Missouri Medical Malpractice Laws Undergo Changes

Doctors and their medical staff are required by law to protect the health and safety of their patients. Several changes were recently made to these laws by legislators in order to clarify the actions that must be taken when a case of Missouri medical malpractice is suspected.
Reports from The Citizens Commission on Human Rights of St. Louis state one of the major changes is that when a patient reports a case of abuse, neglect, or errors in care, an investigation into the incident must be launched within 24 hours. The investigation must also draw its conclusions within 60-days of being launched. Furthermore, the victim’s next of kin must be notified when such an investigation is launched, as well as when results of said investigation have been submitted.
Several other bills pertaining to medical malpractice were killed during the last legislative session, including those that defined the statutory cause of action and time limitations.
Lawmakers also considered a bill that would limit the amount of non-economic damages that can be awarded to a medical malpractice victim. The move would have shifted the standards of evidence from a “preponderance of evidence” to “ clear and convincing evidence”. This would have eliminated any chance for a denial of a claim based on reasonable doubt.
At Cofman Townsley, our St. Louis personal injury attorneys know how to navigate the medical malpractice system in Missouri and are here to help if you have been harmed as the result of a doctor’s negligent care. Call us today to discuss what we can do for you.