Initiative 330 and Initiative 336 have been storming the streets of Washington as a topic enraging to both doctors and lawyers alike, as well as concerning the people in regards to their rights and well being. I-330 would place a $350,000 limit on a plaintiff’s possible collection from noneconomic, also known as pain and suffering, jury awards. Many doctors and insurance companies claim that this is to limit attorney fees in malpractice cases. However, the initiative would also benefit the insurance agency at the expense of voters, depriving them the right of justice for those crimes committed against them and allowing incompetent doctors to continue to take their money and health. I-330 also allows the insurance companies to pay the money that they do owe you over a period of thirty years or longer; if you die, the insurance company keeps your money instead of giving it to your family. Therefore, lawyers are vehemently fighting for the rights of the victims involved to recover from the wrongs inflicted upon them, and to ensure that doctors and other defendants who injure innocent victims through negligent acts will be accountable for their wrongs.
I-336 is a clever comeback to I-330. Initiative 336 fights for insurance reform, requiring that all medical malpractice payouts above $100,000 to be reported to the Department of Health. One of the minor highlights, but especially important to people requiring health-care, is the requirement of health-care professionals to disclose all malpractice history to patients and families upon request. If your doctor has a faulty record, it’s your right to know about it. The doctors and insurance companies are saying no to I-336 because of these reasons and more*. The doctors and insurance companies are also trying to take advantage of the “negative view of lawyers”.
When you look at both initiatives side by side, it is obvious that the lawyers are much more concerned with the health and safety of the public while the doctors and insurance companies are just focused on lining their own pockets at the expense of innocent victims of negligence and malpractice.
*I-336 also…
- Holds doctors accountable for preventable medical injuries that have resulted in three jury verdicts against them in ten years.
- Requires mandatory state investigation of doctors with three preventable medical injuries or death events.
- Outlaws secrecy agreements in medical malpractice lawsuits.
- Requires insurance companies to justify all major rate hikes and open their financial records to the public.
