKGLS*FIP*RIU*RGcGU*LGGJP*ILJ*

XHINGP*RGcGU*JGTILJP*OXQL*SFG*HIc^GU7

+4*$)&*$::"82&)'&)*"&1'8"5&)*$)&D&%"B'I"%;3

-L* SFG* YIPS* TIaQUKS^* QR* NIPGP]* XGUPQLP* cFQ* POJJGLH^* UGNGKYG* I*

POZPSILSKIH*POT*QR*TQLG^]*JQ*GbINSH^*SFG*PITG*SFKLM1*SFG^*MQ*QL*I*

26 John H. Fisher

PXGLJKLM*PXUGG*ILJ*FIYG*LQSFKLM*cKSFKL*I*^GIU]*MKYG*QU*SIWG*I*RGc*

TQLSFP7*5R*NQOUPG]*LQ*QLG*SFKLWP*SFKP*cKHH*FIXXGL*SQ*SFGT7*2Qc*

TIL^*SKTGP*FIYG*-*FGIUJ]*?-<T*LQS*SFIS*WKLJ*QR*XGUPQL@]*QU*?&FIS*

cQL<S*FIXXGL*SQ*TG7@*9GHH]*MOGPP*IMIKL]*KS*cKHH*FIXXGL*SQ*^QO7

+IL^*HIc^GUP* cKHH* PKTXH^* FILJ* ^QO*I* NFGNW* cFGL* ^QOU* NIPG* KP*

QYGU*ILJ*PGLJ*^QO*QL*^QOU*cI^7*&FKP*KP*I*MUQPP*JKPPGUYKNG*SQ*^QO*

KL*TQPS* NIPGP]* ZGNIOPG*SFG* YIPS* TIaQUKS^*QR* T^*NHKGLSP* FIYG* LQ*

\LILNKIH*PQXFKPSKNISKQL*ILJ*SFG*QLH^*SFKLM*SFG^*SFKLW*SQ*JQ*cKSF*

SFGKU* TQLG^* KP* PXGLJ* KS7* 5R* NQOUPG]* SFG* TQLG^*ZGHQLMP* SQ* ^QO*

ILJ*^QO*IUG*SFG*QLH^*XGUPQL*cFQ*NIL*JGNKJG* FQc*ILJ*cFGL*SFG*

TQLG^*KP*KLYGPSGJ*QU*PXGLS7

+^*MQIH*RQU*T^*NHKGLSP*KP*YGU^*PKTXHG*QLNG*SFG^*UGNQYGU*TQLG^*

RUQT* SFGKU* HIcPOKS* ILJ* NIL* ZG* JG\LGJ* cKSF* SFUGG* cQUJP1*

!"#/#"$'&-5%*56*.'!-&')7*+^*aQZ*KP*SQ*TIWG*POUG*SFIS*T^*

NHKGLSP* FQHJ* QLSQ* SFGKU* TQLG^* ILJ* FIYG* SFG* ZGLG\SP* QR* SFGKU*

PGSSHGTGLS* QYGU* SFG* NQOUPG* QR* SFGKU* HKRGSKTG7*&FKP* KP* GPXGNKIHH^*

KTXQUSILS*RQU*JKPIZHGJ*NHKGLSP]*cFQ*cKHH*LGGJ*I*PSGIJ^*PSUGIT*QR*

KLNQTG*SQ*XI^*RQU*FQOPGFQHJ*GbXGLPGP]*PXGLJKLM*TQLG^]*TGJKNIH*

ZKHHP*ILJ*POUMGUKGP7*

6QU*BBk*QR*NHKGLSP]*KS*KP*LQS*GLQOMF*SQ*PKTXH^*XHING*SFGKU*ROLJP*

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SQ* SIWG* SFIS* JUGIT* YINISKQL* SQ* jITIKNI]* QU* XOUNFIPG* SFG* LGc*

