Effective in October, North Carolina's medical malpractice reform bill will cap pain, suffering, and emotional distress damages to $500,000. Lost wages and medical bill damages will not be affected. Experts believe this cap will cause lawyers to turn down most cases.

Gov. Beverly Perdue veoted the bill, but was overrided by lawmakers. Sponsers of the reform say that this will lower medical malpractice insurance costs, create a better doctor-patient relationship, and reduce health care costs. Many believe, however, that the bill will be challenged as unconstitutional.

If you have suffered an injury due to the negligence of a doctor, contact the Charleston medical malpractice attorneys of the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800 for a free initial consultation about your case.

A jury has awarded a $3 million verdict against a South Carolina hospital and doctor for the death of a woman in 2002.

The woman's husband was awarded in the suit after his wife was admitted to the hospital in 2002 complaining of back and stomach pain. The emergency room physician did not admit the woman but she was diagnosed with kidney stones and given pain medication and told to return on Monday. The woman died of septic shock before her appointment.

The jury determined that the hospital and the doctor were negligent in the case because they did not recognize the national standard of  medical care. Hospital officials said that they disagree with the jury's verdict because they feel that the appropriate care was given. They are considering appealing the decision.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim.

State regulators in Florida have suspended a psychiatrist's lisence due to medical malpractice after the death of an austistic patient.

The doctor had hundreds of poor and disabled patients, including a 12-year-old boy who had austism. Florida Surgeon General issued an emergency suspension of the doctor's license after a medical examiner ruled the patient's death as a drug overdose. The length of the suspension is unknown and the doctor has yet to file a reponse on suspension.

Patients deserve the best possible care from doctors, our thoughts go out to the family of the victim.