MICRA Victim - Paul Ethier

Approximately 98,000 Americans die every year because of medical errors.

In California, a law that hasn't changed since 1975 takes away the right of injured Californians to hold an incompetent doctor or negligent hospital accountable for medical errors.

California's "malpractice cap" limits compensation for pain and suffering because of medical negligence to $250,000. This cap on compensation for injured Californians hasn't been adjusted for inflation since 1975. It would be more than $900,000 in today's dollars.

Put that in perspective: The minimum wage would be $2.10 an hour if it hadn't changed since 1975.

The cap never changes, no matter how severely you are injured, if you lose your sight, your fertility, or even your child.

Because of the cap, people who are injured that don't make a lot of money can't find attorneys in California. The cost to prepare and try a case for retired seniors, women who don't work, children or low-income Californians is often more than the case is worth. Without an attorney, health care providers aren't held accountable for hurting people with medical mistakes, neglect and abuse.

This and many other videos are part of the site JusticeForPatients.org. JFP is an attempt to illustrate the human cost of this out-moded and arbitrary cap on a victim's financial compensation.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• MICRA
• malpractice
• patient
• California