Any changes to the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act sponsored by trial lawyers and their trade group, Consumer Attorneys of California, can mean only one thing: another attempt to change MICRA to make it easier for trial lawyers to file lawsuits against health care providers in California (“Stars Aligning for MICRA Reform?“, Nov. 16). At a time when we should be doing all we can to rein in costs, this change would have the opposite effect and would increase health care costs in California by billions.
MICRA ensures injured patients are protected and fairly compensated, while also limiting frivolous lawsuits. Under MICRA, all economic costs (out-of-pocket costs, lost wages, medical care) are covered on an unlimited basis. Punitive damages, too, are unlimited. And MICRA provides for up to $250,000 in non-economic damages, pain and suffering damages.
