Malpractice Litigation and Advocacy

Malpractice Litigation and Advocacy

From Doctors and Litigation: The L Word by Gita Pensa MD

December 16, 2025 · 55 min · Season 3 · Episode 3

About this episode

This episode discusses tort reform in the US and features insights from physician-lawyer Dr. Shilpa Mathew.

This month we take a high level view of the landscape of 'tort reform' in the US (and what does that even mean?) Physician-lawyer Dr. Shilpa Mathew, MD JD, walks us through some basics of tort law and advocacy efforts in the US, how you can get involved, and why it matters. (Note: Dr. Mathew's views expressed in this podcast are strictly her own, and not representative of her employer or ACOG.) Shilpa Mathew, MD, JD, is a Northern California physician double board-certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Lifestyle Medicine. She is a former practicing attorney who spent the latter half of her legal career focused on health insurance and regulatory compliance and brings a unique perspective to the intersection of law, medicine, and policy. She has long been active in health advocacy and policy efforts—ranging from things such as pro bono legal work to protect basic health rights of foreign detainees in US prisons to serving as a medical student delegate to the California and American Medical Associations. She has a particular passion for issues related to medical malpractice and focused her residency research project on malpractice knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of OB/GYN…

People in this episode

Host: Gita Pensa MD

Guest: Shilpa Mathew, MD JD

Topics covered

  • tort reform
  • malpractice litigation
  • health advocacy
  • medical policy
  • physician-lawyer perspective

Keywords

  • tort reform
  • malpractice
  • health advocacy
  • physician-lawyer
  • medical policy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Places: United States, Northern California

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