Oklahoma Woman Severely Burned by Medical Negligence Speaks Out Against New Tort Reform
A new bill is being considered in Oklahoma that would place a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages for personal injury cases. However, one Oklahoma woman is speaking out against the reform since she sustained severe burn injuries from the waist up due to medical negligence, in 2009 according to OKWatchdog.com. The retired eighth grade teacher, who had endured cancer and chemotherapy, underwent reconstructive surgery, during which a cauterizing tool ignited alcohol that had been used to disinfect the woman.
According to the woman, the cap would only further hurt those who had already suffered so much due to medical negligence in Oklahoma. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) reports that approximately 100 medical fires occur each year, and result in at least 20 injuries and about two deaths. Because these types of injuries can be so severe and often require lifetime care, a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages would cover only a small fraction of the suffering that some of these patients have been forced to suffer.
The woman seeks to educate the public on the effects of medical negligence in Oklahoma and the importance of holding negligent parties accountable for their actions. She says that a jury should decide what her injuries are worth, not politicians who are looking to take over healthcare. She believes legislators should pay attention to making healthcare facilities safer so that incidents like hers do not happen to others.
If you or a loved one has been severely injured due to medical negligence, you have rights and deserve to have them upheld in a court of law. Ray Maples, experienced Oklahoma City medical malpractice attorney and founder of The Maples Law Firm, has the skill and knowledge necessary to help you garner the compensation you deserve. To learn more about how Mr. Maples can help you, call (405) 705-5050 for a free consultation of your case.