Home | physicianprotect

1/3

Leading

the Field in

Medical Professional Liability

#1 In Medical Professional Liability

Physician Protection has a proven track record of lowering Medical Professional Liability Protection costs for higher risk specialities such as: OBGYN's, Cardiologists, Neurosurgeons, Plastic Surgery, Diagnostic Radiology Orthopedics and more.

Since 2007 we've insured thousands of Physician, Surgeons, Groups, & Facilities

Who Do We Cover?

We cover Pain Management, Sports Medicine, Urology, Family Practitioners, General Practitioners, Dermatologists, and a whole lot of other specialties for MD's and DO's.

Ask About

- Nuisance Claims Coverage

- Privacy & Security Coverage

- Death, Disability and Retirement Coverage

- Administrative Actions Defense

- Vicarious Liability

What You Need to Know
Before Choosing a Broker?

- Does your broker specialize in Medical Professional Liability?

- Are the markets different from other brokers?

- Are they successful in lowering costs?

- Do they provide nuisance claim coverage?

- Do they offer Privacy and Security Coverage?

News //

Bowel Infarction Death Following Hip Replacement

A 63-year-old man underwent what was expected to be a routine hip replacement surgery. During his post-operative recovery, he developed progressively worsening symptoms including:

Severe abdominal pain
Abdominal distension and bloating
Metabolic acidosis
CT scan findings consistent with an acute abdominal process

The lawsuit alleged that the treating hospitalist failed to:

Recognize signs of an acute abdomen.
Properly interpret CT findings showing colonic distention and pneumatosis.
Order timely decompression measures.
Request an urgent surgical consultation despite the patient's deteriorating condition.

The patient ultimately developed bowel infarction (intestinal tissue death), progressed to septic shock, and died.

The Verdict

After a seven-day trial, a Massachusetts jury found that the physician's negligence contributed to the patient's death.

The jury awarded:

$1.5 million for the patient's conscious pain and suffering.
$600,000 to the patient's surviving children for wrongful death damages.

With statutory interest, the total judgment exceeded $3.9 million.

Why This Case Matters

This lawsuit demonstrates several realities that healthcare providers face:

Serious malpractice claims often arise from delayed diagnosis, not just surgical errors.
Post-operative patients require continuous monitoring and prompt evaluation of changing symptoms.
Failure to recognize a rapidly evolving medical emergency can expose providers to significant legal liability.
Even a single malpractice claim can result in millions of dollars in damages, in addition to legal defense costs and reputational harm.

Why Medical Malpractice Insurance Is Essential

Cases like this highlight why professional liability insurance is a critical component of risk management. Even when providers believe they have acted appropriately, malpractice claims can involve years of litigation, costly expert testimony, and substantial financial exposure. A comprehensive medical malpractice insurance policy helps protect healthcare professionals by providing experienced legal defense and coverage for covered settlements or judgments, allowing providers to continue focusing on patient care while managing the financial risks associated with medical practice.