Tatsxxx1 hit it right on the head. Malpractice actions, be it against doctors, nurses, hospitals, etc., are the most expensive cases to try, and the hardest cases to win. I do malpractice. Know what I tell people that call? Unless you are dead, brain dead, or have lost a major limb, your case is not worth exploring. WHY? Because the insurance company that represents the doctor, hospital, nurse, etc., will fight, EVEN in the clear case of negligence, to the bitter end. Most plaintiffs, or their attorneys, simply DO NOT have the resources to fight these big entities. It is NOT about people, it is all about business. 10 % are in favor of the plaintiff. 10 %. So, it is not huge verdicts that are affecting the medical community. It is INSURANCE COMPANYS.

Plaintiff's attorneys, in the field of personal injury, malpractice, work on a contingent fee basis- they only recover if you recover. So, there ain't a whole lot of "frivilous" lawsuits going on...any more than any of you are counting on the lottery as your livlihood. It is not realistic. I can't take a case that won't more likely than not pay out for my client. Sad? Absolutely. But, that is the American justice system.

As for vets being held accountable...absolutely. Why not? Are they not professionals? Are they not licensed by the state? Do we not turn to them for a certain standard of care? It most certainly helps to weed out those that are substandard. Is it fool proof? No. Nothing is. It will not raise the price of office visits, unless you buy into that.

People that won't stand up and fight for those that don't have a voice stand the risk of being run over themselves. That goes for our children, our aged, our minorities, AND our pets.

Wanna hate the civil justice system in America? Then, go back to your 14 hour work days, segregated school system, inability to cast a vote, one religion under God, NO medical care system, guess what? Someone probably thought that was "frivilous" at one time, too.

Wow...I guess I got a little off track, didn't I?

Put me down as a YES vote for should you be able to sue your vet.