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Following discovery that something has gone wrong with a patient, many medical professionals may wish to express their condolences or apologies to patients or their families. In some states, however, such expressions may be admissible before courts as possible evidence of wrongdoing or guilt in medical liability/malpractice cases. Many doctors are advised, if not ordered, to refrain from making such statements to patients and families, should the matter end up in court.
In an effort to reduce medical liability/malpractice lawsuits and litigation expenses, state legislators and policymakers are changing the laws to exclude expressions of sympathy, condolences or apologies from being used against medical professionals in court. Proponents of these so-called "I'm sorry" laws believe that allowing medical professionals to make these statements can reduce medical liability/malpractice litigation.
Thirty-nine states, the District of Columbia and Guam have provisions regarding medical professionals making apologies or sympathetic gestures. Of these states, six states have provisions that specifically relate to accidents.
Statutes Related to Apologies and Other Sympathetic Gestures Generally
| State |
Statutory Citation |
| Alaska |
Alaska Stat. §09.55.544 |
| Arizona |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §12-2605 |
| Colorado |
Colo. Rev. Stat. §13-25-135 |
| Connecticut |
Conn. Gen. Stat. §52-184d |
| Delaware |
Del. Code Ann. tit. 10, §4318 |
| District of Columbia |
D.C. Code Ann. §16-2841 |
| Georgia |
Ga. Code §24-4-416 |
| Guam |
Guam Code Ann. tit. 10, §11112 |
| Hawaii |
Hawaii Rev. Stat. §626-1, Rule 409.5 |
| Idaho |
Idaho Code §9-207 |
| Indiana |
Ind. Code §34-43.5-1-1 et seq. |
| Iowa |
Iowa Code §622.31 |
| Louisiana |
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §13:3715.5 |
| Maine |
Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 24, §2907 |
| Maryland |
Md. Courts & Judicial Proceedings Code Ann. §10-920 |
| Massachusetts |
Mass. Gen. Laws. Ann. ch. 233, §79L |
| Michigan |
Mich. Comp. Laws §600.2155 |
| Missouri |
Mo. Rev. Stat. §538.229 |
| Montana |
Mont. Code Ann. §26-1-814 |
| Nebraska |
Neb. Rev. Stat. §27-1201 |
| New Hampshire |
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §507-E:4 |
| North Carolina |
N.C. Gen. Stat. §8C-1, Rule 413 |
| North Dakota |
N.D. Cent. Code §31-04-12 |
| Ohio |
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §2317.43 |
| Oklahoma |
Okla. Stat. tit. 63, §1-1708.1H |
| Oregon |
Or. Rev. Stat. §677.082
Or. Rev. Stat. §679.549
|
| Pennsylvania |
Pa. Stat. tit. 35, §10228.1 et seq. |
| South Carolina |
S.C. Code Ann. §19-1-190 |
| South Dakota |
S.D. Codified Laws Ann. §19-12-411.1 |
| Utah |
Utah Code Ann. §78B-3-422 |
| Vermont |
Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12, §1912 |
| Virginia |
Va. Code §8.01-52.1
Va. Code §8.01-581.20:1 |
| West Virginia |
W. Va. Code §55-7-11A |
| Wisconsin |
Wis. Stat. §904.14 |
| Wyoming |
Wyo. Stat. §1-1-130 |
Statutes Related to Apologies and Other Sympathetic Gestures Related to an Accident
| State |
Statutory Citation |
| California |
Cal. Evidence Code §1160 |
| Florida |
Fla. Stat. §90.4026 |
| Massachusetts |
Mass. Gen. Laws. Ann. ch. 233, §23D |
| Tennessee |
Tenn. Evidence Rule §409.1 |
| Texas |
Tex. Civil Practice & Remedies Code Ann. §18.061 |
| Washington |
Wash. Rev. Code §5.66.010 |
Heather Morton is a senior fellow in NCSL's Fiscal Affairs Program. She covers financial services, alcohol production and sales, telecommunications and medical malpractice issues for NCSL.
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