Government
Illinois bill would expand list of losses allowed under noneconomic damages
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 21, 2007
Illinois physicians are protesting a bill they say would reverse course on enacted medical liability reforms.
In April, the House passed a measure that would allow noneconomic damages for grief, sorrow and mental suffering in wrongful-death lawsuits. Current law allows spouses and next of kin of the deceased to recover money for loss of society and companionship, and deprivation of care and protection, among other losses.
Rodney C. Osborn, MD, president of the Illinois State Medical Society, said the bill "is clearly an attempt to inflate damages in medical liability awards and is a major step in the wrong direction."
In 2005, lawmakers passed a $500,000 cap on noneconomic damages levied against doctors in medical liability cases. Dr. Osborn said the law has helped maintain access to care in the state. The cap faces a constitutional challenge in court.
Twenty-three states allow damages for grief, sorrow and mental anguish in wrongful-death cases, according to the Illinois Trial Lawyers Assn., which supports the bill. The measure now heads to the Senate.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/05/21/gvbf0521.htm.
