Key Takeaways
- Oregon makes a physician’s malpractice and disciplinary history available through the Oregon Medical Board database.
- The malpractice claim search by license option lets you search for a physician by name, location or license number.
- Results may show license status, educational history, board actions and malpractice information for the selected physician.
- A malpractice claim can be made and even settled without fault being attributed to the physician, so records need context.
- Claims are filed using an Oregon Malpractice Claim Report Form on the Oregon Medical Board website, which asks about any civil court proceedings.
Seeing a new physician can be a vulnerable experience. You must trust a stranger to listen to your concerns and complaints sincerely and without judgment. We know all licensed physicians undergo rigorous training and continuing education requirements to stay current, but how can you identify if your new physician has had previous malpractice claims?
Let us help fight for your Medical Malpractice Claim
This may be helpful in both ensuring you proactively receive appropriate care and investigating concerns you may have. If you have concerns about your care, the experience our Portland medical malpractice law firm brings to the table can make reaching a fair and appropriate settlement amount far easier than trying to navigate the process alone.
Accessing Malpractice Information About Your Physician
Oregon makes it very simple to access any malpractice or disciplinary history about your physician and their license. You can access the Oregon Medical Board database and go to the malpractice claim information.
From here, you will select the malpractice claim search by license option. This page will allow you to search for information about your physician with their location, name, or license number. Once you have determined your search parameters, the database will show you a list of licenses that match those criteria. Once you select the physician you are looking for, it may show you some of the following information:
- License number
- Original issue date
- Current status
- Expiration date
- Educational history
- Board actions
- Malpractice
If you are curious about a history of complaints or malpractice, you will find that information in the board actions or malpractice sections. This information should be kept in the context in which we find it. A complaint may have been filed, resulting in an investigation that revealed it to be unfounded. Therefore, the OMB did not take disciplinary action.
“At Paulson Coletti, ‘liberty and justice for all’ is more than just a phrase – it is our mandate. Our team of trial lawyers is driven to pursue justice for the injured, ensuring that the responsible parties are held accountable. Whether your case settles or goes to trial, you can trust our Oregon personal injury lawyers to be the legal advocates you need so your voice can be heard.”
What Does a Malpractice Claim Mean?
Something to understand about a malpractice claim is that it can be made and even settled without fault being attributed to the physician. The Oregon Medical Board (OMB) states that there are many reasons a physician may choose to settle a claim without going to court, which does not necessarily mean they were negligent in their medical practice. A malpractice claim simply means that someone feels they have grounds to file a claim, not that the claim was valid. However, once reported to the OMB, it may be reflected in their licensure.
“Most cases settle, but each of our cases is prepared as if it’s going to trial. The insurance companies know it and so do the defense lawyers defending them. That’s why we get such great results for our clients.”
Malpractice Concerns
The complainant fills out an Oregon Malpractice Claim Report Form on the Oregon Medical Board website to file a claim. The form asks you to provide information about the complaint and indicate if you have begun proceedings in civil court. If you have already retained representation and taken your case to civil court, the complaint to the board may have already been filed on your behalf.
If you have concerns regarding your care and see that your physician has already received complaints or disciplinary action for similar behavior, it may be a good idea to contact us at Paulson Coletti Trial Attorneys and seek legal consultation.