contracts

I wanted to post my experiences to create awareness among future ortho graduates. I found myself in a situation where I had signed a contract and later had to back out of it before I started because the hospital misrepresented the opportunity to me. The unfortunate mistake cost me thoasands of dollars (well over ten grand) to settle the issue. I would strongly recommend to anyone not to sign a contract with a liqudated damages clause you will never know what may happen in the future. You may want to consider finding another opportunity if the hospital refuses to remove the clause from the contract.

Could you elaborate a little more so we could have a better picture of your situation to learn from?

What is liquidated damages?

I am not a lawyer nor do I pretend to be one. My understanding of liquidated damages, it is an amount of money (damages) agreed upon by the parties involved with the contract if the contract is breached. Once the contract is signed and before the doctor starts a practice he/she can be sued for damages if the contract is breached. Please do an internet search on liquidated damages, contracts may have this clause in it and doctors need to be aware of it. My situation is simple, I signed a contract and few weeks later I backed out because the hospital had misrepresented the call and hospital coverage. This misrepresentation occurred before and after the contract was signed. My mistake cost me dearly and I ended up paying the piper. Please don't repeat my mistake. My purpose in posting my experience is not to get even with the hospital but create awareness regarding liguidated damages clause in contracts. If a doctor is presented with a contract with this clause, in my opinion, the clause should be removed before signing, or stay away from the opportunity all together, or bite the bullet and sign the contract because its the best job in the world!

Thanks for your post. I would always be very suspect of contracts from hospitals. You are always an employee and never a partner.

To all, make sure that you have a contract attorney look over you contracts before you sign one. Preferentially, an attorney with healthcare contract experience. In addition, make sure the contract spells out your duties including call coverage expectations, vacation, etc...