profession
Fla. bill would expand liability protections for emergency doctors
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted March 29, 2010
Florida emergency physicians could receive added liability protections under a bill approved by a state Senate health committee in March.
The measure, backed by the Florida Medical Assn., would limit total damages against physicians to $200,000 in lawsuits related to emergency care. The state would assume responsibility for defending such cases and cover any judgments beyond $200,000.
Physicians and lawmakers supporting the bill said it would help improve access to care in emergency departments, where increased patient loads and high liability exposure has discouraged many doctors from taking on-call coverage.
The bill has drawn opposition from trial lawyers and other lawmakers over concerns it would relieve physicians of accountability for medical mistakes.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/03/29/prbf0329.htm.
