Article: $350,000 CAP ON MALPRACTICE AWARDS VOIDED SETTLEMENTS COVERED IN THE STATE SUPREME COURT RULING HAVE TO DO WITH PAIN, SUFFERING AND LOSS OF COMPANIONSHIP.(FRONT)

Byline: JR Ross Associated Press

The Wisconsin Supreme Court tossed out the state's cap on some medical malpractice awards Thursday, prompting health-care officials to warn the decision could lead to huge verdicts against doctors and exploding costs for patients.

Health-care and business officials said the $350,000 cap lawmakers put into place a decade ago for pain, suffering and loss of companionship has helped keep down insurance premiums for Wisconsin doctors -- savings passed onto patients -- and creating access and quality superior to other states.

Some lawmakers pledged to devise new limits to avoid what they called a potential ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!