Opinion

If Florida's Supreme Court can't speak tort reform, perhaps the state's medical and legal leaders can

LETTER — Posted Dec. 25, 2006

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Regarding "Medical liability: Florida voters speak, but no one listens" (Editorial, Nov. 20): I can only concur that the Florida Supreme Court let down the citizens of this state as well as the physicians. To strike down, in all effect, a constitutional amendment approved by a majority of the citizens to limit legal fees in a malpractice case is a slap in the face of our constitutional right to amend the state laws.

It was recently announced that the Florida Medical Assn. president is working with the Florida Bar Assn. president to form a joint committee to explore issues of mutual concern that cause tension between the medical and legal communities in Florida. I would suggest a meeting to discuss alternatives to the present civil court system for settling claims of medical malpractice.

Isn't it time to create an administrative court with judges who have professional knowledge of the issues instead of lay juries providing judgments based on their emotions as much as the science of the matter? With more efficient courts and more reasonable settlements, the financial burden of medical malpractice will be reduced and distributed better to the victims who have suffered the injuries. Anything less is trying to tread water in quicksand.

William Voltaire Choisser, MD, Orange Park, Fla.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/12/25/edlt1225.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn