Opinion ID: 2633506
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The MCCP Procedure Generally

Text: The MCCP (now codified in HRS chapter 671) is a comprehensive system of medical malpractice dispute resolution, Dubin v. Wakuzawa, 89 Hawai`i 188, 197, 970 P.2d 496, 505 (1999), created because of a crisis in the area of medical malpractice. Tobosa v. Owens, 69 Haw. 305, 311, 741 P.2d 1280, 1285 (1987) (internal quotation marks omitted). Among other objectives, the legislature sought thereby to [s]tabilize the medical malpractice insurance situation by reintroducing some principles of predictability and spreading of risk and [d]ecrease the costs of the legal system and improve the efficiency of its procedures to the end that awards are more rationally connected to the actual damages. Id. . . . The panels undoubtedly were established to encourage early settlement of claims and to weed out unmeritorious claims. Hse. Stand. Comm. Rep. No. 417, in 1976 House Journal, at 1460. Id. at 311-12, 741 P.2d at 1285 (brackets in original); see also Doe v. City & County of Honolulu, 93 Hawai`i 490, 497-98, 6 P.3d 362, 369-70 (App.2000). In the context of the instant appeal, the following provisions of HRS chapter 671 are relevant: § 671-12 [ (1993)] Review by panel required; notice; presentation of claims; request for a more definite statement of the claim. (a) Effective July 1, 1976, any person or the person's representative claiming that a medical tort has been committed shall submit a statement of the claim to the [MCCP] before a suit based on the claim may be commenced in any court of this State. Claims shall be submitted to the [MCCP] in writing. The claimant shall set forth facts upon which the claim is based and shall include the names of all parties against whom the claim is or may be made who are then known to the claimant. . . . . . . . § 671-16 [(Supp.2005)] Subsequent litigation; exclusive evidence. The claimant may institute litigation based upon the claim in an appropriate court only after a party to a [MCCP] hearing rejects the decision of the panel, or after the twelve-month period under section 671-18 [ (Supp. 2005) [5] ] has expired. No statement made in the course of the hearing of the [MCCP] shall be admissible in evidence either as an admission, to impeach the credibility of a witness, or for any other purpose in any trial of the action[.] (Bold emphases in original.) (Underscored emphases added.) During the MCCP process, the panel [6] conducts an informal hearing and, if no settlement is reached, issues a written advisory decision, including a finding of damages, if any. HRS §§ 671-13 and -15 (1993); see also Lum v. Queen's Med. Ctr., 69 Haw. 419, 422, 744 P.2d 1205, 1207 (1987) (A reading of the provisions of Chapter 671 suggests a scheme whereby the members of a [MCCP] can share their knowledge and expertise in determining what information and evidence are relevant and necessary in rendering an advisory opinion. (Footnote omitted.)).