Risk management resources site addresses malpractice, ethical issues and insurance
What are the best steps you can take to help prevent malpractice suits? In addition to the more obvious - setting up systems to avoid missing deadlines, improving your client relations, documenting your work, avoiding inappropriate involvement in a client's interests and so on - there is a recent trend toward partner peer review. How do you suggest to your partners what might be a controversial or touchy issue?
Perhaps by mentioning that one of the common risk factors in malpractice law is simply an unwillingness to believe you may be sued, and that even more uncomfortable than a peer review would be facing an actual malpractice suit from a disgruntled client. And remember - your worries don't end when you stop practicing: liability claims may stalk you for some years to come.
The ABA Standing Committee on Lawyers' Professional Liability has created a "risk management resources" Web site that pulls together a compendium of material designed to help you manage your practice, avoid risk and better understand your insurance coverage. In addition to information on ethics and risk management topics, you can find information on getting and keeping insurance, including a state-by-state directory of insurance carriers and a checklist for purchasers and tips on avoiding coverage gaps.
Back to top
© 2006 American Bar Association
|