+GUNGJGPi(GLm7*&FG*ROLJP*TOPS*ZG*PGNOUGJ*cFGUG*SFG^*IUG*PIRG*

RUQT*NUGJKSQUP]*ZOS*TQUG*KTXQUSILSH^]*PIRG*RUQT*SFG*SGTXSISKQL*QR*

SFG*NHKGLS*SQ*UIKJ*SFGT7

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

&FG*ILPcGU*RQU*TIL^*QR*T^*NHKGLSP*KP*I*PSUONSOUGJ*PGSSHGTGLS*SFIS*

XHINGP*SFG*ROLJP*KL*I*HQLMiSGUT*SUOPS*QU*ILLOKS^*SFIS*cKHH*XUQYKJG*

I*PSUGIT*QR*TQLSFH^*KLNQTG*IP*HQLM*IP*SFG*JKPIZHGJ*NHKGLS*KP*IHKYG7*

/ONF*ROLJP* IUG*LQS*POZaGNS* SQ*rONSOISKQLP* KL*SFG* PSQNW*TIUWGS*

ILJ*XUQYKJG*IL*IPPOUILNG*SQ*SFG*NHKGLS*SFIS*FG*cKHH*LGYGU*UOL*QOS*

QR*TQLG^7*'*PSUONSOUGJ*PGSSHGTGLS*cKSF*I*SUOPS*QU*ILLOKS^*KP*SFG*

PIRGPS*ILJ*ZGPS*cI^*SQ*GLPOUG*SFIS*T^*NHKGLSP*MQ*SQ*ZGJ*IS*LKMFS*

WLQcKLM*SFIS*SFGKU*ROLJP*cKHH*LQS*ZG*MQLG*SQTQUUQc7*

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

(#)(*+$,-%!).#$JL

!2I%!-'T$!"#$-'%I2)'3#$3/,1)'+$!/$

Y(/$!"#$2-T"!$!"-'TZ

-LPOUILNG*NQTXILKGP*QXGUISG*OLJGU*SFUGG*ZIPKN*XUKLNKXHGP1*G"85F&

G"6$5&$8=&G"("8=7*5LNG*^QO*INNGXS*SFKP*RINS]*^QO*cKHH*ZGMKL*

SQ*OLJGUPSILJ*FQc*SFG*KLPOUILNG*NQTXIL^*cKHH*FILJHG*^QOU*NIPG7

M96"&NO&('%&)*"&D829%$8B"&C'1:$85J&(#'+&

,QNSQUP* ILJ* FQPXKSIHP* IHTQPS* LGYGU* IJTKS* RIOHS]* GYGL* KL* SFG*

TQPS*QZYKQOP*TGJKNIH*GUUQUP7*-S*KP*GbSUGTGH^*UIUG*SFIS*I*JQNSQU*

QU* FQPXKSIH* cKHH* IJTKS* RIOHS* ILJ* QRRGU*SQ* UGPQHYG* ^QOU* NIPG7*:QO*

cKHH*cKL*TKHHKQLP*KL*SFG*HQSSGU^*ZGRQUG*I*XF^PKNKIL*cKHH*IJTKS*SQ*I*

TGJKNIH*GUUQU7*

&FG*JQNSQUP*ILJ*FQPXKSIHP*KL*TIHXUINSKNG*HIcPOKSP*QRSGL*NQLPXKUG*

LQS* SQ* ZHITG* GINF* QSFGU7* /ONF* XUKYISG* IMUGGTGLSP* ITQLM*

SFG* JQNSQUP* cKHH* ZG* NQLNGIHGJ* RUQT* ^QO7* 2QcGYGU]* KS* KP* I* PIRG*

IPPOTXSKQL* SFIS* GYGL* ZGRQUG* ^QO*\HG* ^QOU* HIcPOKS]* SFG* JQNSQUP*

ILJ*SFGKU*HIc^GUP*IUG*TGGSKLM*KL*XUKYISG*SQ*IMUGG*OXQL*I*PSUISGM^*

RQU*JGRGISKLM*^QOU*NIPG7

E+%,2,>A* /QTG* JQNSQUP* cKHH* IHSGU* SFG* TGJKNIH* UGNQUJP* cKSF*

