Pennsylvania Lawyers Resist Caps By Using Patient Photos

ceecel.dee, MSN, RN · May 19, 2003

I agree that victims do have individual, human faces, but there would be an exponentially higher number of individual, human faces if they represented those paying the astronomical amounts of $ due to the hyper-litigous nature of our society.

Gator,SN · May 19, 2003

According the state representative in my area, this is going to be a big problem here because we (PA) are so very close to Maryland (within 10 miles)and drs are starting to move their practices. We are a small community and need docotrs to stay put.

Caveman · May 20, 2003

Had an interesting discussion today with a trial lawyer regarding caps on medical malpractice awards. According to him, medical malpractice insurance is one of the most profitable types of iinsurance a company can sell. Insurance companies are simply taking advantage of the economic situation to gouge doctors with exorbitant rate increases. He is also of the opinion that a huge percentage of the medical malpractice cases involve the same "bad apples" being sued over and over again. The vast majority of doctors never have to use their malpractice insurance. If we could get rid of the really rotten doctors, insurance costs would drop like a rock. Finally, given the high cost of litigation, caps on damages would effectively price many plaintiffs right out of the courtroom.

Keep in mind...this is from a trial lawyer who has a vested interest. Also keep in mind that doctors, insurance companies, and patients are not exactly neutral bystanders either. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 20, 2003

Beg to differ.....

I think most of the fault lies with the shady trial lawyers who are appealing to the baser elements in human nature, feeding off peoples' greed. They are true parasites. Type in any medical subject (such as cerebral palsy, etc., etc.) on a search engine--there's a virtual plague of these uscrupulous lawyers, not to mention their brazen adds on TV, in magazines, and on the radio. It's enough to make you sick. Being a victim and suing someone for big bucks has become the new "National Lottery." (Ka-Ching!!!!) Not to make light of legitimate claims, but something has to be done. If we don't act soon, there isn't going to be any health access in certain areas of the country.

funnygirl_rn · May 20, 2003

VickyRN....yep...for some people & lawyers as well, a law-suit has become a lottery ticket! Those televised ads leave people to ponder & consider.

liberalrn · May 23, 2003

Those "ambulance chaser" ads do not represent the majority of med/mal lawyers either. Agree that solution is prob. in the middle: rid the MD profession of lousy docs, curb the greed of trial lwayers and the ins. co--the true culprits in my book.