Opinion ID: 1722837
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: procedure under the medical malpractice act

Text: When a victim of alleged malpractice wishes to assert a malpractice claim against a health care provider who has qualified under the act, he must present his claim to a medical review panel and receive an opinion from the panel prior to filing a suit unless the parties have waived this requirement. [8] The panel procedure commences when the claim is filed with the commissioner. [9] When the panel procedure is completed, the panel chairman submits a copy of the panel's report to the commissioner and all parties and attorneys within five days. [10] The claimant may then proceed to take his claim to a court of law or settle with the health care provider as to liability, damages, or both. The total amount recoverable for all malpractice claims for injuries to or death of a patient, exclusive of future medical care and related benefits as provided in La.R.S. 40:1299.43, shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars plus interest and cost; a qualified health care provider is not liable for an amount in excess of one hundred thousand dollars for all malpractice claims because of injuries to or death of any one patient. [11] When a claimant settles, arbitrates or obtains a final judgment in his favor against a health care provider in excess of one hundred thousand dollars, the balance of the claim is due from the Patient's Compensation Fund. [12] This fund is established and regulated as a special fund for the benefit of successful malpractice claimants. In order to provide monies for the fund, an annual surcharge set by the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission is levied on all qualified health care providers. [13] These funds are paid into the state treasury and credited initially to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund. If the funds are not allocated to pay obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the state due and payable within any fiscal year, the treasurer transfers the total amount of the surcharges to the fund. [14] This is a special fund in the state treasury, characterized by statute as a budget unit of this state. [15] The duties of the commissioner are to collect the monies and administer the fund. After paying certain administrative expenses, the funds are used to discharge qualified claims on a semi-annual basis. [16] If the fund would be exhausted by payment in full of all claims allowed during an applicable semi-annual period, the amount paid to each claimant is prorated and any amount left unpaid is paid in the following semi-annual periods. [17] There are five types of qualified claims against the fund including a final judgment in excess of one hundred thousand dollars against a health care provider. [18] Upon submission of a certified copy of the final judgment to the commissioner, he shall file a request with the state treasurer who issues a warrant against the fund in the amount of the claim. [19]