OHSU's $200K malpractice cap under scrutiny
SALEM, Ore. - The president of Oregon Health & Science University was in Salem Monday looking for support for his organization's controversial malpractice lawsuit award cap.
OHSU has a state-legislated liability cap of $200,000 in malpractice cases. Critics charge the cap is unconstitutional and the Oregon Supreme Court is considering taking up the case.
A former KATU anchorman, Ken Ackerman, successfully sued OHSU and was awarded $1.4 million over what he called a botched back surgery in 2003.
On Monday, lawmakers were expecting to hear testimony from OHSU President Joe Robertson in relation to the liability cap.
Some argue that the cap short-changes patients that end up needing life-long care due to surgical mistakes that take place at the sprawling Portland hospital.
There is also a bill moving through Salem that would effectively overturn the cap.
OHSU has a state-legislated liability cap of $200,000 in malpractice cases. Critics charge the cap is unconstitutional and the Oregon Supreme Court is considering taking up the case.
A former KATU anchorman, Ken Ackerman, successfully sued OHSU and was awarded $1.4 million over what he called a botched back surgery in 2003.
On Monday, lawmakers were expecting to hear testimony from OHSU President Joe Robertson in relation to the liability cap.
Some argue that the cap short-changes patients that end up needing life-long care due to surgical mistakes that take place at the sprawling Portland hospital.
There is also a bill moving through Salem that would effectively overturn the cap.