Is an Apology a Declaration of Negligence? with T. Marc Calvert, JD

Physician's Guide to Doctoring with Bradley B. Block, MD

T. Marc Calvert, J.D. founded Calvert & Associates in 1996. His goal has always been to provide the highest quality of legal service to those who ask for his help. I asked for his help regarding what to say to a patient when you have a complication. Do we apologize? Not apologize? How much information do we disclose? We were introduced by Gita Pensa, an emergency medicine physician at Brown and the creator of the podcast Doctors and Litigation: The L Word. This is essential listening for all physicians. On top of settling the apology issue (kind of), Mr. Calvert says you need to exude competence and caring. We also talked about walking the patient through what happened and giving them a clear and concise plan for what you are going to do next. Since 1987, a primary focus of Mr. Calvert’s practice has been health care liability defense, and over the years he has handled innumerable claims, disputed matters, and lawsuits. Mr. Calvert is board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in the field of Personal Injury Trial Law Mr. Calvert graduated with a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1987 and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas later that year. While at UT, he served as a law clerk for the Texas Employment Commission and wrote opinions for the commission appeals department. Mr. Calvert joined Edwards and Associates in August of 1987 after having completed a clerkship during the summer of 1986. The firm of Edwards & Calvert was formed when Mr. Calvert became a named partner in 1991. He became board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in the field of Personal Injury Trial Law in 1994 and has been re-certified at the indicated intervals ever since. On September 3, 1996, Calvert & Associates was established.