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The Michigan Method for Handling Medical Malpractice

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The Michigan Method for Handling Medical Malpractice

In recent years, the University of Michigan Healthy System has received a lot of attention for its handling of medical errors. Although UMHS still has medical errors, it has reduced its medical malpractice expenses through a simple approach that may be a model for hospitals across the country.

The UMHS Approach

Over the last decade, UMHS has been changing the way it handles medical errors. There are three basic tenets to the system:

  • Compensate patients quickly and fairly when inappropriate care leads to injury
  • Support clinical staff when the care was reasonable
  • Ask patients to talk about experiences to prevent future errors

Since UMHS implemented the new system, medical malpractice claims per month have dropped, total liability costs have dropped, and claims with and without merit are being resolved faster, with less litigation costs.

The approach is also known as Disclose, Apologize, and Offer (DA&O), because that’s how it responds to patients and relatives when something goes wrong.

Why the UMHS Approach Works

The Michigan Method looks at some of the basic causes of medical malpractice lawsuits. One of these causes is the desire to get answers. When people suffer additional injury when they trusted themselves to a doctor’s care, they want to know why. When doctors refuse to give answers, people look for help, which medical malpractice lawyers are willing to give. People also want to know that doctors are being held responsible for their errors, and that steps will be taken to prevent it from happening again.

DA&O works because it gives patients the answers they’re looking for.

DA&O also works because it recognizes that litigation is a potentially large portion of the expense of a medical malpractice claim. According to a review of medical malpractice claims, administrative expenses—such as lawyers—eat up 54 cents out of every dollar paid for compensation. Worse, it shows that 78% of administrative costs come in cases where the doctor was definitely in error. By aggressively defending error cases, hospitals increase their litigation costs.

Although we’re a long way from universal acceptance, the Michigan Method is catching on, with six states implementing or studying the Michigan Method.

Unfortunately, in New Jersey, you are unlikely to get a disclosure, apology, or offer from your physician in the event of a medical error. If you have been hurt, and you need answers or compensation, please contact Andres, Berger & Tran in Haddonfield, NJ for a free initial consultation.

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Sharon Smith

Mike Berger and staff were professional, pleasant, strategic and knowledgeable. The office always kept me informed about my case and moved the case along quicker than I expected. I would highly recommend them to anyone !!

Kathryn N.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Reliable, honest, driven, knowledgeable, compassionate, and highly respected among colleagues and medical professionals [...] fought for me during times when I wasn’t strong enough to fight for myself. The Andres, Berger & Tran law firm understands Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) [...] thank you for your support and guidance over the years.

Mike V.

Mike Berger of Andres, Berger & Tran handled my case over a six year period. He and the team examined every detail to get the best outcome. They were honest, candid and communicative throughout the whole process. It was a long ordeal but could not have been handled more professionally. I highly recommend.

Yadira R.

I just want to say thank you for what you have done for me and my family throughout the years. You made us feel like family, not just clients. You were always very detailed when it came to our cases and tried everything in your power to get us all the help we needed.

Gregory W.

Our family appreciated your unfailing attention to detail. There were last minute snags, we seldom worried that something would fall through the cracks, but you anticipated every contingency. Your firm demonstrated a veracity for the truth, a strong work ethic and overall impeccable character in dealing with our case.

01 / 05

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