
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 5, 1990                   TAG: 9003052226
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: F-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHAT ALTERNATIVE TO MALPRACTICE SUITS?

WHILE I can certainly appreciate Linda Earles' position (letter Feb. 20) and can understand her high opinion of her doctor, she should realize that some suits do serve a purpose, and not all persons filing a suit are trying to alleviate financial problems.

If a loved one is taken care of by an incompetent doctor, resulting in permanent injury or death, how else does Ms. Earles propose to protest such action? It's almost impossible to see a doctor lose his job or practice when he becomes so incompetent that his patients suffer. To compensate for his negligence, a suit is monetarily settled.

I agree this is not the perfect solution, but should the anguished family decline to sue just to help keep down health-care costs? There has to be some type of accountability not only for incompetent doctors but for others as well, and that seems to be monetary settlements, like it or not! PAIGE CONNER ROANOKE

by CNB