According to a recent AAJ article the legal rights of servicemembers injured by medical negligence would be restored under legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate. The article states that a 1950 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Feres v. United States prevents servicemembers on active duty from holding the government accountable for non-combat related injuries. This decision strips military families of their right to seek redress through our civil justice system. The Carmelo Rodriguez Military Medical Accountability Act (S. 1347 / H.R. 1478), sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), would offer servicemembers injured by medical negligence the same protections currently provided to veterans.

Jury awards punitive damages against manufacturer of surgical mesh
The jury in the first federal trial involving transvaginal mesh returned a verdict of $2 million Thursday. The woman brought suit against C R Bard, Inc., alleging the manufacturer failed to warn about product defects which caused injuries, including bleeding and pain requiring her to undergo two surgeries