Antonio Romanucci is proud to announce he has been nominated to a 3 year term to Public Justice Foundation, America's largest public interest law firm dedicated to civil rights, consumer rights, the environment, and access to justice.
Should there be a cap on medical malpractice awards? No, said two-thirds of the respondents to a Chicago Tribune on-line survey published in the paper’s June 23, 2009 edition. There were 2,010 “yes” responses and 1,045 “no” responses, the Tribune reported. Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, has long opposed caps on damages.
Among reader comments printed in Wednesday’s Tribune:
“There should not be caps. The numbers are arbitrary. Why should someone be compensated less because a negligent doctor hurt him than if a negligent driver did?”
“Medical malpractice caps sound like a good idea – until you are a victim of a medical error. Let’s not forget that the rest of us are responsible for our negligence and our liability is not capped.”
“Most people want caps until it’s their relative. Then it’s different. How can you cap someone who may need care the rest of his or her life?”
Romanucci & Blandin would like to update you on the progress of health care reform and how it may effect you as a patient.
Medical malpractice reform was the subject of a dozen amendments last week during the Senate Health Education Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee Mark-up. The committee voted down the Hatch Amendment dealing with Comparative Effectiveness Research, but merely tabled the Enzi Amendment that could establish health courts. That means this could come back up at any time. Additionally, House Republicans have released an outline of their health bill that includes limits on medical malpractice. Following the 4th of July recess, the Senate Finance Committee will begin their mark-up process, and we are sure to face more amendments seeking to curb medical malpractice awards and restrict your clients’ access to the courts. The Public Affairs team is doing a tremendous job of staying on top of this issue and working to defeat these amendments.
Continue reading "AAJ continues to work for the rights of consumers and patients" »
President Obama showed the courage of his convictions on Monday when he addressed the American Medical Association’s annual meeting in Chicago and said that limiting the amount juries can award against doctors would be unfair to malpractice victims.
When the President first broached the topic (the doctors’ demand for a cap on malpractice suits), his audience believed he may be supporting the caps. “Don’t get too excited yet,” he said. “Now just hold onto your horses here, guys…I’m not advocating caps on malpractice awards.”
However, the President went on to explain that he is looking at evidence-based guidelines for treatment. He stated it would protect doctors who follow agreed-upon guidelines from costly lawsuits, yet let people who have legitimate medical malpractice claims could still file them in a court of law. In reality, an an evidence based guideline for treatment would be a pre-emptive attempt at unduly limiting lawsuits against wrong doers. At Romanucci & Blandin, we believe there never ever should be a placement of limits or standards against injured victims or in any way limit a plaintiffs right of recovery at the courthouse.
Romanucci & Blandin, in Chicago, applauds recommendations made by the American Academy of Pediatrics to rename the diagnostic term “shaken baby syndrome” to “abusive head trauma,” which it calls a more comprehensive diagnosis for brain, skull and other injuries inflicted on infants. The new term, which should be used in medical records, may provide more clarity in the courtroom, they say.
This serious and clearly definable form of child abuse results from extreme rotational cranial acceleration induced by violent shaking or shaking/impact. Greater attention and resources should be devoted to prevention of abusive injuries, according to the Academy, which noted that head injuries are the leading cause of traumatic death and the leading cause of child abuse fatalities.
I’m writing to share breaking news regarding a landmark achievement that was announced today in Washington D.C. From now on, the regulatory preemption of state common law will be strictly limited. Even regulations issued within the past 10 years will have to be reviewed and in some cases amended.
This is a major victory for the rights of all Americans under state law and is the culmination of years of tireless and dedicated effort by AAJ’s Regulatory Affairs team, headed by Gerie Voss.
Today, President Obama issued a Directive to the Heads of all Executive Branch Departments and Agencies stating it is the policy of his Administration that “preemption of State law by executive departments and agencies should be undertaken only with full consideration of the legitimate prerogatives of the States and with a sufficient legal basis for preemption.” Preemption of state common law will no longer be presumed or asserted by regulatory agencies absent “explicit preemption by Congress or an otherwise sufficient basis under applicable legal principles.”
Continue reading "AAJ Reports Breaking News -- Major Victory for all Consumers!" »
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago is seeking persons who have suffered a concussion or brain injury within the past five years for a research study on the effectiveness of using acupuncture to treat insomnia.
Participants would need to go to the RIC’s campus at 345 E. Superior in Chicago for clinic visits. They will receive $75 for their participation. The study is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. If interested, call (312) 238-0724.
Ronald Kuiper, who was being treated at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Sioux City and had less than 30 percent breathing capacity was felled by flavoring commonly found on microwave popping corn. Kuiper died of so-called 'popcorn lung disease.'
The key to Kuiper's demise is a chemical known as diacetyl. While it is generally felt that the chemical poses little threat to consumers, the chemical fumes from diacetyl used in the manufacturing of the flavoring are said to be harmful to factory workers exposed to large quantities of the chemical in the workplace.
The worst earthquake in three decades in the area of Ambruzzo, Italy, has left 283 dead with many injured and homeless. In this time of tragedy, Romanucci & Blandin urges you to make a financial contribution to show compassion and support. Please send checks made payable to the JCCIA Earthquake Relief Fund 2009 to the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, 3800 Division Street, Stone Park, IL 60165.
The National Transportation Safety Board today released preliminary aviation accident statistics for the 2008 calendar year, showing improvements in some industry sectors but increased accident rates in others.
"While the overall aviation safety record in the United States is among the best in the world, the 2008 accident statistics reveal a mixed picture," said NTSB Acting Chairman Mark V. Rosenker. "We are particularly concerned with the spike in fatalities in on-demand air charter
operations. There's a lot of room for improvement in this area, and as evidenced by our recent forum on emergency medical service helicopter accidents, we continue to do everything we can to identify the safety issues involved, and to advocate for the adoption of our recommendations that will make the skies safer."
Continue reading "AVIATION ACCIDENT STATISTICS FOR 2008 SHOW 'MIXED PICTURE' " »
March 31, 2009 – Antonio M. Romanucci, a partner at the Chicago personal injury firm of Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, and a board member of the Public Justice Foundation, hailed today’s U.S. Supreme Court against tobacco giant Philip Morris as a victory for consumers. The Court issued a one-sentence order today in Philip Morris USA v. Williams saying, "The writ of certiorari is dismissed as improvidently granted."
The order rejects the tobacco company's latest challenge to the jury's $79.5 million punitive damages award in that case. This is exactly what the Court should have done. Public Justice had filed an amici brief explaining that Philip Morris had not legally preserved the challenge it was trying to make.
Continue reading "Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, in Chicago, Hails Supreme Court Ruling " »
Attorneys at Romanucci & Blandin have learned that Tony-award winning actress Natasha Richardson may have suffered a traumatic brain injury while taking skiing lessons outside Montreal. Some reports have indicated that she was seriously hurt.
Her injury is a sad reminder that any head injury can have repercussions. Reports said she fell on the slopes and did not show any visible signs of injury but later reported that she did not feel well. She was treated at a Montreal Hospital and flown to New York City for continued care.
This accident is a sad reminder that prevention is key. As a safety precaution, helmets should always be worn when athletes at any level engage in a sports activity.
