Can I bring a malpractice suit and settle it quickly and cheaply so there is no publicity?
No. There is no such thing as a “nuisance settlement” in medical malpractice litigation. There is either a substantial claim with legitimate liability, or there is no claim. Doctors don’t settle claims that they believe do not have merit, because all medical malpractice cases have to be reported to the National Practitioners Data Bank in Washington, D.C. This is a computer record of all doctors’ malpractice claims. It affects the doctors’ insurance premiums, and may affect their right to practice in hospitals. It follows them through their entire careers. The doctors are, therefore, reluctant to settle any claims, and don’t settle claims that they believe are not meritorious.