LQSISKQLP*WLQcL*KL*SFG*TGJKNIH*\GHJ*IP*?.:']@*TGILKLM*?.QYGU*

:QOU*'PP7@*/ONF*.:'*LQSISKQLP*KL*SFG*TGJKNIH*UGNQUJP*NQTTQLH^*

ZHITG* SFG* XISKGLS* RQU* GYGU^SFKLM* SFIS* FIXXGLGJ]* K7G7]* ?XISKGLS*

30 John H. Fisher

UGROPGJ*IJYKNG*SQ*MQ*SQ*#TGUMGLN^*"QQT]@*QU*?XISKGLS*UGROPGP*SQ*

SIWG*TGJKNISKQL7@*

9FKHG*PONF*.:'*LQSISKQLP*TI^*ZG*HGMKSKTISG*KL*PQTG*NIPGP]*SFG^*

IUG*QRSGL*IJJGJ*SQ*SFG*XISKGLS<P*TGJKNIH*UGNQUJP*KTTGJKISGH^*IRSGU*

SFG* XISKGLS*ZUKLMP* I* TIHXUINSKNG*HIcPOKS]* QU*cFGL* SFG* XF^PKNKIL*

ZGHKGYGP*SFIS*I*HIcPOKS*KP*HKWGH^*RQU*SFGKU*TGJKNIH*GUUQU7

!UGPGUYKLM* SFG* TGJKNIH* UGNQUJP* ILJ* JGSGNSKLM* SFG* IHSGUISKQL* QR*

TGJKNIH* UGNQUJP* Z^* JQNSQUP* ILJ* LOUPGP* KP* NUONKIH7*&FG* TGJKNIH*

UGNQUJP*TOPS*ZG*QZSIKLGJ*UKMFS* IcI^*RUQT*IHH* QR*SFG*XF^PKNKILP*

ILJ*FQPXKSIHP*cFGUG*SFG*XISKGLS*UGNGKYGJ*TGJKNIH*SUGISTGLS7*5LNG*

SFG*HIcPOKS*PSIUSP]*SFG*HKWGHKFQQJ*SFIS*SFG*TGJKNIH*UGNQUJP*cKHH*ZG*

IHSGUGJ*SQ*ZHITG*SFG*XISKGLS*KLNUGIPGP7

M96"&NP&('%&)*"&D829%$8B"&C'1:$85J&(#*)+&

&FG*KLPOUILNG*NQTXIL^*cKHH*SU^*SQ*JGHI^*^QOU*NIPG*IS*GYGU^*

QXXQUSOLKS^7*&FKP*KP*cF^*KS*QRSGL*SIWGP*TQUG*SFIL*ScQ*^GIUP*RUQT*

SFG*ZGMKLLKLM*QR*SFG*HIcPOKS*OLSKH*KSP*NQLNHOPKQL7

!2*7# 2'# ,"0# ",# <")%# '2377*9KSF* YGU^* HKTKSGJ* GbNGXSKQLP* PONF* IP*

cUQLMROH*JGISF*INSKQLP]*JQNSQUP*ILJ*FQPXKSIHP*JQ*LQS*XI^*KLSGUGPS*

QL* TQLG^* XUQYKJGJ* SQ* I* XISKGLS* KL* I* PGSSHGTGLS* QU* YGUJKNS7*

&FKP* TGILP* SFIS* JQNSQUP* ILJ* FQPXKSIHP* FIYG* GYGU^* KLNGLSKYG*

SQ* IJaQOUL* ILJ* JGHI^* ^QOU*NIPG* OLSKH* KS* KP* PKTXH^* KTXQPPKZHG* SQ**

JGHI^*ROUSFGU7

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

#YGL*JI^P*ZGRQUG*^QOU*HQLMiIcIKSGJ*SUKIH]*SFG*KLPOUILNG*NQTXIL^*

QRSGL*PGGWP*SQ*XQPSXQLG*SFG*SUKIH*KR*KS*ZGHKGYGP*^QO*IUG*OLcKHHKLM*

SQ*PGSSHG*QL*KSP*SGUTP7*#YGU^*GbNOPG*KTIMKLIZHG*cKHH*ZG*QRRGUGJ*SQ*

SFG*aOJMG*SQ*IJaQOUL*^QOU*SUKIH7*&FG*QLH^*UGPXQLPG*SQ*SFG*JGHI^*

