Doctors aren’t perfect — no one is

Doctors aren’t perfect — no one is

Doctors aren’t perfect — no one is 150 150 Lauren Ellerman

hospital-hallwayToday in our local news we have heard terrible truths about two Virginia doctors.

A local Doctor (Roanoke) will be sentenced to federal prison for many years for his child pornography collection and prescription drug charges.

A Fairfax jury found a local female doctor liable in the amount of $500,000 for damages sustained to a patient she mocked and humiliated while he was under anesthesia.

Recent efforts from victims and families of victims have asked hospitals to create accountability by using video cameras in operating rooms and treatment rooms.

We have long heard stories of the once god-like physician falling from grace, and yet, we still act surprised when we hear about it.

Doctor’s aren’t perfect. They are people. They have personal and professional struggles just like we do. They have good days and bad days, just like we do. They make mistakes, just like we do. Sometimes they feel bad for their mistakes, sometimes they don’t see their mistakes. Sometimes apologies are made and often they are not. Sometimes doctors tell their insurance company to pay the claim and make the family whole, other times they chose to fight the case in court with a jury.

These are not issues of good or evil. They are very real human issues.

Our office doesn’t do medical malpractice work because Doctors are bad, or because victims are good. Neither is the whole truth. We do this work because our laws provide for accountability, and  we believe accountability leads to better care. Better care for everyone.

  • When lawsuits are made public, actions changed.
  • When drugs hurt people, and drug companies are held accountable, fewer people get hurt.

In most cases we never know why negligent care is given,  or mistakes are made injuring patients. We won’t know why the doctor in Fairfax intentionally lied on her patient’s records, or disparaged him during surgery. Did she have a bad day? Is she a bully? Does it matter? It certainly does to the man injured.

What we do know is that she will never do it again. And that is why most families come to our office and inquire about a medical malpractice lawsuit.  Because we live in a society where we value accountability and for that reason, our office does malpractice work.

Share
About the author

Lauren Ellerman

In 2011, Lauren Ellerman was named "Young Lawyer of the Year" by the Roanoke Bar Association for her work in the community. To speak with Lauren about your personal injury case, contact her at lellerman@frithlawfirm.com.

Back to top