Medical Malpractice in Perspective: Nebraska Hospital-Medical Liability Act

I. Introduction II. Historical Perspective … A. The Causes … 1. The Legal Causes … a. Contingent Fees … b. Res Ipsa Loquitor … c. Jury Verdicts … d. Meritless Litigation … 2. Medical Causes … a. Technological Advances … b. Heightened Public Expectations … c. Poor Communications between Health Care Providers and Patients … 3. Insurance Nightmares … B. The Costs … 1. Insurance Premiums …2. Defensive Medicine … 3. Emotional Distress … 4. Economic Effect upon Patients … C. The Legislative Response III. The Nebraska Hospital-Medical Liability Act … A. Tort Law Modifications … 1. Limitations on Awards … a. Ceilings on Recovery … b. Modification of Collateral Source Rule … c. Elimination of the Ad Damnum Clause … 2. Statute of Limitations … 3. Other Indirect Modifications … a. Limits on Attorney Fees … b. Informed Consent … c. Written Guarantees … d. Standard of Care … B. Pre-Trial Review Panel IV. The True Crisis: Malpractice V. Legislative Responses to the True Crisis VI. Conclusion