PSUISGM^* QR* SFG* KLPOUILNG* NQTXILKGP* KP* SQ* XUGPP* ^QOU* NIPG* IP*

IMMUGPPKYGH^*ILJ*IP*dOKNWH^*IP*XQPPKZHG7*&FIS*KP*cF^*SFG*PGHGNSKQL*

QR*SFG*UKMFS*HIc^GU*KP*SFG*TQPS*NUKSKNIH*SFKLM*^QO*JQ7

M96"&NQ&('%&)*"&D829%$8B"&C'1:$85J&(#0#'(&

&FG* KLPOUILNG* NQTXIL^*cKHH* SU^*SQ* ZHITG*SFG* XISKGLS* RQU*cFIS*

FIXXGLGJ7*-R*^QO*JKJ*LQS*SIWG*SFG*XUGPNUKZGJ*TGJKNISKQL*IS*SFG*

UKMFS*TQTGLS]*^QO*IUG*PQHGH^*SQ*ZHITG*RQU*GYGU^SFKLM*SFIS*FIXXGLP*

SQ*^QO7

9FGL*SFG*KLPOUILNG*HIc^GUP*TGGS*SQ*JKPNOPP*^QOU*NIPG]*SFG*\UPS*

SFQOMFS*KL*SFGKU*NQHHGNSKYG*FGIJP*KP1*2Qc*NIL*cG*ZHITG*SFG*XISKGLS*

RQU*cFIS*FIXXGLGJV*-S*KP*IHTQPS*IHcI^P*SFG*NIPG*SFIS*SFG*TGJKNIH*

UGNQUJP*cKHH*PFQc*I*TKPPGJ*IXXQKLSTGLS*QU*I*LQSISKQL*SFIS*SFG*

XISKGLS*PFQOHJ*FIYG*I*RQHHQc*OX*IXXQKLSTGLS*KL*QLG*SQ*ScQ*JI^P*

IRSGU*IL*#TGUMGLN^*"QQT*YKPKS7

&FG* TQPS* NQTTQL* ILJ* HKWGH^* JGRGLPG* KL* TIHXUINSKNG* HKSKMISKQL*

KP* SFIS* SFG* XISKGLS* RIKHGJ* SQ* RQHHQc* SFG* IJYKNG* ILJ[QU* JKPNFIUMG*

KLPSUONSKQLP*MKYGL*Z^*SFG*JQNSQU7*#TGUMGLN^*"QQT*XISKGLSP*IUG*

UQOSKLGH^*UGdOKUGJ*SQ*PKML*JKPNFIUMG*KLPSUONSKQLP*SFIS*PSISG*SFIS*

SFG^*IUG* SQ* RQHHQc* OX* cKSF* SFGKU* XUKTIU^* NIUG* JQNSQU* cKSFKL* I*

QLG*SQ*ScQ*JI^P7*&FGPG*ZQKHGUXHISG*RQUTP*IUG*UGdOKUGJ*RQU*GYGU^*

32 John H. Fisher

#TGUMGLN^*"QQT*XISKGLS*ILJ*SFG*LOUPGP*UIUGH^*UGIJ*SFG*JKPNFIUMG*

KLPSUONSKQLP*SQ*SFG*XISKGLSP7

TGUMGLN^*TGJKNKLG*XF^PKNKILP*QRSGL*ZHITG*SFGKU*XISKGLSP*RQU*RIKHKLM*

SQ* PGGW* RQHHQciOX* SUGISTGLS* cKSF* SFGKU* XUKTIU^* NIUG* XF^PKNKIL*

IRSGU* IL* #"* YKPKS* SQ* I* FQPXKSIH7*&FG* JKPNFIUMG* KLPSUONSKQLP* cKHH*

NQLSIKL*PSILJIUJ*HILMOIMG*PSISKLM1*

65))59i4!*.'"#1*&FG*XF^PKNKIL*ZGHQc*cKHH*ZG*

XUQYKJKLM* RQHHQciOX* NIUG*RQU* ^QO7* -S<P* KTXQUSILS*

SFIS* ^QO* PGG* FKT* IP* KLPSUONSGJ7* -R* SFGUG* KP* IL^*

XUQZHGT]* XHGIPG* NQLSINS* OP7* +:[A$ 5:79:A$

\44>=$ 9;89$ @:[$ =;:[>5$ <4$ =44C$ \:A$ A4]

