Medical malpractice reform may not benefit patients

Of the trillions of dollars spent each year on health care, studies show that hundreds of billions go to defensive medicine. This includes tests and procedures doctors in Pennsylvania and elsewhere order to protect themselves from being sued for medical malpractice. While some say this is leading to a crisis in the health care industry, others contend that the current state of malpractice tort has created a better environment for patients.

Some lawmakers are proposing reforms to the health care industry, including medical malpractice laws. They are looking at a number of states that have enacted reforms with some success. Those reforms, they say, have reduced liability premiums and increased patient access to medical specialists. Among the points of reform, lawmakers intend to enact federal caps on malpractice damage claims, which more than half of the states already have.

Others disagree with the idea that the system needs to be reformed. Damage caps may make it difficult for injured patients to find lawyers willing to invest the extensive time and money it takes to prepare a malpractice case. In addition, some feel caps will not do justice to those who suffer tremendously from medical mistakes. Neither does it hold accountable those medical professionals who act with negligence causing great harm.

More than 250,000 patients die each year from mistakes made by medical professionals. Medical malpractice is now the third most common cause of death in the country. Those in Pennsylvania who have been injured through the negligence of a medical professional deserve a venue through which to seek restitution. By contacting an attorney, they can begin the process of pursuing possible compensation for their suffering.

This blog entry was posted on behalf of [nap_names id=”FIRM-NAME-1″], and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the firm or its attorneys. The information presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice.

Source: The Washington Post, “Top Republicans say there’s a medical malpractice crisis. Experts say there isn’t.“, Chad Terhune, Dec. 30, 2016