Someone should show this to all the proponents of the "tort reform" movement, the people who are seeking to block ordinary Americans' ability to sue for medical malpractice.  The fact that a doctor can be sued for malpractice increases medical diligence.  Without accountability mediocrity takes over.  And no, medmal is not the reason for deterioration in the quality of our health care or for exponentially rising health care costs.  Those are far more attributable to the greed of insurers who raise premiums even in states like Virginia which have low caps on medmal claims, and on the adjustment of the system for the millions who can't afford to pay their medical bills.  The costs get passed on to the consumers who can pay.