Risk Management
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Hotline Question: Speaking to a Patient’s Attorney?
Q: My patient is involved in a lawsuit and wants me to speak to her attorney. Do I have to?
A: Unless you have received a subpoena for a deposition, you are not required to speak to the patient’s attorney. In general, OMIC recommends that you respectfully decline such a request. Too often, physicians who agree to talk to an attorney to help out a patient end up becoming the focus of the lawsuit. You could respond in the following way: “Many of my patients are involved in litigation for various reasons, such as worker’s compensation cases or accidents. As a physician, I want to devote my time to patient care and be fair to all my patients, so I do not assist any patient in litigation.” OMIC further recommends that our policyholders speak to the Claims representative for your state by calling 1.800.562-6642, extension 629.
NOTE: OMIC’s ophthalmic risk management hotline receives thousands of calls each year from policyholders and their employees in every region of the country. Policyholders should let their staffs know that any time they encounter a difficult situation, they can call an OMIC Risk Manager for help. OMIC’s risk management hotline is confidential from other OMIC Departments and Risk Management staff does not discuss any issues raised through the hotline with anyone else..Records are kept within a secure document imaging system and access to files are limited to Risk Management/Legal staff only. Policyholders should encourage staff members to use this policyholder benefit whenever needed.
Call (800) 562-6642 then press 4.
