Important Issues in Medicine and Law
These articles highlight some important issues in the public policy debate surrounding medical malpractice and health care costs.
February 11, 2010 - The price of courage in the health care system can end a career for the whistleblower nurse or doctor. Can you even imagine how hard it is for doctors and nurses to stand up for patients in the legal system and come to a court room? Read the press release IMPACT OF WEST TEXAS NURSE TRIAL WILL REVERBERATE FOR PATIENTS
UPMC ordered to pay $5 million in lawsuit
UPMC McKeesport Responsible for Medication Error On February 5, 2009 an Allegheny County, Pennsylvania jury awarded $5 Million dollars in a medical malpractice case against UPMC McKeesport. A 59 year old woman suffered permanent brain damage from negligent care and a medication error.
Woman awarded $5 million in sodium infusion case
Doctors assigned blame in jury award This April 2008 article discusses the chain of medical mistakes that lead to the death of a man from pulmonary embolism and the $1.4 million jury award that Veronica Richards won for his family.
Standing up for patients This letter from Veronica Richards to the editor of a Pittsburgh newspaper makes the point that trial attorneys can help protect the integrity of the health care system.
Damages Caps Not Answer to Crisis This letter from Veronica Richards appeared in the Pittsburgh Business Times, and shows that no amount of damages could fully compensate the victims of medical negligence.
Attorneys Gear Up for Suits Over "Virtual Medicine' Critics say the legal system has not kept pace with online diagnoses and other technological advances in medicine.
Full Circle Veronica Richards wrote this article on the public policy dimensions of medical malpractice litigation while serving as president of the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association.
