Well then why are you blaming lawyers and torts? Texas went whole hog and passed a “tort reform” bill about 4 or 5 years ago. The better answer might be the “insurance cycle” that is explained in that link I gave. Or greedy insurance companies.Or, just doctors who screw up too much.
And, FWIW, I agree that $200,000 is an insane amount but I don’t think it is runaway torts, which it never was anyway, particularly, since Texas has pretty much decided to go doo-doo on the killed and maimed in favor of the doctors.
parsy, who suggests you read the link
I don’t think I was blaming the lawyers (I am one). I was noting that the insurance companies take advantage of the “trial lawyers” bogeyman to jack up rates. I will note, however (former medical malpractice defense lawyer and hospital attorney that I am), that in my experience, a large majority of medical malpractice cases are without merit, ignore the informed consent document the patient signed, seek compensation for bad outcomes (which are not in and of themselves actionable) and ask for too damn much money in “pain & suffering” and exemplaries, even with the cap.
Colonel, USAFR