Assignment 4

Discussion

Read the article in the September 22 Valley News on Bronson v. Hitchcock Clinic

1. `The clinic argued that Roland Bronson's expert witness showed Judy Bronson was equally likely to have died from the pre-existing cancer as from a negligent delay in diagnosis.' Where does the `equally likely' come from?
2. The court ruled that statistical evidence `may form the underlying basis for an opinion on causation, but bare percentages alone are not sufficient to establish causation.' Do you agree?
3. You are about to play a game of Russian Roulette. Two of the chambers of your 8-shooter are loaded. Unbeknownst to you, your roommate slips bullets into two more of the chambers. You die, and your family sues your roommate for wrongful death. The court rules in favor of your roommate, arguing that bare percentages alone are not sufficient to establish causation. How do you feel about this?
4. The spokesperson for the clinic said that `the Supreme Court decision...reaffirms what we have always understood the medical malpractice statute to be.' Does this statement give you qualms about the quality of care delivered at the Hitchcock Clinic?

Homework assignments for Thursday October 6

No new assignment from FPPA, but be sure that all the first three homework assignments from FPPA have been handed in by Thursday's class.

Journal Assignment for Thursday October 6

We will mail you the results of the questionnaire. Explore this data using Data Desk. Record any interesting findings in your journal. You can get additional help with Data Desk in the x-hour on Wednesday. Hand your complete journal in on Thursday.