FAQs

Q: I already have malpractice insurance, so why join Doctor’s Advocate?
A: A Doctor’s Advocate private attorney is needed because:

  1. The interest of your med-mal carrier and the attorney it hires are frequently different from your interests.
  2. Attorneys hired by the med-mal carrier depend upon volume, which is why a lawsuit can drag on for five or more years. A private attorney can help move the case along.
  3. A private attorney sometimes sees things the med-mal insurance attorney misses.
  4. A Doctor’s Advocate private attorney will demand that the lawsuit be dropped immediately, a tactic rarely used by the insurance company attorney.
  5. Two attorneys, from separate firms, working on your behalf gives you an advantage and peace of mind.

Q: I am a nurse practitioner. Can Doctor’s Advocate still work for me?
A: Yes. Doctor’s Advocate fights for all health care professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, residents, and other allied professionals.

Q: Does the Doctor’s Advocate attorney replace my insurance company attorney?
A: No. The Doctor’s Advocate attorney works in conjunction with your appointed attorney.

Q: Am I allowed to have two attorneys represent me in a case?
A: Yes. You are allowed to have as many attorneys as you would like on a case.

Q: How much would it cost to hire private counsel?
A: A private attorney outside of Doctor’s Advocate could charge $25,000.00 or more to represent you, from the inception to conclusion of the case.

Q: Am I protected immediately after I subscribe to Doctor’s Advocate?
A: Yes. You are covered immediately after subscribing.

Q: What if I have an existing lawsuit, or have reason to believe that I may be sued?
A: In such a scenario, you must pay a separate $5,000.00 fee for coverage for an existing suit or a suit that is filed within 120 days of joining Doctor’s Advocate.

Q: Does the lawyer from Doctor’s Advocate communicate with my insurance company’s attorney about the case?
A: Your Doctor’s Advocate attorney will contact your insurance carrier’s attorney immediately upon being notified of the lawsuit. The Doctor’s Advocate attorney will be copied on all correspondence regarding your case.

Q: Does the lawyer from Doctor’s Advocate communicate with the plaintiff’s attorney?
A: Plaintiff’s attorney will be contacted immediately. If your case is deemed to be unmeritorious by the Doctor’s Advocate counsel, the Doctor’s Advocate counsel will demand that your case be dropped.

Q: Can the attorney from my insurance company refuse to represent me because I am a member of Doctor’s Advocate and have a private attorney?
A: No. Your insurance carrier must tender defense counsel to you, pursuant to the terms of your policy.

Testimonials

“My case dragged on for nearly two years, and Doctor’s Advocate got it dropped in seven weeks. I recommend this program to every doctor as a means of fighting back and protecting their practice.”

Dr. Lynne Coslett-Charlton
Pennsylvania Ob-Gyn & Doctor’s Advocate member

“When I was threatened with a frivolous lawsuit, I contacted a Doctor’s Advocate’s attorney. He immediately helped me construct a letter that provided the plaintiff’s attorney with strong incentives not to proceed with the case. The suit was never filed. This quick, aggressive help alone was worth my joining the program. It saved me years of frustration from litigation and depositions.”

Dr. Scott Rosenthal
Pennsylvania Anesthesiologist & Doctor’s Advocate member