Selecting an attorney for legal cases is a very important decision. Please enter your information below to receive a Free Consultation from an attorney in your area:
Medical
Malpractice News
Medical Malpractice Reform Would Curb Costs & Improve Access To Health Care
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The shortcomings of the medical liability system have driven up health insurance premiums and reduced access to medical care, according to a new Joint Economic Committee (JEC) study released today by Vice Chairman Jim Saxton. The new study, Liability for Medical Malpractice: Issues and Evidence, examines the current status of the malpractice system, documents the numerous flaws in the system, and discusses the need for and benefits of reform.
"The United States health care system offers the best quality care in the world," Saxton said. "It is therefore dismaying to see the consequences of exploding malpractice insurance costs. The typical jury award in medical malpractice cases is now $1 million. As a result, doctors are being driven out of medical care or are limiting their services. Hospital emergency rooms are often threatened with closure, and sometimes actually close due to the high cost of malpractice insurance. And low-income households are finding health insurance increasingly unaffordable.
"Among the key findings of the new JEC study is that the lawsuit-based tort system for medical malpractice currently fails to achieve either of its goals. First, the system fails to provide compensation to the right people, as most malpractice claims are not tied to a negligent injury and most victims of negligent injuries never file a claim. Second, the tort system does not consistently punish negligent doctors.
"The time has come to reform the medical malpractice system," Saxton continued. "The reforms reported in this new JEC study would reduce overall spending on health care, and save the federal government upwards of $67 billion over the next ten years. Medical malpractice reform will benefit patients by increasing their access to medical care and by making health insurance more affordable as costs go down. Moreover, many women will find it easier to get Ob/Gyn care," Saxton concluded.
Patients die in hospitals and in care from negligence
Between 44,000 and 98,000 people die in hospitals annually each year due to preventable medical errors, the Institute of Medicine found.
Newsroom
News about Medical Malpractice cases in Utah and nationwide:
Definition:
The use of res ipsa loquitur should be prohibited in medical malpractice cases because under this doctrine the mere fact that the injury occurs means that the defendant was negligent, although it is not all the time.
Elder Abuse
Definition:
Is any "physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction or other treatment with resulting in physical harm or pain or mental suffering, or the deprivation by a care custodian of goods or services that are necessary to avoid physical harm or mental suffering
Stipulation
Definition:
An agreement, admission or concession made in a judicial proceeding by the parties or their attorneys, thus relieving a party of its obligation to produce evidence in support of an argument or allegation.
Legal Disclaimers All attorney listings are a paid attorney advertisement, and do not in any way constitute a referral or endorsement by an approved or authorized lawyer referral service. The information provided on Medical Malpractice Lawyers Utah.com is not intended to be legal advice, but merely conveys
general information related to legal issues commonly encountered. Your access
to and use of this website is subject to additional Terms
and Conditions.
Local Professional? Generate new business today
Call 866-227-9356 or contact a sales rep
Did You Know?