On March 28th, 2012, the New Hampshire Senate passed a bill titled “SB 406”, which is designed to establish an early offer program for patients who have been injured by medical malpractice. This bill’s status is currently pending in the House.
Under SB 406, patients would not have to wait years for a suit to end without guarantee of payment; they would be given the option of entering into a settlement with their medical provider that covers:
- Costs
- Lost wages
- Damages for pain and suffering
As long as there is an agreement between both parties, the payment will be made and the entire process will be over in a matter of months, instead of the years it typically takes to resolve medical malpractice lawsuits.
This program is purely voluntary, but it is meant to benefit patients who need immediate financial help to recover from their injuries. However, it should be noted that the maximum payment patients can receive under the bill for pain and suffering is $117,000, which some would argue is hardly enough to cover a lifetime of debilitating harm. Depending on the extent of your injuries, pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit may still be the more beneficial route in the long run.
If you have been seriously injured because of a medical professional’s negligence, please contact Van Dorn & Curtiss today to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced New Hampshire medical malpractice attorney. We can help you weigh your options and protect your legal rights.
