Error During Routine Surgery Causes Death of 11 Year-Old
An 11 year old boy died from complications during a routine surgery to drain an abscess in the boys ankle. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement reported the event, citing careless medical errors and sloppy adherence to safety protocols during the surgery.
This is another tragic example of a failed system of safety procedures in some hospitals.
Had this occurred in Illinois, the recovery of the 11 year old in a malpractice action would by severly limited. The General Assembly passed caps on jury awards in malpractice actions to $500,000 for non-economic damages. Considering the economic worth of an 11 year-old, his recovery would have not far exceed this amount. Another example of how caps only work to pushish those severly injured by medical carelessness.
I understand the caps are intended to protect Medical Practitioners from praying vampires but I do not understand how you can place a number on a mother's grief. I also understand there is no way to determine the future value of an 11 year old child. It is a very sad state of affairs indeed.