Heirs Keep Their Right to Court Access
11/06/08 08:43
The Utah Supreme Court recently held that health
care providers cannot force the spouse and children
into arbitration for wrongful death claims due to
medical malpractice. In Bybee v. Abdulla, the
plaintiff brought a claim for wrongful death when
her husband died as a result of alleged medical
negligence. The healthcare provider had an
arbitration agreement with the deceased husband and
claimed that the arbitration agreement also waived
the wife's right to go to court.... even while the
healthcare provider retained their right to sue the
husband for collection of fees. The Utah Supreme
Court recognized that the wife and her children did
not agree to arbitration and could not be forced to
give up their rights of court access to redress the
wrong. The full case can be read here (pdf).