This is an excellent example of why we need tort reform and how it can help lower costs.
Let’s assume the provider is 100% guilty. Does this individual really need (or deserve) $28.9MM? IF she is totally disabled and cannot work, she should be fairly compensated for what she would/could have made in her lifetime. Add to that the expense of a nurse, if needed, on a full or part time basis. With regards to future medical care (as required for the injury sustained), medical providers should form a reciprocal pool that permits a claimant to get care free of charge from those participating in the pool.
This reduces the amount of the award by the “estimated” cost of future medical costs and places the burden back onto the potential pool of perpetrators causing the loss. It would ultimately lower the insurance costs purchased by the medical providers and permit them to provide medical service “at cost” to those in need of the service. The “pool” could determine how the participants fund the pool (i.e. doctors and hospitals donate funds or time.)
“Pain and suffering” awards should either be eliminated or capped at a reasonable fixed amount or percentage of the actual monetary damages. The legal fees should also be fixed as well with a cap.
Absolutely RIDICULOUS.
this woman would not have been worth this if she lived 3 lifetimes.
Where in the world does a stupid JURY come up with this number? Do they apply ANY common sense to this “award”
So, she has a feeding tube? Taking care of her for 50 years should never cost this much?
We pay the hospital and Drs. less, expect perfection, and give monetary rewards like it’s candy. Then we want to know why health care costs are so high. Wonder what the cost per patient will be to recover the 30 million (plus defense costs.
In our legal system punitive damages are supposed to be to punish the wrong doer. 30 mil covered by insurances only costs the future patients due to increased overhead costs.
The venue of this verdict should be considered before offering criticism. This is MISSOURI. The same place that has recently delivered $171 million in verdicts to 3 plaintiffs who claim they got ill using talcum powder.
Under the present legal environment, Mercy Health Systems is negligent per se for choosing to do business in Missouri.
This is an excellent example of why we need tort reform and how it can help lower costs.
Let’s assume the provider is 100% guilty. Does this individual really need (or deserve) $28.9MM? IF she is totally disabled and cannot work, she should be fairly compensated for what she would/could have made in her lifetime. Add to that the expense of a nurse, if needed, on a full or part time basis. With regards to future medical care (as required for the injury sustained), medical providers should form a reciprocal pool that permits a claimant to get care free of charge from those participating in the pool.
This reduces the amount of the award by the “estimated” cost of future medical costs and places the burden back onto the potential pool of perpetrators causing the loss. It would ultimately lower the insurance costs purchased by the medical providers and permit them to provide medical service “at cost” to those in need of the service. The “pool” could determine how the participants fund the pool (i.e. doctors and hospitals donate funds or time.)
“Pain and suffering” awards should either be eliminated or capped at a reasonable fixed amount or percentage of the actual monetary damages. The legal fees should also be fixed as well with a cap.
integrity, please don’t try to make too much sense in the future.
Absolutely RIDICULOUS.
this woman would not have been worth this if she lived 3 lifetimes.
Where in the world does a stupid JURY come up with this number? Do they apply ANY common sense to this “award”
So, she has a feeding tube? Taking care of her for 50 years should never cost this much?
We pay the hospital and Drs. less, expect perfection, and give monetary rewards like it’s candy. Then we want to know why health care costs are so high. Wonder what the cost per patient will be to recover the 30 million (plus defense costs.
In our legal system punitive damages are supposed to be to punish the wrong doer. 30 mil covered by insurances only costs the future patients due to increased overhead costs.
The venue of this verdict should be considered before offering criticism. This is MISSOURI. The same place that has recently delivered $171 million in verdicts to 3 plaintiffs who claim they got ill using talcum powder.
Under the present legal environment, Mercy Health Systems is negligent per se for choosing to do business in Missouri.