In a study done by USA Today, records showed that some doctors who have been banned by hospitals or other medical institutions have yet to receive punishment from medical boards that conduct licensure of said doctors, meaning their licenses are still not revoked and they are still allowed to practice medicine.
The records came from the National Practitioner Data Bank, which aids medical boards in tracking doctors’ license documents, malpractice payments, and disciplinary actions given by their respective hospitals, HMOs, and other medical organizations.
According to the research:
- Fifty-two percent (more than 3,000 physicians) of nearly 6,000 doctors who were banned or disciplined by their hospitals from 2001 to 2011 were never fined, or punished with a license restriction, suspension, or revocation.
- Nine hundred doctors from the same time period were cited for substandard care, negligence, incompetence, or malpractice, but kept practicing with a medical license.
Medical malpractice is a very serious legal matter, as it can cause patients debilitating injuries and, in worst-case scenarios, even death. Our legal team at Crowe & Harris, LLP , helps victims of such negligence in Massachusetts take legal action against the reckless practitioner. Hold those responsible for your losses accountable by calling (617) 404-3417 today.