Congress has just passed new legislation that if enacted, will harm patients already suffering as a result of medical malpractice. The legislation, H.R. 1215, will limit the amount those injured by medical errors to $250,000 for non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include such things as pain and suffering and emotional distress. Economic damages are items such as lost wages. Where the victim of medical negligence does not earn a high wage, the amount of recovery where non-economic damages are capped may limit his or her ability to obtain fair and just compensation.
Further, while many seek ways to reduce health care spending, capping damages awards for victims of malpractice has not been shown to have any real benefit – statistics reveal that it doesn’t reduce how much doctors pay in insurance, and it doesn’t improve the quality of care patients receive. Rather, it victimizes those injured by depriving them of redress after a medical mistake has altered their life, many times permanently and catastrophically.
As Los Angeles medical malpractice trial attorneys, we represent those harmed by medical errors and will continue to fight to protect their rights. For more information or if you or a loved one has been harmed by medical malpractice, please contact our dedicated Los Angeles medical negligence lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson, LLP for an immediate consultation.