4^8F6C896:C$ 9:F:AA:?G* .IHH* SFG* LOTZGU*

ZGHQc*RQU*IL*IXXQKLSTGLS7

'S*SUKIH]*SFG*GTGUMGLN^*TGJKNKLG*XF^PKNKIL*cKHH*PGGW*SQ*XHING*IHH*

QR*SFG*ZHITG*QL*SFG* XISKGLS* RQU*RIKHKLM* SQ* RQHHQc*SFG*?RQHHQciOX*

NIUG@*XHIL*SFIS*FG[PFG*?GbXHIKLGJ*KL*MUGIS*JGSIKH*SQ*SFG*XISKGLS@7*

5R*NQOUPG]*cFIS*SFG*XF^PKNKIL*cKHH*LQS*TGLSKQL*KP*SFIS*GbINSH^*SFG*

PITG* HILMOIMG* KP* NQLSIKLGJ* KL* SFG* JKPNFIUMG* KLPSUONSKQLP* MKYGL*

SQ*GYGU^*XISKGLS*IS*SFG*FQPXKSIH7*#YGL*KR*^QO*YKPKS*SFG*#TGUMGLN^*

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cKHH*HKWGH^*cIUL*^QO*SFIS*?^QOU*JQNSQU*RGGHP*SFIS*^QO*PFQOHJ*ZG*

PGGL*RQU*UGiGbITKLISKQL*SQTQUUQc@7*&FG*JKPNFIUMG*KLPSUONSKQLP*

IUG*SFG* s8* NIUJ* XHI^GJ* Z^* SFG* JGRGLPG* KL* ISSGTXSKLM* SQ* ZHITG**

SFG*XISKGLS7

&FG* PGNQLJ* TQPS* NQTTQL* JGRGLPG* KL* TGJKNIH* TIHXUINSKNG*

HKSKMISKQL* KP* SFIS* SFG* XISKGLS<P* ZIJ* QOSNQTG* cIP* I* WLQcL* ILJ*

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

OLIYQKJIZHG* NQTXHKNISKQL* QU* UKPW* QR* SFG* SUGISTGLS7* (GRQUG* IL*

QXGUISKQL]*XISKGLSP*IUG*IPWGJ*SQ*PKML*MGLGUIH*NQLPGLS*RQUTP*SFIS*

HKPS*SFG*UKPWP*ILJ*NQTXHKNISKQLP*QR*SFG*QXGUISKQL*cKSF*YGU^*MGLGUIH*

HILMOIMG7* 6QU* GbITXHG]* I* MGLGUIH* NQLPGLS* RQUT* IS* SFG*'HZIL^*

+GJKNIH*.GLSGU*2QPXKSIH*PSISGP]*KL*XIUS1

-* OLJGUPSILJ* SFIS* LQ* IPPOUILNG* NIL* ZG* TIJG*

NQLNGULKLM* SFG* UGPOHSP* QU* QOSNQTG* QR* IL^*

GbITKLISKQL* QU* SUGISTGLS7* -* UGNQMLKmG* SFIS* LQ*

GbXHILISKQL* QR* GbITKLISKQL* QU* SUGISTGLS* NIL*

ZG*GbFIOPSKYG]*ILJ*SFGUG*TI^*ZG*QSFGU*UKPWP*ILJ*

NQTXHKNISKQLP7*-*FIYG*FIJ*FIJ*SFG* QXXQUSOLKS^*SQ*

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&FG*MGLGUIH*NQLPGLS*RQUTP*QRSGL*HKPS*?JGISF@*IP*QLG*QR*SFG*UKPWP*

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34 John H. Fisher

&FG* JGRGLPG* HIc^GUP* UGH^* FGIYKH^* QL* SFG* ?KLRQUTGJ* NQLPGLS@*

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JGRGLPG*KL*TGJKNIH*TIHXUINSKNG*HKSKMISKQL]*XIUSKNOHIUH^*cFGL*SFGUG*

KP*I*ZIJ*QOSNQTG*RQHHQcKLM*IL*QXGUISKQL7*

,*"&2)%$0A*)&)%9)*&$>'9)&2"))6"1"8)&'(("%2

-L* NIPGP* KLYQHYKLM* QZYKQOP* ILJ* NHGIU* TGJKNIH* TIHXUINSKNG ]*

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SFG*TIHXU INSK NG* KLPOUILNG* NIUUKGU* cKHH*cILS* SQ*PGSSHG*SFG* NIPG*

