Medical malpractice claims against dermatologists and dermapathologists arise mostly out of claims for negligence—when a patient claims a provider owed a duty to a patient, breached that duty, and caused damages to the patient. When a health care provider files a claim with his or her insurance company, the insurance company will usually retain and pay an attorney for the health care provider. It is important to understand the role the attorney retained by the insurance company plays to evaluate whether a health care provider should seek the advice of independent or “personal” counsel. Semin Cutan Med Surg 32:230-233 © 2013 Frontline Medical CommunicationsMedical malpractice claims against dermatologists and dermapathologists arise mostly out of claims for negligence—when a patient claims a provider owed a duty to a patient, breached that duty, and caused damages to the patient. When a health care provider files a claim with his or her insurance company, the insurance company will usually retain and pay an attorney for the health care provider. It is important to understand the role the attorney retained by the insurance company plays to evaluate whether a health care provider should seek the advice of independent or “personal” counsel. Semin Cutan Med Surg 32:230-233 © 2013 Frontline Medical Communications