Jacksonville Injury Attorney Blog
Chiropractors, podiatrists, and optometrists are just a few of the medical professionals required by Florida law to purchase medical malpractice insurance coverage. However, many people are suprised to learn that medical doctors are allowed to treat patients without any insurance coverage. As a result, it is estimated that as many as 1 in 8 doctors in Florida forgo malpractice coverage.
While the numbers are not as high in the Jacksonville and North Florida areas as in South Florida (where as many as 1 in 3 doctors may forgo such coverage), it is certainly a cause for concern. Absent this important liability coverage, patients who suffer catastrophic personal injuries may be unable to obtain the compensation permitted by law including medical bills, lost wages, loss of the ability to earn a living, loss of quality of life, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
Fortunately, if you are concerned about your physician’s coverage, you shouldn’t have to ask your doctor what may understandably be an uncomfortable question. Florida law requires doctors who go uninsured to post signs in their offices and promise to pay up to $250,000 per malpractice award, with a maximum of $750,000 per year. The penalty for not paying pursuant to statute is severe: revocation of their medical license.
If you would like to discuss a potential medical malpractice case without any cost or obligation, please contact our Jacksonville injury lawyers.