Nondisclosure agreements lurking in malpractice claims in Texas

A recent study has shown that the University of Texas System's health care institutions were often including nondisclosure agreements in their medical malpractice settlements. There were some issues with this policy, namely that the policy regarding these statements was not uniform across all six institutions. In addition, these agreements tended to focus on protecting the reputations of doctors and hospitals more than providing quality patient care.

While nondisclosure agreements are necessary at times to protect the physicians, the report concluded, the abundance of them plus the lack or regulation was a dangerous combination. In essence, the study concludes that hospitals who overuse these agreements may be untrustworthy. Since the report came out, some changes have been made. Mainly, the University of Texas has stopped including nondisclosure agreements that bar patients from discussing the outcome with regulatory agencies. 

Opposition has emerged against the study’s conclusion that hospitals that are using nondisclosure agreements are shady institutions. Their argument is that, even though they try to prevent former patients from potentially ruining a doctor’s or hospital’s reputation, internal reviews are being performed regularly. After all, a hospital that is not investigating alleged medical professional negligence and other errors could risk losing millions of dollars due to continued medical malpractice claims.

Whether your San Antonio malpractice suit is settled or taken to court, having an experienced lawyer by your side through the ordeal is generally the best choice. They can look over any settlement agreement offered to you and advise you on whether to take it or go to trial.