Where can I find pending malpractice info on a doctor?

✓ Accepted answer

You cannot view pending medical malpractice cases on the California Medical Board website, as state law keeps active and dismissed claims confidential; instead, you must access this data by visiting your local county courthouse to review the Civil Index.

• Under California law, pending or dismissed medical malpractice cases are not public record and will not appear on a physician's profile on the Medical Board's website. The Board explicitly states that such confidential information is not available through their online search or standard public disclosure channels.
• To find specific pending litigation, you should go in person to the Civil Index at the county courthouse where the case is filed. Here, you can search for the physician's name to see active civil claims, which provides a direct look at pending legal issues that are not yet finalized.
• For finalized disciplinary actions or complaints that have resulted in penalties, you can use the Medical Board of California's online License Verification tool to view the physician's public profile, which lists board-approved sanctions and license status.
• Additionally, you can check the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments website to see if the doctor receives financial incentives from drug or medical device companies, which is separate from malpractice but relevant to potential conflicts of interest.
• Keep in mind that court records can be complex, and a dismissed case does not necessarily prove wrongdoing, so use this information alongside other red flags when evaluating a provider's suitability for your care.

Warning sign: If a doctor refuses to provide their professional license number or discourages you from verifying their background through official state boards and court records, contact the Medical Board immediately to report potential fraud or concealment.

admin · 2026-10-26 03:54:29