2004 Lawsuit Shows Rep. Phil Gingrey’s Willingness to Use Courts While Trying to Block Other America

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/pressroomredirect.cfm?ID=3293

Gingrey Sought Punitive Damages From Jury After Auto Crash but Wants to Block Patients From Going to Court When Hurt by Malpractice; Constituent, a Medical Malpractice Victim, Urges Him to Reverse Course

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.) is trying to limit Americans’ access to the courts when they are hurt by medical malpractice, but Gingrey filed a lawsuit over injuries he suffered in 2004, Public Citizen said today. In the suit, which stemmed from a car crash, Gingrey sought damages for “mental pain” and punitive damages to be determined by “the enlightened conscience of fair and impartial jurors.”

In addition, Gingrey constituent Caroline Palmer sent a letter today urging him to reverse course on limiting patients’ rights. In 2007, Palmer’s arms were amputated as a result of medical errors committed by the hospital staff while they treated her for injuries from a car accident.

Gingrey, an obstetrician, is the original sponsor of the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare Act of 2011 (H.R. 5), which would allow for sweeping immunity from accountability for the health industry - including doctors, nursing home operators, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals. The bill would impose a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages that compensate patients for the pain and suffering that accompany any loss of normal functions, such as blindness, paralysis, loss of sexual function, disfigurement and loss of fertility. The bill also makes it virtually impossible for courts to award punitive damages against health industry players. Punitive damages are a rare punishment typically granted for particularly egregious behavior.

More at the link --

this evil POS is my rep. I cannot WAIT for the next phone town hall -- printing this out...