Personal Injury Law

Looking beyond the borders: is New Zealand?s approach to medical liability working?

By Steven M. Levin and John J. Perconti

A recent op-ed article examined the ?tort reform? debate that is ongoing throughout America and suggests our country look to New Zealand?s approach to medical malpractice. The article states that New Zealand has succeeded in compensating patients and ensuring accountability among physicians by taking a markedly different approach.

In New Zealand, patient compensation occurs in a process that is similar to workers? compensation system; victims of medical malpractice get compensation as needed without consideration of fault. Meanwhile, a separate and distinct process focuses on identifying medical malpractice errors and improving quality of care. Physicians face a wide range of disciplinary outcomes, including losing their licenses to practice.

For the full article.

Full post as published by Illinois Medical Malpractice Blog on March 19, 2008 (boomark / email).