Doctors' Plaintiff Side Testimony Chilled in Malpractice Actions
Dr. Barry Schifrin was a well respected parinatologist and member of the American College of Obstretics and Gynocology (ACOG), up until he testified on behalf of the plaintiff in a medical malpractice action against another member of the ACOG. After his testimony, the defendant ob/gyn filed a complaint and censure against Dr. Schifrin with the ACOG citing unethical behavior while testifying. The ACOG hit Dr. Schifrin with a censure in February of 2004, and he has since resigned from his practice.
The problem here is that doctors are turning on their own and seeking to censure those who give plaintiff's testimony in malpractice actions. They see plaintiff friendly doctors as perpetuating the medical liability crisis (which in itself is a myth).
"What they're trying to do is blacklist experts so people can't exercise their rights in the civil justice system," said plaintiffS lawyer Robert Boyers of Hannon & Boyers in Florida, where the problem is especially prevelant.
Dr. Barry Schifrin is still a well respected perinatologist. He did not resign his practice because of ACOG's unsubstantiated allegations in its censure. The censure did not require Dr. Schifrin to resign from the college.
Kristi Schifrin Hayes, Esq. (I represent patients in medical negligence cases and am Dr. Schifrin's daughter).
I have no doubt that Dr. Schifrin is still a well respected perinatologist. It is the fact that his professionalism was attacked for giving plaintiffs side testimony that gets me going. We wish you and your father the very best.