Med-Mal Damages Caps Benefit Only Insurers

In a blog at California Progress Report, J.G. Preston, Press Secretary at the Consumer Attorneys of California, wrote, "A report from the American Association for Justice, 'Insurance Company Handout,' finds the only effect of [med-mal] caps on damages is higher insurance company profits. Despite rhetoric to the contrary, the average malpractice premiums for surgeons, internists and OB/GYNs is actually lower in states without caps than it is in the 30 states that have caps." Preston asks, "Are higher insurance company profits really a reason to prevent the victims of medical negligence who have the most severe injuries from receiving just compensation thanks to a cap on damages?"