KL*SFG*GI UH^*PSIMG*QR*SFG*HIcPOKS]*QU*GYGL*ZGRQUG*SFG*HIcPOKS*KP**

\HGJ7*9"5%3n

#YGL*KL*SFG*NIPGP*QR*MUQPP*ILJ*QZYKQOP*TIHXUINSKNG]*SFG*KLPOUILNG*

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46 John H. Fisher

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

-L*8BBB]*.IHKRQULKI*cIP*SFG*\UPS*PSISG*KL*SFG*LISKQL*SFIS*GLINSGJ*I*

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48 John H. Fisher

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50 John H. Fisher

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

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52 John H. Fisher

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54 John H. Fisher

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56 John H. Fisher

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58 John H. Fisher

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&FGUG* IUG* SFUGG* PXGNK\N* JQNOTGLSP* SFIS* IUG* UGdOKUGJ* QL* IHH*

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PFQOHJ*IPW*SQ*UGYKGc*SFG*+KLKTOT*,ISI*/GS*;+,/=]*SFG*"GPKJGLS*

70 John H. Fisher

'PPGPPTGLS*!UQSQNQH*;"'!=*ILJ*SFG*KLJKYKJOIH*.IUG*!HIL*cKSF*SFG*

TGJKNIH*JKUGNSQU*QR*SFG*LOUPKLM*FQTG7

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IPW* ^QO* SQ* PKML* ZGRQUG* ^QO* FIYG* IL* QXGUISKQL7*&FG* NQLSGLS* QR*

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

SFG*KLRQUTGJ*NQLPGLS* JQNOTGLS*YIUKGP*RQU*GYGU^* XF^PKNKIL*ILJ*

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KJGLSKS^*QR*^QOU*TGJKNIH*GbXGUS*cKSLGPP7*6OUSFGUTQUG]*KS*KP*I*ZIPKN*

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72 John H. Fisher

ISSGTXSKLM*SQ*JGXUKYG*^QO*QR*ZIPKN*UKMFSP*Z^*IPWKLM*^QO*SQ*PKML*SFG*

KLRQUTGJ*NQLPGLS*JQNOTGLS7

(^*PKMLKLM*SFKP*KLRQUTGJ*NQLPGLS*JQNOTGLS]*^QO*IUG*PKMLKLM*IcI^*

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KLRQUTGJ*NQLPGLS*JQNOTGLS*cKSFQOS*UGIJKLM*KS7*-L*SFG*UGTIKLKLM*

>k*QR* SFG*NIPGP* cFGUG*SFG*XISKGLS* INSOIHH^*UGIJP*SFG*KLRQUTGJ*

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

(#)(*+$,-%!).#$JO

0)-*-'T$!/$0-*#$)$3/,1*)-'!$U-!"$!"#$

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XF^PKNKILP<*IPPKPSILSP*KP*I*TISSGU*QR*XOZHKN*UGNQUJ7*

74 John H. Fisher

:QO*NIL*\HG*I*NQTXHIKLS*IMIKLPS*I*XF^PKNKIL*cKSF*SFG*%Gc*:QUW*

/SISG* ,GXIUSTGLS* QR* 2GIHSF]* 5R\NG* QR* !UQRGPPKQLIH* +GJKNIH*

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NIL*IHPQ*NIHH*8iE__ieeCie88D*SQ*MGS*I*NQTXHIKLS*RQUT*QU*KR*^QO**

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

-R* IL* KLYGPSKMISKQL* OLNQYGUP* P OR\NKGLS* GYKJGLNG* SQ* POMMGP S*

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76 John H. Fisher

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

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'PW* SQ* PXGIW* cKSF* SFG* !ISKGLS* "GXUGPGLSISKYG7* &FG* !ISKGLS*

"GXUGPGLSISKYG*KP*I*TGTZGU*QR*SFG*FQPXKSIH*PSIRR*cFQ*PGUYGP*IP*

I*HKLW*ZGScGGL*SFG*XISKGLS]*RITKH^]*XF^PKNKILP*ILJ* QSFGU*FQPXKSIH*

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dOGPSKQLP*IZQOS*FQPXKSIH*XUQNGJOUGP]*FGHX*cKSF*PXGNKIH*LGGJP*QU*

NQLNGULP*ILJ*PQHYG*XUQZHGTP7*&FG*!ISKGLS*"GXUGPGLSISKYG*PFQOHJ*

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RQU*PGUYKNGP*XUQYKJGJ*Z^*SFG*!ISKGLS*"GXUGPGLSISKYG7

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+C$8&D&="20A8$)"&$&($1065&1"1>"%&)'&1$7"&

