Book Sheds Light on Medical Malpractice

David P. Gruber, MD

A Review of "A Brief History of Medical Malpractice 2000 B.C. to 2000 A.D.," by Robert L. McLaurin, MD, JD

"A Brief History of Medical Malpractice 2000 B.C. to 2000 A.D.," written by acclaimed pediatric neurosurgeon and attorney Robert McLaurin, provides a historical background for the current system of jurisprudence in the United States.

The author begins by detailing the first recorded extant laws promulgated by Hammurabi. Next, he discusses guiding legal principles from the Greeks and Romans, the Visigothic Code, and finally the history of English law as it relates to the medical profession.

Dr. McLaurin then reviews a history of medical malpractice law in the United States, noting that the first malpractice crisis occurred prior to the Civil War. The second malpractice crisis occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, based on insurance affordability. While the complexity of the present malpractice situation is not a primary objective of the discussion, the insights provided in this text provide a deeper understanding of the current tort system.

Note: Dr. McLaurin’s address is Apartment 5C, 2412 Ingleside Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45206-2165