§ 1912 - Expression of regret or apology by health care provider inadmissible - Vermont Statutes

§ 1912. Expression of regret or apology by health care provider inadmissible

(a) An oral expression of regret or apology, including any oral good faith explanation of how a medical error occurred, made by or on behalf of a health care provider or health care facility, that is provided within 30 days of when the provider or facility knew or should have known of the consequences of the error, does not constitute a legal admission of liability for any purpose and shall be inadmissible in any civil or administrative proceeding against the health care provider or health care facility, including any arbitration or mediation proceeding.

(b) In any civil or administrative proceeding against a health care provider or health care facility, including any arbitration or mediation proceeding, the health care provider, health care facility, or any other person who makes an oral expression of regret or apology, including any oral good faith explanation of how a medical error occurred, on behalf of the provider or facility, that is provided within 30 days of when the provider or facility knew or should have known of the consequences of the potential adverse outcome, may not be examined by deposition or otherwise with respect to the expression of regret, apology, or explanation.

(c) As used in this section:

(1) "Health care facility" shall have the same meaning as in subdivision 9402(7) of Title 18.

(2) "Health care provider" shall have the same meaning as in subdivision 9402(8) of Title 18.

(d) The liability protections afforded by subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not be construed to limit access to information that is otherwise discoverable.

(e) This section shall apply only to medical errors that occur on or after July 1, 2006. (Added 2005, No. 142 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)