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Thanks for the info.

BTW, I wasn't aware until recently that the primary basis for the law suit and $1.5 million award in this case was associated with Terri's potassium deficiency.

Basically, it was because here doctor(s) had not had blood tests performed during her ongoing care (she was trying to get pregant, and seeing doctors for assistance in that regard). The allegation was that her (by then known - i.e. before the suit was filed) potassium deficiency would have shown up in a simple routine blood test; corrective actions could have been taken, and all this avoided.

Those who say she had no such potassium deficiency must not realize that the doctor(s) being sued and their insurance company(ies) would never have been saddled with a $1.5 million award if she not had a potassium deficiency.

But, I recognize that (in those zealots minds) facts like this don't offset their opinions/mid reading/etc.

She may have indeed had a potassium deficiency, but she did not have a heart attack.

According to Dr.Hammesfahr on Hannity and Colmes last night:

“Right now, we have a woman who had a collapse, with no known cause. No evidence of infection, or heart attack, respiratory failure, or ANYTHING, The only thing found in the emergency room is the damaged neck.”

Actually Lurker, one case was settled out of court. This happens many times, not because of guilt being established, but because one party is desirous of the case to go away because they lack the resources for a huge, years-long court battle. This happens A LOT in medical malpractice suits, particularly in this day and age of multi-million dollar awards by juries.

As for jury trials, many people decide to go ahead with a jury trial based solely on their innocence and belief that the court system is always fair. If the doc thinks he is innocent, has a good case, will be able to prove it in a court of law, he will not settle and instructs his attorneys to follow through with the suit because of his innocence. However, jury trials are ALWAYS a toss up. Any attorney that tells you he can guarantee the outcome of a jury trial should be fired immediately! There is no way to predict what jurors are going to do or the impressions they will form during litigation.

The insurance companies MUST pay the award settlement if an appeal is not filed, which usually depends on the doc's and insurance company's resources. They ultimately must ask themselves "Do we want to bear the cost of proceeding with this?"

As it stands, Terri's potassium deficiency was established upon her admission to the hospital after her collapse. The $1.5 million award does NOT establish that the potassium deficiency existed PRIOR to that. They were punitive damages for the doc not CHECKING, which is wholly different from establishing that it existed while Terri was under their care.

It would be interesting to find out if Terri's alleged bulimia was discussed during the jury trial. Did she ever complain of feeling faint? Did she ever complain of an oddly beating heart? Did she and Michael discuss her weight loss with the doc? OOOOOOO, I'd love to get my hands on those court papers!

Lurker, we have gone over alot of records and research on Michael and it is a matter of doubting MS's veracity for it was his implication of the potassium problem. Even if Terri dieted and used too much sodium or didn't get enough potassium, yes it could reek hell on her health. But we believe that any health excuse is just a matter of fueling MS. With many affadavits to the contrary, physical abuse is extremely indictive of what truly happened to Terri.

I've seen potassium and sodium deficiency and what it does is not pretty, but in Terri's case to many of us it is not even an issue.