Recent News
A Case for Malpractice Reform
The medical malpractice process was designed to allow fair and just compensation when a patient is harmed through negligent health care; it is an important part of our health care system. Ideally, it would function smoothly, bringing prompt justice to those who have...
Med-mal caps in the crosshairs as trial lawyers attack California’s landmark act
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A landmark act constraining the amount of money plaintiffs attorneys and their clients can reap from medical malpractice lawsuits has come under fire by California trial lawyers – an expensive battle that may end up spreading to...
Doctors Spend More Time in the Courtroom Than the Classroom
Medical malpractice suits are time consuming and emotionally draining. The average physician spends more time—about 11 percent of his or her career—embroiled in malpractice litigation than it takes to complete medical school. Most claims consume two years prior to...
Is There Any Hope for Malpractice Reform?
There Are Rays of Hope Medical malpractice continues to loom large in the minds of just about every practicing physician. Claims and rates are declining, but the problem of lawsuits against physicians is far from tapering off. And upcoming changes in medicine due to...
‘Black box’ tracks errors in Toronto operating room
A “black box” installed in a Toronto operating room earlier this year has found that surgical teams are making the vast majority of their errors during the same two steps surgery after surgery. Now researchers are looking at how to reduce those mistakes and prevent...
Mississippi Tort Reform at 10 Years
Former Gov. Barbour says state was facing ‘health care crisis’ with doctors and hospitals unable to afford insurance and afraid to practice because of lawsuits. As the 10th anniversary of Mississippi’s 2004 “tort reform” — limits on lawsuits — nears, supporters say...
Hospitals Battle Medical Malpractice Costs
Connecticut hospitals have seen a slow, but steady decline in medical malpractice insurance expenses in recent years, a positive sign for an industry that was battered by skyrocketing costs a decade ago. The state's 29 acute care hospitals spent $119.9 million on...
‘Apology Bill’ Shields Health Care Providers’ Apologies from Malpractice Suits in Wisconsin
Apologies by health care workers are protected from being used against them in court by a new law enacted in Wisconsin, which is one of more than 35 states to enact such a law. The law, Assembly Bill 120, was signed by Governor Scott Walker on April 8 in Madison. The...
California’s Malpractice Ruse
AG Kamala Harris helps the trial bar try to sneak one past voters. One of California's few emollients for employers is its limit on "pain and suffering" medical liability judgments, which has improved access to medical care and held down health costs. But look out:...
Medical liability reform will ease doctor shortage
Medical liability reform will ease doctor shortage Kudos to The News for reporting on the doctor shortage in upstate and Western New York. Unfortunately, the article cited “experts” saying that the reason we are facing a doctor shortage is that upstate New York lacks...