New Hazards for Letters of Recommendation  

It would seem to be an innocent request, but a reference letter for a departing physician may represent a new source of liability for a medical practice. A recent lawsuit in federal court in New Orleans has brought to light new concerns over what should (and should not) be included in the letter, and physician owners/practice managers must be very careful on accepting a request for a letter of recommendation. The case also highlights the importance of a practice hiring a new physician to be very diligent on checking the new physician's background.

Previous Liability Issues

When a physician or office manager has been asked to write a letter of recommendation on behalf of another physician seeking a new job, he or she may be concerned that, if they provide less-than-favorable recommendations, either in writing or verbally, they may be held responsible for li...