#United States #Consumer Watchdog #Sacramento #SB 29 #Tammy Smick

Advocating for Justice: Consumer Watchdog's Call for SB 29

In a powerful new video from Consumer Watchdog, the heart-wrenching story of a mother, Tammy Smick, highlights the critical importance of supporting Senate Bill 29 (SB 29) in California. This bill aims to extend survivors' rights to seek compensation for pre-death pain and suffering due to medical negligence, a right that has been fraught with challenges and misconceptions.

Tammy Smick's son, Alex, tragically lost his life at the young age of 20 due to gross medical negligence. The grieving mother opened up about her family’s harrowing journey, expressing the emotional toll of losing a child under such circumstances. One pivotal part of her story is the inability to seek justice through the court system because, at the time of Alex's passing, California had one of the most restrictive policies in the nation about pre-death pain and suffering compensation. Tammy noted that California was one of only four states that denied families this right, which prevented them from finding justice for their lost loved ones.

With SB 29 currently being considered by the Assembly Appropriations Committee after passing the Senate, it is crucial for the public to understand the stakes. The new legislation would extend the limited window for survivors to seek compensation until 2030, thus providing families an opportunity to recover damages for the emotional suffering endured by their deceased loved ones before their passing.

Tammy's powerful argument against the opposition highlights a critical misconception: that allowing compensation for pre-death pain and suffering would inevitably drive up medical malpractice costs. In the video, she presents data demonstrating that since California lifted its ban on these types of damages in 2022, there has been no uptick in medical malpractice insurance premiums. In fact, claims related to malpractice have significantly dropped, standing at their lowest level in decades as a percentage of premiums.

“Since we could not recover for Alex's suffering before he died, that prevented my family from finding justice in a court of law because the damages available were not great enough,” Tammy poignantly states. She underscores the emotional and financial burden that the lack of legislative support has placed on families like hers. As more survivors begin to seek justice under SB 29, it is incumbent upon legislators and the public to be informed about the realities and implications of medical negligence.

The video concludes with a passionate plea from Tammy Smick urging viewers to support SB 29, emphasizing that protecting survivors and their rights is far more critical than unfounded concerns about financial repercussions that would not materialize. She describes the bill not as a threat to the healthcare system but as a necessary step forward for patient rights and justice.

As this bill moves through the legislative process, the voices of advocates like Tammy Smick become increasingly vital. It is about time that survivors' rights are not just recognized but upheld, giving families the opportunity to seek justice and healing in the wake of unimaginable loss. Support for SB 29 signifies a collective step towards creating a more just medical system that acknowledges and compensates for the pain caused by negligence.

The powerful message delivered through Consumer Watchdog's campaign serves as a reminder of the human lives affected by legislative decisions. Public support and awareness can make a difference, ensuring that stories of loss like that of Alex Smick are not in vain but rather a catalyst for change within the medical community.