2317.43 Medical liability action - defendant's expression of sympathy for victim inadmissible. - Ohio Statutes

2317.43 Medical liability action - defendant's expression of sympathy for victim inadmissible.

(A) In any civil action brought by an alleged victim of an unanticipated outcome of medical care or in any arbitration proceeding related to such a civil action, any and all statements, affirmations, gestures, or conduct expressing apology, sympathy, commiseration, condolence, compassion, or a general sense of benevolence that are made by a health care provider or an employee of a health care provider to the alleged victim, a relative of the alleged victim, or a representative of the alleged victim, and that relate to the discomfort, pain, suffering, injury, or death of the alleged victim as the result of the unanticipated outcome of medical care are inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest.

(B) For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Health care provider” has the same meaning as in division (B)(5) of section 2317.02 of the Revised Code.

(2) “Relative” means a victim’s spouse, parent, grandparent, stepfather, stepmother, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, or spouse’s parents. The term includes said relationships that are created as a result of adoption. In addition, “relative” includes any person who has a family-type relationship with a victim.

(3) “Representative” means a legal guardian, attorney, person designated to make decisions on behalf of a patient under a medical power of attorney, or any person recognized in law or custom as a patient’s agent.

(4) “Unanticipated outcome” means the outcome of a medical treatment or procedure that differs from an expected result.

Effective Date: 07-01-1971