Dan blogged this week on a local jury verdict of $340,000 in a medical malpractice case. We know the case and the attorneys well. It is actually the 4th time the lawyers tried the case – that means they started trial 3 times earlier and something occurred along the way to prevent the trial from continuing.
What I imagine, is the expense for both sides of having to pay experts, court reporters and lawyers to appear in trial and prepare three different times. Probably $100,000 for the doctor’s insurance carrier, and $50,000 for the family for expert costs. It is not that these numbers scare us from trying cases – I simply think it is a sad state when “justice” requires over $150,000 be spent – to even get a case to final conclusion. Most families can’t afford that, and I reminded weekly that good, valid cases, languish because “justice” comes at a price far to high for the average Virginian.
So what else can families do, other than file a lawsuit? They can call the Virginia Department of Health on a nursing home, nurse, doctor – and file a formal complaint. Call 1-800-955-1819 to reach the Department of Health. At least it won’t cost $100,000!