An award for the judge
As many of your readers know, California's MICRA medical malpractice law allows a maximum compensation of $250,000 for pain and suffering. Three years ago, trial lawyers succeeded in opening up a major new loophole in MICRA. The survivors of a man who died of cancer had sued their father's doctor for allegedly underprescribing pain medication. Their lawyers argued that they should be able to sue not only under malpractice law but also under California's "Elder Abuse" law, which provides for unlimited damages. Although this argument undercuts the intent and spirit of MICRA, Judge Barbara Miller of Alameda County court ruled in its favor (see American Medical News, Mar. 20, 2000) and the family got a judgment of $1.5M against the doctor.
Two years later, Judge Miller got an award from the trial lawyers' local organization, not for anything in particular, just for being a great judge. This award was announced on the official government web page for the Alameda county courts. Apparently, the judges here do not realize that receiving awards from a private pressure group might be something to be ashamed of, rather than to brag about. -- Steve White, Berkeley, Calif.