We have your career covered

At MIGA, our philosophy is focussed on always being there for our clients.  Whether it is arranging your insurance, dealing with a claim, or seeking advice or information, you can rely on us…Always.
 
Find out more about our ethos, our extensive experience and our passionate team.
 

To help you understand the types of situations where you may require the assistance of your insurer, we’ve developed short case studies based on real life examples.  These cases highlight the value – financially and emotionally – of having MIGA’s legal team to support you, both for complex claims and everyday advice.

Scenario

The doctor was working in the emergency department of a public hospital. A patient on the methadone program presented unwell after experiencing a reaction to administered drugs.  Unsure of how to proceed, the doctor rang the patient’s usual GP.  He was informed that the patient was in breach of parole conditions and may also be at risk of harm to himself and others.
 

Assistance from MIGA

Distressed by his conversation with the GP, the doctor was unsure whether he needed to report the patient to the police.  He contacted MIGA’s 24/7 emergency advice line in the early hours of the morning and was told there was no obligation to contact the police about the patient’s presentation.  The doctor was instead advised to consider a psychiatric review of the patient, along with any other necessary clinical inputs, to determine whether the patient could be released from the ED department once the presenting condition had stabilised.
 

Outcome

The timely advice received from MIGA enabled the doctor to treat the patient appropriately without the fear of being drawn into a claim or incurring legal expenses in the future.

Scenario

A registrar in a public hospital was responsible for the delivery of a term baby.  Although expected to be routine, the delivery quickly went downhill and the registrar contacted his supervising obstetrician.  Despite the best efforts of the registrar, he was unable to convince the obstetrician to come into the hospital to assist with the difficult instrumental delivery.
 
The events surrounding the delivery were subsequently investigated by the hospital, with criticisms of the registrar posed by the obstetrician.
 

Assistance from MIGA

MIGA and its panel solicitors assisted the registrar in responding to the issues for investigation, and were there to support the registrar throughout the interview process.  This experience is unfamiliar for most doctors and can be extremely stressful without the help and guidance of an experienced legal team.
 

Outcome

The investigation made no adverse findings against the registrar, with only the obstetrician disciplined for their actions.  Had the doctor not been insured with MIGA, they would have had to fund their own legal expenses of at least $2,500.
 

Scenario

A hospital doctor became caught up in a coronial investigation, employment dispute (termination of contract) and Medical Board investigation following the death of a patient in ICU.  What ensued at the hospital was a very acrimonious dispute, with some aspects even receiving media attention.  Various staff held strong views about the patient’s management, and long standing ‘issues’ between staff added to the dispute.
 

Assistance from MIGA

The doctor received extensive support from MIGA and our panel solicitors.  The case carried over a period of nearly three years, and during this time the doctor was thankful to be able to access medical and peer support through MIGA’s Practitioners’ Support Service.
 

Outcome

With the assistance of MIGA, the doctor was ultimately vindicated.  He was exonerated in the Coroner’s Court, reinstated to his position at the hospital and received a very minimal, inconsequential finding from the Medical Board.
 
Over the three year period, legal expenses totalled more than $850,000.  Without his insurance cover with MIGA, the doctor would have been unable to afford the same level of legal expertise, which may have resulted in a significantly different outcome.