February 2005

Letters to the Editor

Calling Eliot Spitzer

I am a personal injury plaintiffs' attorney.

At a recent insurance law CLE, a knowledgeable speaker on "Directors and Officers" insurance products revealed that the number and size of claims far exceed the premium rates charged for the D & O policies. This may be due in part to the recent explosion of such claims in the wake of Enron, et al. Nevertheless, what came to my mind immediately was the obvious anomaly this scenario presents to the medical malpractice insurance arena. All credible sources indicate that the number of malpractice claims are definitely not rising and perhaps declining as are the size of awards. However, it has been widely proclaimed that malpractice insurance premiums are soaring and out of control: doctors and conservative politicians blaming lawyers.

Wouldn't it be nice if someone could once and for all investigate this industry and expose the truth — the whole truth?

Kirk I. Mortensen
Seattle

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