Long-warring enemies have suddenly negotiated a historic compromise over how much money medical malpractice victims can be awarded for pain and suffering. But on medical malpractice payouts, no state has been more regressive for nearly half a century. Hardly anything major gets done in the state Capitol without willing powerful interests — euphemistically called “stakeholders.”Everyone wins this time, especially malpractice victims. In 1975, doctors were threatening to retire or flee the state and clinics were near closing because malpractice awards and insurance premiums were climbing. The law allows initiatives to be taken off a ballot if a compromise is negotiated and passed by lawmakers.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 09, 2022 21:17 UTC