Entrepreneurs: Sorry, the Doctor Is Out

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Find a niche and fill it, experts advise entrepreneurs. That is exactly what Michael Eckstein, a former health-care executive, and Ian Sharp, a computer- software designer, did. Their Physician's Alert compiles lists of people who have filed medical-malpractice, product-liability and personal-injury lawsuits. Customers, primarily doctors, pay annual membership charges of $150 for access to the lists.

Eckstein and Sharp launched the business in Chicago last June. In November they started service in Southern California, and they plan to expand to Colorado, New York, Michigan, Florida and Texas by year's end.

Though consumer advocates complain that the service creates a blacklist, Physician's Alert insists that its customers merely want to be cautious in treating people who might sue. Says Eckstein: "We know of no instance in which a patient has been refused care."