ey ) in otecting Yourself = re must be a connection between the clinician's act or omission ( be established. Without a clear causal connection, a case will fail. Mj the breach of care) and the injury for medical malpractice to 5 causes an injury, it is not actionable. takes happen and veryone makes them. Unless the mistake What role did the patient play in his own situation? He was advise d to return for a follow-up to his first appointment in 4 weeks but didn't return for 8 months. How might this have affected his ultimate outcome? Should a clinician be blamed when a patient doesn't follow instructions? It is difficult to protect yourself from being taken to court, but the usual steps should always be taken to ultimately protect yourself from liability primary among them are documentation and communication. L 1 iter i i York. Ann W. Latner, 3D, a former criminal defense attorney, is a freelance medical writer in Port Washington, New P