Medical Liability Influenced by Technology

While many issues come into play in the current crisis in the medical malpractice system such as exorbitant jury awards and insurance industry pricing tactics, a new report points out the central role medical technology plays in the formulation of health policy and legal precedents on medical negligence. The report, “Medical Liability and the Culture of Technology” by Peter D. Jacobson, says that the history of medical malpractice liability closely parallels the development of medical technology, and that any attempt at reforming the system must take into account how technology influences malpractice liability—and vice versa.