The Region : Doctors Using Service to Ward Off Suits

Between 200 and 300 Los Angeles area physicians have subscribed so far to the private computerized information service identifying patients who frequently file lawsuits, according to Mitchell S. Karlan, president of the 10,150-member Los Angeles County Medical Assn. But still to reach fruition are counter plans by angered members of the Los Angeles Trial Lawyers Assn. to set up a hot line informing prospective patients about physicians who are often sued. Gary Paul, president of the lawyers’ association, said it hopes to have its service operating this month, supplying for a $5 fee information about any doctor who has been sued in the last 10 years. It will serve the 213 and 818 prefix areas. The medical association’s recommendation that local doctors sign up for Physician’s Alert because of the rising tide of malpractice lawsuits was perceived by the lawyers’ group as an attempt to “intimidate” people who have sued in the past.