Jones457
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The 1960s and '70s saw changes in tort law - remedies for perceived damages. New rulings and new legislation increased things such as class action lawsuits and the concept of punitive damages.
As an effort to provide plaintiffs remedies for their alleged injuries, Texans were being sued with a greater frequency and ferocity. The effects of the spike in litigation were felt in other areas, as well.
In Texas, where a doctor might stop and render aid in an emergency situation, the Legislature actually created a statute making a doctor liable for violation of the standard of medical care, even though the doctor was simply volunteering his services and trying to help save a life. Even volunteers became targets.
Earlier, Gov. Rick Perry declared medical malpractice lawsuits a statewide crisis.
Doctors were caught between rising medical malpractice insurance costs and lower compensation from insurance-provided benefit contracts and low Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement levels.
But lawsuit reform was a driving force in the general elections. And when lawmakers gathered with a new Republican majority, lawsuit reform was a top priority.
The Wall Street Journal called the changes adopted in HB 4 'Ten Gallon Tort Reform.' It has been referred to as a model bill by numerous commentators because it addressed so many changes needed to extinguish the litigation crisis.
The reforms included a cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, limits on how long after an incident a lawsuit can be filed, and tightening up requirements for expert testimony. Doctors who volunteer their time were afforded more protections, and class action rules were reformed.
All across Texas, there are undeniable signs that Proposition 12 and HB 4 are fulfilling the promise of healing their health care delivery system and quieting an inflamed legal system.
Doctors are flocking back to the state - 7,000 since the passage of Proposition 12, and the state licensing board anticipates adding another 5,000 doctors. The Chairman of Texans Lawsuit Reform, Mr. <span style="color:#4169E1">Dick Weekley</span> expressed satisfaction over the reforms in Texas that can serve as a model for other states.
As an effort to provide plaintiffs remedies for their alleged injuries, Texans were being sued with a greater frequency and ferocity. The effects of the spike in litigation were felt in other areas, as well.
In Texas, where a doctor might stop and render aid in an emergency situation, the Legislature actually created a statute making a doctor liable for violation of the standard of medical care, even though the doctor was simply volunteering his services and trying to help save a life. Even volunteers became targets.
Earlier, Gov. Rick Perry declared medical malpractice lawsuits a statewide crisis.
Doctors were caught between rising medical malpractice insurance costs and lower compensation from insurance-provided benefit contracts and low Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement levels.
But lawsuit reform was a driving force in the general elections. And when lawmakers gathered with a new Republican majority, lawsuit reform was a top priority.
The Wall Street Journal called the changes adopted in HB 4 'Ten Gallon Tort Reform.' It has been referred to as a model bill by numerous commentators because it addressed so many changes needed to extinguish the litigation crisis.
The reforms included a cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, limits on how long after an incident a lawsuit can be filed, and tightening up requirements for expert testimony. Doctors who volunteer their time were afforded more protections, and class action rules were reformed.
All across Texas, there are undeniable signs that Proposition 12 and HB 4 are fulfilling the promise of healing their health care delivery system and quieting an inflamed legal system.
Doctors are flocking back to the state - 7,000 since the passage of Proposition 12, and the state licensing board anticipates adding another 5,000 doctors. The Chairman of Texans Lawsuit Reform, Mr. <span style="color:#4169E1">Dick Weekley</span> expressed satisfaction over the reforms in Texas that can serve as a model for other states.
