| Apportionment: The process of determining the percentage of a settlement that is attributed to a named or alleged licensed healthcare practitioner as a result of a claim for damages for death or personal injury allegedly resulting from a licensee’s negligence, error, or omission in practice by the unauthorized rendering of professional services.
Arbitration: The process of resolving a dispute through the use of an unbiased third person (arbitrator) designated by the involved parties, who agree in advance to comply with the award decision of the arbitrator.
Judgment: A decision by a court that resolves a dispute and determines the rights and obligations of the parties involved, including any required payout of money by the parties involved (such as named licensed healthcare practitioners in a medical malpractice lawsuit).
Licensee: An individual who is licensed and authorized by the State of California to provide healthcare services (e.g. physicians, residents with training licenses, nurses, psychologist, social worker, etc.).
Mediation: A process of resolving a dispute through a neutral third-party mediator who acts as a facilitator in negotiating an agreement between contesting parties. Mediation differs from arbitration in that the involved parties are not bound by the recommendations of the mediator.
National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB): A clearinghouse developed by the federal government to collect and release certain information related to the professional competence and conduct of physicians, nurses, and other licensee(s).
Settlement: The process of resolving a dispute between parties without pursuing the matter through a trial.
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