| Civil Cases The Expensive Insurance Premiun 17.8 Dr. Sam Akiba, a surgeon, complains that he has to pay $50,000 each year in premiums for adequate malpractice insurance. This insurance protects him against having to pay claims made by a patient or a pateint's family in the even that the patient suffers injury or death through a medical error during surgery. a. What might happen to Dr. Akiba if he did not carry malpractice insurance? b. Why do you think Dr. Akiba's insurance premium is so high? c. Who pays the cost of Dr. Akiba's insurance? d. What action can be taken to lower these premiums? The Nonstop Car 17.9 Pulling left into the outside lane to pass a slow moving truck, Larry saw the traffic light turn yellow. "If I step on it, I'll make this light," he thought. He speeded up, exceeding the limit slightly. Just then an oncoming car made a left turn in front of him. Larry hit the brakes, but it was too late. A few seconds later, pinned against the steering wheel, he saw the other driver, Charles, stagger out of the car, bleeding and holding his shoulder in pain. a. Who should be responsible for the medical and car repair bills resulting from this accident? b. In most cases, who pays for repairs resulting from auto accidents? The School Slip and Fall 17.12 Mrs. Martinez is the art teacher at Central High School. Dale is a tenth-grade student. One afternoon the maintenence staff forgot to display a warning notice that the floors had been mopped and were wet. The stairway leading to the art studio was so slippery that Dale fell down the stairs, breaking his arm. Mrs. Martinez was teaching an art class at the time. When she heard the noise of his fall, she ran out to see what was wrong. She, too, slipped on the soapy water and broke her ankle. a. Who is responsible for Dale's injury? For Mrs. Martinez's injury? b. From whom will Dale recover damages? c. Is there a limit to the amount that Dale can recover? d. From whom will Mrs. Martinez recover damages? How will she recover those damages? e. Is there a limit to the amount that Mrs. Martinez can recover? f. Why does the law treat these two injured people differently? Is this fair? Explain. |