Bill aimed at revising medical malpractice system advances

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – A year after a big change was made to Kentucky’s medical malpractice system, lawmakers are considering a bill that would alter the system even more.

The bill advanced by a Senate committee Wednesday would place caps on a plaintiff’s attorney’s fees in malpractice cases.

It would prohibit expressions of sympathy from being used against a health-care provider in malpractice claims.

Republican Sen. Ralph Alvarado says his bill would bring Kentucky’s system in line with malpractice laws in other states.

Alvarado is a Winchester doctor. Democratic Sen. Reginald Thomas opposed the bill.

He says it’s designed to protect health-care providers and discourage lawyers from taking malpractice cases.

Last year, lawmakers revised the malpractice system by creating panels of medical providers to review claims before cases go to court.