Anatomy of a Malpractice Claim: How Lawsuits Start and How to Avoid Them
November 5 at 12:10 pm – 1:00 pm PST
November 5, 2026
12:10–1:00 p.m. PST
Nursing Building 105
Medical malpractice claims can have significant professional, financial, and personal consequences for healthcare providers. This session provides a practical overview of how malpractice lawsuits arise, guiding participants through the key stages of the litigation process and the physician’s role at each step. Learners will examine the legal definition of the standard of care, review the essential elements a plaintiff must prove to establish malpractice, and explore common factors that contribute to claims. The session will also highlight effective risk-management strategies that can help reduce liability exposure, strengthen patient-provider relationships, and support high-quality, defensible clinical practice.
This is the second session of our three-part series, Medicine on the Record, an exploration of medicine and the law. Learners are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions.
The Washington State University (WSU) Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™️. Participants should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.