Doctors Advised: An Apology a Day Keeps the Lawyer Away

Say you're sorry when you hurt someone. The medical world is finding that childhood lesson a surprisingly powerful way to head off malpractice suits, especially if the apology comes with an upfront settlement offer. Since encouraging its doctors to apologize for errors, the University of Michigan Health System's annual attorney fees have dropped by two-thirds, and malpractice suits and notices of intents to sue have fallen by half, says a former trial attorney who launched the practice there.

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