Long before COVID-19 hit, we knew that the return to venue shopping in medical liability cases would severely impact access to health care. Facing the fallout of COVID-19, a change in the venue rule could push hospitals, nursing homes, and health care professionals over the edge. PCCJR recently penned a guest column, Returning to the…
Coalition Updates: Community
Still Waiting for Safe Harbor for COVID-19 Heroes
We may not know the full scope or impact of the COVID-19 pandemic yet, but what we do know is that the consequences of the decisions, deployed resources, and plans to save lives will be with us for years to come. Health care practitioners and businesses working to meet increased demand for Personal Protective Equipment…
PCCJR Members Take on the Coronavirus Challenge
At UPMC, researchers are reporting progress on potential COVID-19 vaccine that has shown early promise in tests on mice. Another group of UPMC researches say they are close to completing a blood test to determine immunity against the virus. Companies like Shell have helped keep the supply lines flowing for soaps and hand sanitizer and…
COVID-19 Heroes Deserve Immunity
Pennsylvania is facing new and unexpected challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Health care providers and businesses large and small are incurring risk to provided life-saving care, equipment, and goods to get us all through this public health crisis. They deserve our gratitude and support. Yet, this week the legislature went home without…
PA Supreme Court Closes Courts, Cancels April Arguments
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has canceled arguments in late April as part of a statewide effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The cases that were scheduled for argument will be decided on the briefs already submitted to the courts unless parties request otherwise. The Supreme Court declared a statewide judicial emergency on March 18,…
Senate Judiciary Committee Postpones Hearing on LBFC’s Venue Report
The Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on the LBFC’s medical liability venue report, originally scheduled for March 23, has been postponed. PCCJR will update you as soon as it is rescheduled. As Pennsylvania continues to deal with the threat posed by the COVID-19 virus, we will all be adjusting to the new reality of schedule disruption.…