State Considers Enhancing Medical Malpractice Awards

The Nevada Legislature is considering a bill that would eliminate caps on medical malpractice lawsuits. Advocates of the bill claim that by eliminating the caps, doctors will be forced to exercise the highest quality of care and report colleagues who fail to do exercise reasonable care.

Currently, Nevada law limits recover in all medical malpractice lawsuits. The bill would remove the cap on those cases where the doctor was found to have engaged in “gross negligence,” currently $350,000. However, the bill would leave in place, the caps on all other cases involving “professional negligence.”

Furthermore, the bill would extend the statute of limitations on medical malpractice claims from three years to four years.

Opponents of the bill argue that such measures would force good doctors out of the state due to increased malpractice insurance costs. In addition, opponents fear such policy reforms would limit access to health care.

The legislature decided to take up the policy reform following a Hepatitis C outbreak. The outbreak was attributed to bad hygiene and professional practices at two Las Vegas medical clinics.

If you have been injured as a result of medical malpractice, contact an attorney. An attorney will be able to give you detailed information on your state’s medical malpractice laws and better assist you in protecting your rights.

Disclaimer: The foregoing is general legal information only and not intended to serve as legal advice or a substitute for legal advice. If you have been injured or damaged due to medical malpractice go to www.ContingencyCase.com to see if there is a lawyer or attorney in your local area who is willing to take your case on a contingency fee basis. ContingencyCase.com is an online legal directory that allows Attorneys to advertise their availability to take all kinds of cases on a contingency fee basis (for example personal injury, eminent domain, contract cases, partnership disputes, etc.). Please note there are no guarantees that any attorney or lawyer will take your case. Copyright 2009 ContingencyCase.com – All Rights Reserved.