More doctors claiming malpractice insurance costs are driving them out of business

CBS Evening News
Sunday, February 23, 2003

 

PINKSTON: Around the country, physicians are putting down their stethoscopes and picking up picket signs, calling for legislation to limit jury awards to hold down malpractice insurance premiums. Twenty-four states have already imposed caps on malpractice awards. Congress is now considering a nationwide limit of $250,000 for pain and suffering judgments.

Ms. JOANNE DOROSHOW (Center For Justice & Democracy): I think it's an outrage.

PINKSTON: Consumer advocates insist caps won't help patients or doctors, but will help insurance companies.
Ms. DOROSHOW: States that have gone ahead and tried to cap jury awards to try to solve this insurance problem have found that insurance companies continue to raise rates.

PINKSTON: But the insurance industry insists excessive malpractice awards are draining profits and raising costs.

Mr. P.J. CROWLEY (Insurance Information Institute): Lawyers sue doctors. Doctors then order more tests because they're afraid of getting sued.

PINKSTON: But don't talk to Norma Valasquez about protecting doctors or insurance companies.

Ms. NORMA VALASQUEZ (Mother Of Overdose Victim): You don't put a price tag on someone's life.

PINKSTON: Her son, Eddie, was being treated in New Jersey for leukemia when doctors gave him an overdose of a chemotherapy drug. He died 10 weeks later. His mother is insulted by the idea of a $250,000 cap.

Ms. VALASQUEZ: My son's life is worth more than that.
For a copy of the complete article, contact CJ&D.

Join Our Fight!

The Center for Justice & Democracy is the only national consumer organization in the country exclusively dedicated to protecting our civil justice system. If you'd like more information, please contact us.

Connect with us

CIVIL JUSTICE ISSUES IN YOUR STATE