Illinois trial lawyers and the Illinois State Medical Inter-insurance Exchange are locked in a struggle for the hearts and
minds of Illinois legislators, with the future of medical services in Illinois at stake.
The two camps have widely different views on the causes and solutions to the medical malpractice insurance crisis. Some
legislators are skeptical that anything of substance will be sent to Gov. Rod Blagojevich for his signature by May 21, the end
of the regular session.
A bipartisan Senate
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Malpractice insurance premiums for Metro East-based physicians have more than doubled over the past 36 months, causing many
to relocate, retire or even switch professions. |
Legislators consider raising the bar on malpractice suits
By ALAN J. ORTBALS
SPRINGFIELD - Lobbyists representing doctors, lawyers, hospitals and the insurance industry are arguing before an Illinois
Senate ad hoc committee about the medical malpractice insurance crisis in an effort to mold legislation to their liking.
Ideas include reducing the number of frivolous lawsuits, developing greater expertise in the process, tightening the
standards for certificates of merit, establishing an expert review panel and creating a separate court system for malpractice
claims.
Illinois is one of 17 states requiring a certificate of merit to file a malpractice suit. Any doctor can sign it, stating
the opinion that the plaintiff's case has merit. The standards, however, are low, according to Sen. David Luechtefeld
(R-Okawville), a member of the committee.
"You could have had brain surgery and you could have a dermatologist sign that," he said.
Raising these standards to reduce the number of frivolous suits
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Admitting fault up front saves money long term, study shows
By KERRY L. SMITH
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Dr. Steve Kraman's statistics are based on his study of 35 Veterans Affairs hospitals across the U.S. and their average
financial payouts to victims and families due to medical malpractice incidents.
To err is human, but to voluntarily communicate that error to grieving relatives after a medical procedure has gone awry -
rather than heeding the hospital attorney's advice to close the books and avoid the questions - has proven to pay
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