In spite of documented reports that a medical liability reform provision within the health system reform bill will cut health care costs to the tune of anywhere from $54 billion (Congressional Budget Offi ce) to $200 billion (article cited below), there appears to be no chance of that happening.

An editorial in the Washington D.C. Examiner (“Trial lawyers buy Democrats in Congress,” Dec. 21, 2009) presents its take on the matter: “Trial lawyers are investing heavily in their Democratic friends who control the White House and both chambers of Congress.” How much? A hefty $1.24 million provided to Dems by just 15 law firms. Trial lawyers’ influence has slithered in to the House version of health system reform in the form of earmarks, including one that pays states not to enact caps on attorneys’ fees or lawsuit settlements, according to the article.

Closer to home ...

The Dec. 23, 2009, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin reports that personal injury lawyer Terrence J. Lavin is appointed to fill an interim two-year vacancy on the powerful state appeals court. Lavin, quoted in the article: “I think I can bring a combination of book smarts, street smarts and a quarter-century of trial lawyer’s experience to the job.”

Gulp. The article notes that since 1992, in addition to personal injury lawsuits, Lavin’s practice has concentrated on medical malpractice and wrongful death cases.