December 19, 2005
The Maryland Board of Physicians' Web site is the official source of information about doctors but includes very little about their malpractice claims histories. To find that information, consumers must go elsewhere.

All malpractice claims are filed with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office, at 6 St. Paul St., Baltimore. (410-767-8200; 1-800- 492-1951. Web: www.mdarchives.state.md.us/ msa/mdmanual/25ind/html/42healc.html ) Claims can be looked up by name of the defendant or the person who filed it. Consumers can visit the office or obtain copies for $15 each.

Records may be found at the courthouse, since claims are rarely resolved by the alternative dispute resolution office and most get filed as lawsuits in the jurisdictions where the alleged malpractice occurred.

However, it is unlikely that you'll find out much more. Claims usually are settled confidentially, without a finding of fault or disclosure of details such as the amount paid.