Just Transparency post: One important immunity achieved with legislation protecting healthcare providers from lawsuits
In his latest Just Transparency post, Jeffrey N. Catalano writes that recently passed legislation that provides Massachusetts healthcare workers and facilities with immunity from civil liability while they are on the front lines of the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 response is an important protective measure during the COVID-19 emergency.
The legislation protects healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians, as well as certain healthcare facilities, from liability and suit when the care that they provide is impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak only during the period of the COVID-19 emergency
“This is essential and smart legislation,” Mr. Catalano writes. “Our front-line healthcare providers should not have to deal with the added stress of being sued as they care for COVID-19 patients while also worrying about getting themselves or their family infected.”
Mr. Catalano is a medical malpractice attorney who has represented patients over 25 years and is a passionate patient safety advocate. Nonetheless, “healthcare providers should not be sued for mistakes that may happen when they are attempting in good faith, to the best of their abilities, to save lives,” he observes.
Mr. Catalano, a partner at the firm, represents victims of catastrophic injuries, including those resulting from medical negligence. He has been selected to the Best Lawyers in America directory for personal injury and product liability litigation (plaintiffs) for six consecutive years (2015-20). He has been chosen as a New England Super Lawyer each year since 2009.