The Need for Caps in Malpractice

Jacksonville Times-Union ^ | May 4, 2003

[Freedom4US]

I had a guy try to tell me that malpractice insurance only costs consumers 1% of the total health care costs. That can't possibly be true, can it

[Mamzelle]

re: On average, doctors provide appropriate health care only about half the time, a study of adults in 12 U.S. metropolitan areas suggests. )))

Was this the study was in that colorful little box in USAToday?

Well, I suppose that means when you close the hospitals there'll be a lot less malpractice. But then, what'll the poor lawyers do then? Find honest work?

The insurance is unavailable and unaffordable. We just can't afford to support our parasites in the style to which they want to become accustomed. When all is said and done, it won't matter who does the malpracticing if the system to insure against it is destroyed.

There are all kinds of destructive professionals who get a pass from liability. Judges, for one, who put the wrong person in jail or award the wrong person--they ruin lives every day, and no one sues them. Yet, the world keeps on a-turnin'.

In arguments with lawyers--they won't address this. It's as if money grows on a settlement tree and the evil hospital just stands in the way. The money comes from premiums and investments--if you don't shepherd the insurance, if you abuse it, it won't be there for you (or that person, um, oh yeah...your client).

[Mamzelle]

Who said kill the lawyers? I'd settle for some heavy maiming.

It's always cute to watch a profession dominated by incompetents and knaves climb up on a high horse to criticize docs and hospitals...And the focus is always on the docs, when it's also the hospitals that are sagging under the direct and indirect costs of litigiousness.

It'd be interesting for USAtoday to have a study, and ask the question--Does your lawyer return your calls after he banks your retainer check? Maybe the ABA would be so kind...

[Mamzelle]

I don't want to see the government sued. That's me, you know, the taxpayer.

Let's sue the judge.

[Mamzelle]

re: Since a lawsuit takes years to pursue, it is difficult to find an attorney who will take such a case if there is a ceiling on the recovery. )))

PS--like I said, the world just keeps on a-turnin'--but at least he can still get to the ER if he gets in an accident after being turned loose...

[Mamzelle]

I'm getting dizzy here...

[Labyrinthos]

The attorneys work business hours, go home, take weekends off, and never work holidays, unless they want to. I do not have that leisure. Docs also have at least 7 years training after college, unlike our the parasitic attorneys that only have 3 years after college work.

Excuse me? During my first 15 years of practice, I regularly worked 80 hours a week spread over seven days, never came close to using my allotted vacation time, and spend far too many nights in airports and hotels rather than home with my young children and wife (now ex-wife). And while doctor's typically have 7 years of formal training after college to a lawyer's three years, the first four to five years of practice as a lawyer is learning the most basic skills that the average "Law and Order" or "LA Law" fan takes for granted.