Ont. bill would protect those who apologize from lawsuits
07.10.2008 17:08
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
Ontario residents and institutions will likely soon be able to say they're sorry without fear that their apology could be used in a lawsuit against them. The Apology Act, introduced Tuesday in the legislature, prevents apologies for accidents or wrongdoing from being used as evidence of liability in civil lawsuits and administrative and professional disciplinary proceedings. It will apply to both individuals and to organizations such as hospitals. "The goal of the legislation is to encourage sincere apologies — saying sorry for a mistake or wrongdoing is the right thing to do," Attorney General Chris Bentley said in a statement. The legal system has made it difficult for people or organizations to apologize out of fear it could later be used in lawsuits, Bentley said. "We see fewer and fewer acknowledgments, demonstrations of regret, demonstrations of remorse, until the lawsuit," he said. The government said the bill would help speed up healing and reconciliation by allowing people or institutions to acknowledge when they've done someone harm. If it passes, as most government bills do, the act is expected to have a significant impact on the health-care field because professionals are generally advised not to apologize for fear those statements could be used against them in court. Health Minister David Caplan said the bill would allow health-care professionals to be more open and honest with patients and their families, and therefore improve patient safety. In addition, the government expects it to remove barriers to discussing and settling disputes and reduce the number that wind up in the courts. The legislation will not affect victims' right to sue or their right to compensation, the release said. The legislation was introduced as a private member's bill by Liberal backbencher David Orazietti, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. Similar bills exist in B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba and many U.S. and Australian states. With files from the Canadian PressStory Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksProposed Ont. bill would allow apologies without incurring liabilityProposed law could help Manitoba health workers apologizeHealth HeadlinesAntibiotics not a prerequisite for C. difficile infections: studyHospitals are not the only place that people come down with C. difficile, and antibiotics aren't always linked to the infection, according to a new study that challenges conventional thinking.U.S. drug companies say no cold medicines for kids under 4Children under four should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, drug companies said Tuesday in a concession to pediatricians who doubt the drugs work in kids and worry about their safety.Pneumonia vaccine halves heart attack risk: studyThe pneumonia vaccine not only prevents the bacterial infection but the shot also seems to dramatically lower the risk of heart attacks in adults, a new Canadian study suggests.Cancer inquiry will help improve lab work far beyond St. John's: expert The mistakes revealed at Newfoundland and Labrador's breast cancer inquiry could have happened at any lab, and are a lesson for care providers, a U.S. expert says. Fans may help prevent SIDSUsing a fan or opening a window could reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome by improving ventilation, researchers suggest. Health FeaturesIN DEPTHNobel PrizeFrom Alfred's willIN DEPTHFood additivesPreservation with a risk?HEALTHPsychologyInside the endurance athlete's mindVIEWPOINTHeather MallickOn controversy, democracy and e-mailHEALTHTuberculosisAnatomy of a killerCHILD PSYCHOLOGYPoliticians' behaviourHow do we explain it to our kids?People who read this also read …
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