Damages
There is one type of damages available in the state of Michigan to those who are
injured by medical malpractice: compensatory damages. Compensatory
damages (discussed below) are those that reimburse an injured patient for actual
losses. Michigan, in contrast to other states in the news for large verdicts,
does not recognize or permit a recovery of punitive damages - a type of
damage that punishes a defendant's behavior.
In addition, the Michigan legislature and appellate courts have aggressively
taken away and arbitrarily limited the rights of injured patients to recover
actual losses. They and the powerful insurance and medical lobbies have taken
away patients' fundamental rights under the guise of purported "tort reform"
statutes. These statutes, which went into effect in April 1994, are unfair
and economically discriminate most against women, young people, and the retired.
These harsh laws are supported and promoted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and
Republican Party, and these powerful and wealthy groups push the Michigan
statutes as a national role model for tort reform.
Compensatory damages
Compensatory damages are derived from the word "compensate," meaning "to make up
for" or "to make whole". Generally, these damages can be broken up into two sub-categories-
actual damages and general damages. Actual damages seek to reimburse a
plaintiff for out-of-pocket expenses incurred, or financial losses sustained.
Actual damages typically include:
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Medical and hospitalization bills incurred to treat your injuries
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Wages lost due to work missed while you recuperate
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Costs of household or nursing help during recovery, including costs of
wheelchair or crutches required
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Pain and suffering endured due to injuries and any subsequent mental anguish
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Disfigurement resulting from injuries
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Value of medical expenses you are likely to incur in the future
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Value of wages you are likely to lose in the future
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Permanency of injury and resulting pain and suffering
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Loss of consortium (benefits of a relationship)
Michigan "Tort Reform" Ceilings on Damages
In the 1990s, Michigan and other states enacted aggressive "tort reform"
statutes purportedly to curtail personal injury lawsuits. Michigan imposed the
most aggressive "reforms" on medical negligence claims and leveled arbitrarily
low ceilings (i.e. "caps") on damages that can be recovered by injured persons.
The "reforms," which took effect on April 1, 1994, include a ceiling on non-economic
loss.
A Ceiling on Non-Economic Loss
The statute limits the total recovery (against all defendants) for non-economic
loss to a maximum of $280,000. MCL 600.1483(1). The cap is adjusted annually
in February by the Michigan Treasurer and is currently $366,000. This cap
applies to all medical negligence cases.
However, under three very narrow exceptions the cap on non-economic loss may
increase to $500,000, or the current adjusted number of $653,500. The three
exceptions are: (a) a brain or spinal cord injury that causes substantial
paralysis, (b) permanent and severe cognitive impairment rendering a person
incapable of making life decisions and living independently, and (c) permanent
loss or damage to a reproductive organ resulting in the inability to procreate.
(for
current cap amounts click here)
Death is not an exception to the caps, according to the Michigan Supreme Court.
The statute defines "non-economic loss" to mean "damages or loss due to pain,
suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, physical disfigurement, or other
non-economic loss." Further, the judge cannot inform jurors about the caps
before they deliberate and return with a verdict. Michigan deliberately conceals
the cap's existence so a jury cannot upwardly adjust economic damages to lessen
the inequities of the cap. If the jury's award for non-economic loss is above
the cap, the judge automatically reduces the award to the maximum allowed by the
statute when the verdict is entered.
The purported "reforms" are not only extraordinary impediments to the filing of
a medical negligence claim but they also create unjust results and grossly
inadequate recoveries.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of possible medical
malpractice, call Buchanan & Buchanan, P.L.C. now at (616) 458-2464 or Toll Free: (800) 272-4080
or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE
CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to
accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get
paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds.
Don�t delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your
injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.
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