No one knows exactly how they will react upon learning of the unexpected death of a loved one. For some, when a loved one is believed to have been lost as a result of another’s negligence, they are spurred into action in an attempt to prevent others from suffering in a similar manner. When one Wisconsin family unexpectedly lost their loved one as a result of medical malpractice after she underwent elective surgery, they decided to seek a way to help other people or families who may be going through the same situation.
The case of this family from another state, who lost their loved one as a result of a surgery gone wrong, has recently caught the attention of a state representative. As a result, a piece of legislature has been created that the representative intends to propose during the next few weeks. However, she expects that her soon-to-be proposed bill will face much opposition.
Under the bill, patients could choose whether to have their surgeries video taped. If they choose to, the recording would become part of the patient’s medical record. According to reports, the legislature would be the first of its kind in any state.
When a person undergoes a routine procedure, unless there are unforeseen complications, he or she certainly expects they will recover. Unfortunately, in cases of medical malpractice, this is all too often not the case, forever altering a person’s life. Some argue this legislation would not only help people fully understand what went wrong in Wisconsin surgeries, but it could also help protect people from experiencing the same issues in the future. For many, having such a recording could also help an injured patient or grieving family successfully present a claim in a civil court, potentially resulting in an award of damages that could help with the financial and other consequences of medical negligence.
Source: wisn.com, “Waukesha family wants option of cameras in operating rooms“, April 22, 2015