This past Monday, April 25th, a health care summit was held at the Hyatt on Delaware Ave in Philadelphia, PA that focused on medical malpractice and possible tort reform in Pennsylvania. The summit was put together by Dr. Peter Kowey, a cardiologist at Main Line Health, and attendees included local doctors and attorneys.
Medical Malpractice Summit Brings New Ideas for Reform
At the summit, doctors maintained that tort reform is necessary because the threat of medical malpractice lawsuits forces them to practice “defensive medicine,” a system of ordering too many unnecessary tests in order to avoid being sued. Attorneys and patient advocacy groups maintained that the real reform needed is of the healthcare system, patient safety, and patient support. Patient advocates also push for reform of insurance companies and the amount of money they are allowed to charge.
Patients advocates and attorneys fear that reform of the tort system regarding medical malpractice will serve to remove the rights of injured patients to compensation. Tort reform has already taken a huge toll on patient rights in Texas as awards for damages in medical malpractice cases in the state have been reduced to almost nothing, preventing attorneys from taking cases. Without representation, patients remain uncompensated. Kowey claimed that doctors do not want to remove a patient’s right to compensation for medical errors, but to repair what they believe is a flawed system for determining liability.
Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia
Our attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured patients. Medical errors have the potential to ruin lives, and compensation is often necessary to pay for the extra, required medical costs.
If you or a loved one have recently been victimized by medical negligence, Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.