Protection of Benevolent Gesture by Healthcare Providers is Approved by House, now in Senate Judciary Committee

After an unexpected outcome resulting in an injury to a patient, most healthcare providers naturally wish to express their sympathy or remorse to the patient and/or family, yet hesitate for fear of such statements being used against them.  In many states, such benevolent expressions, including apologies, cannot be used as an admission of liability against the healthcare provider in later civil proceedings.  Pennsylvania, however, has no such protection.  HB 495 is meant to remedy that, and bring Pennsylvania in line with the majority of other states.  This bill has been approved by the House, and is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee for the Senate.  See the link on the right side of this blog for the text and related information about this proposed law.