Personal Injury Law

Tort Reform Only Hurts Victims of Negligence

By Steven M. Levin and John J. Perconti

President Obama has recently stated that he would be open to suggestions about constraining lawsuits by the victims of medical malpractice. While many attack lawyers and lawsuits, many forget that civil lawsuits shine a spotlight on wrongdoing, call the offenders to account, deter future misbehavior and provide for the people who have been hurt. Studies have revealed that approximately 100,000 people die each year due to medical malpractice in U.S. hospitals. States normally only impose minor sanctions in these cases and the one fair outcome is a medical malpractice lawsuit. The family should not have to face an arbitrary cap on the amount of damages. Additionally there are many significant protections against frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits. First, if a lawsuit is devoid of merit, a judge can sanction the lawyer and dismiss the case. Also, a judge can reduce an award that is too large and appeals are an obvious possibility. If you would like to read more about from the medical malpractice essay, please click the link.

Full post as published by Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog on December 25, 2009 (boomark / email).