Injured Patients Deserve to Sue

You recently published a Personal View column offering "A Dose of Health Care Reform Advice" [May 6]. I was saddened to read the so-called advice from Dr. Arvind K. Goyal, president of the Illinois State Medical Society, focusing on defending physicians' salaries.

Dr. Goyal neglected to mention some vital uncontradicted statistics: From 1982 to 1989, the average doctor's income rose 57 percent, from $97,000 to $157,000. One of every six doctors nets more than $250,000 annually - that is, after deducting all of the physician's expenses, according to the magazine Medical Economics.

Dr. Goyal indicates a concern with capping physicians' salaries and instead turns to capping noneconomic damages for victims of medical malpractice as a solution to the health care woes.

This result is frightening when considering the findings from a 1990 Harvard University study that found only about 1 of every 8 injured patients files a malpractice claim. Even fewer, about 1 of every 16, ever receives compensation from a jury or an out-of-court settlement.

A separate study conducted by doctors themselves found that unjustified payments are rare. The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine last October, found that doctors' care was, in fact, substandard in most cases where patients won payment for injuries.

Take David, a newborn who suffered irreversible brain damage at the hands of negligent doctors.

Take Delores, a 59-year-old woman who lost both legs and several fingers after she suffered toxic shock syndrome following a botched breast biopsy.

Take Lillie, a 59-year-old woman who suffers permanent loss of control of her bladder and sphincter muscles as a result of a negligent neurosurgeon.

These are real people suffering real problems. I know. I was their attorney.

Some collected millions of dollars, but I can assure you that they would give back every dime just to have their health restored. For them and thousands like them, that is just not possible. Dr. Goyal implies that some doctors would leave the profession if their salaries were cut. Perhaps the community would be better off without doctors whose top priority is personal income and not quality medical care.

Robert A. Clifford, past president Illinois Trial Lawyers Association