Complete Story
06/27/2007
Amicus Brief
Amicus Brief FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
March 15, 2004
Contact:
Patricia M. Adkison
Address:
7794 Grow Drive
Pensacola, FL 32514-7072
Phone:
(850) 474-3646
FAX:
(850) 484-8762
Email:
pmadkison@puetzamc.com
ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT RULES ONLY NURSES CAN TESTIFY ON STANDARD OF CARE FOR NURSES
Pensacola, Fla � The American Association of Nurse Attorneys (TAANA) recently announced that the Illinois Supreme Court responded positively to TAANA�s Amicus Brief submitted in the case of Sullivan v. Edward Hosp., No. 95409, 2004 WL 228956 (Ill. Feb. 5, 2004) when the court issued its decision on February 5, 2004. Citing extensively to the TAANA brief and also to the authorities cited by TAANA, the court ruled that only a nurse is qualified to offer opinion evidence as to the nursing standard of care.
The brief was drafted after almost two years of research by members of the TAANA Litigation Section and was written by Karen Butler, Chair of the Litigation Section. The Chicago Chapter of TAANA, particularly, Leatrice Schmidt, reviewed and submitted the brief. The issue, in brief, was whether a physician, who is not a nurse, should be permitted to offer expert opinion evidence, as to the standard of care for nurses. The TAANA position is that nurses and only nurses have the authority and responsibility to define the scope and practice of nursing. The Illinois Trial Lawyers also submitted an Amicus Brief arguing that physicians can do anything a nurse can do and, therefore, a physician can always testify as to the standard of care for nurses.
For a copy of the decision, contact the TAANA National Office by phone at (877) 538-2262 or by email TAANA_executive_office@goamp.com. To contact Karen Butler, call Thuillez, Ford, Gold, Johnson & Butler at 518-455-9952 or email kbutler@tfgjlaw.com.
The American Association of Nurse Attorneys is a professional association that serves as a resource network for nurse attorneys and educates the public on matters of nursing, health care and the law.
3/15/2004