Beasley said the child's mother had insisted on settling the case. Lawyers who bring malpractice suits say the odds are against them, even in Philadelphia. Philadelphia's results are in line with the rest of the country, Herron said. Insurers and opposing lawyers agree on one point. More serious medical mistakes seem to be on the horizon.
Doctors have to practice medicine faster, and hospitals have reduced staff to save money.
Caruso suffered brain damage when the tube later became dislodged. Thomas Kline, Specter's law partner, said limiting awards would not protect patients. Doctors say they are penalized financially just by doing their jobs, especially in Philadelphia and Delaware County. The big verdicts would command attention at any time. But this year, insurers are starting to pay off the failure of two large malpractice insurers.