Contact:          Ginnie Flynn –gflynn@iafp.com         
                       630-435-0356 x118 office or 630-263-4613 cell                 

November 16, 2007  

STATEMENT ON MEDICAL LIABILTY CAPS RULING  

Attribute to Steven D. Knight, M.D., president.  Dr. Knight is a private practice family physician in Harrisburg , Ill.  

“The Illinois Academy of Family Physicians, representing thousands of family physicians throughout the state, is extremely disappointed by Circuit Court Judge Diane Larsen’s ruling.  While not the sole component to liability reform, the caps on non-economic damages are essential in making our medical liability system fair and keeping our doctors in Illinois .  

Physicians in Southern Illinois know all too well the strain caused by our liability system.  We watched too many good doctors pack up and leave because they could not afford the liability premiums to stay in practice.  This same sad scenario played out in every part of the state.  

The compromise legislation passed in 2005 with vast public support created a viable solution and put our system on the road to recovery.  The caps on non-economic damages preserve a patient’s right to full compensation of economic losses, including past and future medical care, lost wages and future earnings.  Likewise, the caps prevent unpredictable and unjustifiable awards driven by emotion, rather than data, which can cripple a physician’s practice or close down a point of care.     

Lasting reform means family physicians can continue to provide the full scope of primary care in Illinois .  Removing the caps will re-open the Pandora’s Box of jackpot justice, sending some physicians out of business and ensuring that other physicians never choose to practice in Illinois .  Many areas of our state don’t have enough physicians now to meet the need.  We can’t afford the losses that an unlimited liability system creates when doctors leave and patients are left with no one to care for them.”    

IAFP * 800-826-7944 phone * 630-435-0433 fax * www.iafp.com * E-mail:  iafp.@iafp.com