The state Senate is expected to take up a measure next week that would allow doctors to acknowledge fault without the admission turning up in a malpractice lawsuit. The bill, according to the Ohio State Medical Association's Tim Maglione, would open up dialogue between the medical professional and the patient or family. "It really encourages a conversation to happen between a doctor and a patient when there's an adverse event." Maglione says there would be fewer lawsuits in the process. "A lot of times all they want is an explanation," Maglione says.
Several other states already have similar laws on the books. And the same sort of legislation is pending in Congress. Some trial lawyers oppose the measure.