Izindaba
Possible MPS eviction 'an unmitigated disaster’ – patient litigator
Abstract
One of the country’s top patient litigators and a seasoned opponent of the Medical Protection Society (MPS), Mervyn Joseph, says forcing the MPS out would prove an ‘unmitigated disaster’ for patients and doctors alike.
Joseph, who has over the years received ‘substantial’ compensation from the MPS on behalf of patients, says he would rather litigate against an informed, professional opponent with solid financial reserves than ‘fight tooth and nail against someone bent only on avoiding both the merits of an action and paying justifiable quantum’. Warning that the highly specialised health care indemnity/insurance market could be flooded with unschooled and/or under-funded newcomers, Joseph cited a current defendant whose insurers he is suing to prevent their reneging on their contractual obligation to cover the doctor in terms of his policy.
Joseph, who has over the years received ‘substantial’ compensation from the MPS on behalf of patients, says he would rather litigate against an informed, professional opponent with solid financial reserves than ‘fight tooth and nail against someone bent only on avoiding both the merits of an action and paying justifiable quantum’. Warning that the highly specialised health care indemnity/insurance market could be flooded with unschooled and/or under-funded newcomers, Joseph cited a current defendant whose insurers he is suing to prevent their reneging on their contractual obligation to cover the doctor in terms of his policy.
Author's affiliations
Chris Bateman, HMPG
Full Text
PDF (398KB)Keywords
professional indemnity
Cite this article
South African Medical Journal 2010;100(11):700.
Article History
Date submitted: 2010-10-04
Date published: 2010-11-09
Date published: 2010-11-09
Article Views
Abstract views: 2427
Full text views: 952
Full text views: 952
Comments on this article
*Read our policy for posting comments here