Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas woman put forward by groups opposed to malpractice lawsuit limits

WASHINGTON -- A Las Vegas woman who said she lost her legs after getting bad medical care was put forward Tuesday on Capitol Hill by groups opposing malpractice lawsuit limits.

Dianne Meyer, a former usher at the Cirque du Soleil show at the Bellagio, participated in a forum with House Democrats who oppose legislation that would place a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages from malpractice lawsuits.

Congress is expected to take up the controversial issue soon, reviving a debate that has divided lawmakers in the last two sessions.

President Bush and congressional Republicans argue that doctors are being driven out of business by skyrocketing insurance premiums caused by excessive jury awards in malpractice cases.

Democrats argue against the caps, saying the problem stems from the insurance industry.

Meyer, 61, said it was important for Congress and the president to hear from medical victims.

She was among roughly a dozen people who appeared at an event organized by the Center for Justice and Democracy, a self-described consumer advocacy group that campaigns against caps on malpractice lawsuits.

"We need to be heard by both the Democrats and the Republicans," Meyer said in an interview.

Meyer testified before the Nevada Legislature when it considered malpractice award limits in 2002.

Meyer is pursuing a lawsuit against Summerlin Hospital Medical Center and Doctors Emergency Medical Services.

In late 2000, she said she was diagnosed with kidney stones, given pain medication and told her body would pass them through.

When her condition became worse, she was admitted to the Summerlin hospital where she slipped into a coma.

A kidney stone too big to pass through her body caused blood poisoning, and her family gave the OK for doctors to amputate her legs.

She discovered the loss when she awakened from her coma, she said.