The Poor, in Fact, Are Less Likely to Sue Their Doctor

[DavidDvorkin]

Contrary to the common perception among physicians that poor people sue doctors more frequently, Ramon L. Jimenez from the Monterey Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Institute and his team demonstrate that socioeconomically disadvantaged patients, in fact, tend to sue physicians less often. Their work suggests that this myth may exist because of subconscious prejudices or stereotypes that affect thinking and decision making without doctors being aware of it -- a phenomenon known as unconscious bias.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120227111204.htm


This doesn't surprise me. I suspect that the poor are in general less likely to sue and more likely to quietly suffer the burdens and injustices imposed on them by the powerful and the rich.