Judge Douglas McKeon to oversee expansion of the New York State Medical Malpractice Program

To reduce costs of medical malpractice in the Bronx, NYC, Judge Douglas McKeon helped launch in 2002 a pilot program to address lawsuits against municipal hospitals. The program uses judges who are specially trained to negotiate early settlements in medical malpractice cases and decreases the costs associated with trials and appeals.

This program will now be expanded to New York State and Judge Douglas McKeon will supervise the expansion. The program supported by New york City Health and Hospital Corp. will allow plaintiffs and defendant hospitals to go to a judge to mediate disputes in a controlled environment.

In 2010 the Obama Administration said the program contains medical costs and liabilities. If adopted nationwide it could potentially save the country a billion dollars per year.