Actor James Woods to testify on RI bill to allow doctors to apologize without facing liability

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Rhode Island officials say actor James Woods will be testifying before a state legislative committee in support of a bill that would allow doctors to apologize for bad treatment outcomes, but ban those apologies from being used against them in malpractice lawsuits.

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The Warwick native is set to testify before the House Committee on Judiciary on Wednesday in favour of the so-called “benevolent gestures” bill.

Woods’ brother, Michael, died of a heart attack at Kent Hospital in 2006. Woods sued the hospital accusing emergency room staff of not doing enough to save his brother, but he settled the lawsuit after a hospital executive apologized and agreed to start an institute in Michael Woods’ name.

Studies show medical malpractice claims decrease when doctors apologize for mistakes and other negative outcomes.