Tort reform needs constitutional fix

With a vote of 4 to 3, the Illinois Supreme Court struck down the state's malpractice law passed in 2005 which limited "pain and suffering" damages to $500,000 for individuals and $1 million for hospitals.

The court said the law violates the state's separation of powers clause. What it really violates is a lawyer's insatiable appetite for our medical insurance dollars. It seems almost hopeless to expect our judicial system made up of lawyers to support laws which would limit the reach of avaricious attorneys who have an inherent conflict of interest. Without a limit, companies will continue to flee this state and medical premiums will continue to rise. Limiting medical liability is not the only step in making insurance affordable but it is a very important piece of the puzzle.

Although many other states have capped the "pain and suffering" limits, Illinois again gains national attention as a place you want to avoid. It seems the only solution to these continual embarrassments is to amend our state constitution.

Gerald Wester

Mount Prospect