The science of malpractice

The Washington Times ^ | July 25, 2004 | Masthead Editorial

[neverdem]

Sen. John Edwards made his millions by making a science of malpractice cases. The trial lawyer carefully screened potential plaintiffs and then used a mixture of research and rhetoric to prove cases in court, winning exceptionally large jury payoffs.

However, the North Carolina Democrat appears to have often used cause and effect relationships that were suspect then and are even more dubious now. That practice gives an ominous prelude to the political themes that would play during an Edwards vice presidency.

Mr. Edwards earned a considerable portion of his millions on cerebral palsy cases. Cerebral palsy is a set of debilitating diseases that impair movement. The muscular disorders — which can include involuntary movements and difficulties with many motor tasks, ranging from walking to writing — are caused by damage to or faulty development of the motor areas of the brain. Until the 1980s, many medical professionals believed that damage could be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain during delivery. As a consequence, Mr. Edwards was able to successfully sue doctors who did not demand Caesarean deliveries as soon as the infant's fetal monitor suggested that it was short of oxygen.

[neverdem]

PING

[FormerACLUmember]

Outstanding post. Be sure to read the entire devastating article. It completely nails Edwards as a charlatan and complete sociopath in a $5000 suit.

THank you!

[jnarcus]

Just another reason that malpractise lawyers should be treated like the vermin they are

[punster]

What is John Edwards?

Can you say shyster?

Can you say ambulance-chaser?

[lainde]

I shudder to think of him in the WH. No pro bono cases? And he really cares for the "little guy"!!!!

[Mamzelle]

It's a rare lawyer who actually does pro bono, though movie lawyers do it all the time.

When a lawyer does claim to do it, chances are he's just writing off a bad debt to charity.

Or, the judge makes him take a pauper defendant in a criminal case--

If you want to find a lawyer who actually donates some of his time to the poor--look on the boards of your local charities. The ones who help out the charities with free legal advice are the ones who deserve the praise.