Virginia Supreme Court Asked to Give Immunity to Doctors

Jamie G. Goldstein

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Recently, a case went up to the Virginia Supreme Court requesting that doctors be found immune from medical negligence. The doctors argue that they fall under the immunity protection of the state because the hospital is a charitable organization. If the Court agrees, the doctors would not be liable for negligent acts against their patients.

The doctors' argue that the hospital is a charitable organization and this status allows them immunity from negligence lawsuits. The fact though is that these doctors are only doing a handful of charitable work and most of their patients are paying customers. In fact, the hospital generates approximately $200 million in gross revenue yearly while its losses in charitable care in 2005 were only $1.5 million. These doctors are being paid for their services and many are receiving bonuses on top of their salaries.

This is just another way doctors are trying to get out of being held responsible for their wrong doing. The idea of a doctor being free to do whatever he wants and not being held responsible is absurd. Once again, doctors trying to take advantage of the legal system for their benefit. Maybe the doctors should spend more time perfecting their trade instead of perfecting how to get out of their mistakes.