="B020'82&$8=&A")&$82#"%2&('%&1";3

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^QO*SUOPS]*PONF*IP*I*RITKH^*TGTZGU*QU*NHQPG*RUKGLJ]*SQ*INS*IP*^QOU*

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SFG* FQPXKSIH*QU* XF^PKNKIL* RIKHP*SQ* INWLQcHGJMG*ILJ* INS* QL* ^QOU*

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QR*2GIHSF*Z^*NIHHKLM*8iE__iE_gi>ggD7

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UGNQUJP]*^QO*TI^*IHPQ*IXXGIH*SQ*SFG*%Gc*:QUW*/SISG*,GXIUSTGLS*QR*

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JQNSQU*KP*UGdOKUGJ*SQ*XUQYKJG*I*RQUT*;,52i8BEB=*SFIS*MKYGP*SFG*

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XQHKNKGP*SFIS*JGPNUKZG*SFG*UKMFSP*QR*SFG*UGPKJGLSP7*&FG*LOUPKLM*FQTG*

90 John H. Fisher

KP*UGdOKUGJ*Z^*HIc*SQ*TIWG*SFKP*XQHKN^*PSISGTGLShSFG*?%OUPKLM*

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NQLJKSKQL]*SFG*UKMFS*SQ*XIUSKNKXISG*KL*SFG*XHIL*QR* NIUG]*SFG*UKMFS*SQ*

NFQQPG*^QOU*QcL*XF^PKNKIL]*ILJ*SFG*UKMFS*SQ*ZG*RUGG*RUQT*XF^PKNIH*

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TIWG*POUG*SFIS*^QO*MGS*I*NQX^*QR*SFG*?%OUPKLM*2QTG*"GPKJGLS<P*

(KHH*QR*"KMFSP@]*PQ*^QO*FIYG*I*NHGIU*OLJGUPSILJKLM*QR*^QOU*UKMFSP*KL*

I*LOUPKLM*FQTG7

+?'#&='&D&:%"I"8)&)*"&1'2)&B'11'8&

1"=0B$6&102)$7";3

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MUQOX*SFIS*NQLJONSP*KLJGXGLJGLS*UGPGIUNF*QL*XOZHKN*FGIHSF*KPPOGP]*

RQOLJ* SFIS* KLRGNSKQLP* QR* PGXPKP* ILJ* XLGOTQLKI* INdOKUGJ* KL* SFG*

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JI^P*QR*FQPXKSIHKmISKQL7*6OUSFGU]*SFG*.GLSGUP*RQU*,KPGIPG*.QLSUQH*

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

6QU*8E*TQLSFP*ZGScGGL*A__>*ILJ*A__e]*TQUG*SFIL*8__*+KNFKMIL*

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-.4*!UQaGNS7

The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

3/'3*I%-/'

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BE]___*'TGUKNILP*GYGU^*^GIU*KL*FQPXKSIHP*INUQPP*SFG*4LKSGJ*/SISGP7**

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aQZ7* -LPKPS* QL* PGGKLM* SFG* TGJKNIH* UGNQUJP* ILJ* FIYG* SFG* UGNQUJP*

GbXHIKLGJ*Z^*SFG*ISSGLJKLM*XF^PKNKIL7*-R*SFG*ISSGLJKLM*XF^PKNKIL*KP*

OLIYIKHIZHG ]*SGHH*SFG*FQPXKSIH*PSIRR*SFIS*^QO*cILS*IL*IXXQKLSTGLS*

SQ*TGGS*cKSF*FKT[FGU7*,Q*LQS*INNGXS*SFG*YILKHHI*ILPcGUP*MKYGL*Z^*

SFG*LOUPKLM*PSIRR7

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94 John H. Fisher

&FG*XISKGLS*ILJ*SFG*XISKGLS<P*RITKH^*OPOIHH^*FIYG*I*ZGSSGU*KJGI*SFIS*

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

3*-#'!%$%1#).

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?&FILW* ^QO* RQU* IH H* ^QOU* GRRQUS* ILJ* cQUW* QYGU* SFG* XIPS*

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96 John H. Fisher

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

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The Seven Deadly Mistakes of Malpractice Victims

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The

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John H. Fisher

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7158387815959

ISBN 978-1-59571-583-8

51695 >

$16.95

WORD ASSOCIATION

PUBLISHERS

www.wordassociation.com

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