Now back, his much desired corporate practice is beginning to bore him when his insightful receptionist persuades him to see a walk-in client. The treating physician was Peter s archenemy Dr. Bondurant. Peter had personalized too many past cases and his few defeats were at the hands of Bondurant, a man he believes is indifferent to the sufferings of his patients. Apparently undiagnosed breast cancer is the leading litigable malpractice case, and an independent opinion, obtained prior to taking the case, showed that although masked by the X-rays in early onset, during the subsequent four or five years Terry s cancer should have been easily detected. Peter then decides to take the case.
Harmful Intent is an extremely complex and detailed book.
On the one hand, the reader is led through each facet of the preparation for a medical malpractice trial. Well known within the community of doctors and lawyers are all the nasty and devious tricks that can be played by either side to suppress or exaggerate evidence. This runs the gambit from the defense changing medical entries on patient records to paid experts who can twist standards of care to suit their employer of the day. From the plaintiff s point of view, damages can be exaggerated, but also more importantly, not only does the doctor go on trial for his conduct, but the plaintiff must be prepared to expose her entire life to a jury. Superimposed on the many details the book examines is the author s treatment of the principal characters.