MEDICAL MALPRACTICE JURY PROFILE OUTLINE
There is no single profile that is perfect for any juror in a medical malpractice case. However, there are some characteristics and attitudes that commonly are relevant factors in evaluating a potential juror in such case. What follows is a single page outline of a juror profile in such a case which will have some general application in evaluating potential jurors. It is from an actual trial, but obviously requires a good deal of revision to be applicable in an individual case. Consider it a frame work for creating a useful one in your case.
MALPRACTICE JURY PROFILE
GOOD PROFILE BAD PROFILE
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1. HAVE NO PERSONAL DOCTOR 2. SWITCHED DOCS IN LAST 2 YRS. 3. HAD BAD EXPERIENCE WITH DOC 4. TAKES NO MEDICATION 5. NO VISITS TO DOC IN LAST YEAR 6. HAD NO PHYSICAL LAST 3 YRS. 7. NO DOCS/NURSE IN FAMILY 8. SWITCHED DOCS IN LAST 2 YRS. 9. HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR DOCS |
1. HAVE PERSONAL DOC 2. SAME DOC 4 OR MORE YRS. 3. NO BAD EXPERIENCE WITH DOC 4. TAKES MEDICATION REGULARLY 5. 3 OR MORE VISITS IN LAST YEAR 6. HAD PHYSICAL IN LAST 1.5 YRS. 7. HAVE DOC/NURSE IN FAMILY 8. HAD SAME DOC 4 OR MORE YRS. 9. REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS ONLY |
Responsibility Attitude
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JUROR IS: 1. BELIEVES A LEADER MUST TAKE CHARGE 2. IS IN A PROFESSION WHICH REQUIRES PERFECTION WITHOUT ERRORS 3. RESPONSIBLE FOR STAFF ACTIONS |
JUROR IS: 1. ONE WHO DEFERS TO AUTHORITY 2. EMPLOYMENT WHERE ERRORS ARE NOT IMPORTANT OR CRUCIAL 3. HAS -NO SUPERVISION DUTIES |
Elitism
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1. BELONGS TO COMMON GROUPS 2. RECEIVED NO AWARDS – HONORS |
1. BELONGS TO ELITIST GROUPS 2. RECEIVED DISTINCTIONS & HONORS |
Sympathetic Extravagance
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1. RELAXED DEMEANOR 2. NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FAMILY BILL PAYING |
1. TENSE DOMINANT DEMEANOR 2. RESPONSIBLE FAMILY FINANCE |
Decision Making Style
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1. MAKES QUICK DECISIONS |
2. MAKES SLOW DELIBERATE ONES |
Risk Taking
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1. LOVES ADVENTURE, DANGER, RISK 2. GENERALLY BOLD & DARING |
1. WANTS HIGH LEVEL OF SECURITY 2. CONSERVATIVE, NEVER GAMBLES |