Ask the Lawyer: Why do so many doctors require arbitration?

Q: We have a very good doctor. Part of going to see him, however, has meant signing an agreement to arbitrate should we ever have a legal claim about the services provided. The language indicates in bold print we are waiving the right to a jury trial. Why is this agreement to arbitrate so important to our doctor?
-K.H., Torrance
Ron Sokol
A: Generally the rationale for an arbitration clause is that the proceedings tend to be private, and the party against whom a claim is brought avoids the