PersonalizeThe Washington PostCampaign 2012CongressCourts &LawThe Fed PageHealth CarePollingWhite HouseBlogs & ColumnsIssues: EnergyIn the NewsRon Paul Debate winners and losers Jan Brewer Florida poll Aneesh Chopra ???initialComments:true! pubdate:01/27/2012 12:17 EST! commentPeriod:14! commentEndDate:2/10/12 12:17 EST! currentDate:1/27/12 1:0 EST! allowComments:true! displayComments:true!
Photos: GOP candidates at Florida debate
What readers think they really said
Crazy things they confiscate at customs
Extravagant D.C. homesSantorum pushed to limit malpractice awards but sought larger payout for wife 
David Goldman/AP - Republican presidential candidate former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, left, leaves the Faith and Freedom Coalition rally with his wife Karen Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Text SizePrintE-mailReprints By Carol D. Leonnig, On the campaign trail, GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum says he will push to limit payments to victims in medical malpractice lawsuits, which he blames for unnecessarily driving up health-care costs. And over the course of his two decades in politics, he repeatedly spoke in favor of capping such awards.
But Santorum testified in support of his wife when she filed a medical malpractice suit in 1999 that sought $500,000, twice the cap in his original legislative proposal. Karen Santorum claimed that a Fairfax chiropractor had left her with a permanent back injury that probably would result in a lifetime of pain medication and restricted mobility.
Loading...CommentsWeigh InCorrections?
Rick Santorum:?The former Pennsylvania senator is seeking the Republican presidential nomination.Video
Rick Santorum told reporters at a campaign stop in Florida that its not his job to correct voters he speaks with who misidentify President Obama as Muslim. (Jan. 23)More on this StoryRead more on PostPolitics.comWinners and losers of the Florida debateFact checking the CNN debate in FloridaMitt Romney back in the lead in FloridaView all Items in this StoryRon Paul signed off on racist newsletters, associates sayExhausted and heading toward Florida failure, Santorum heads home--at least for nowRomney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performanceSantorum sought malpractice payout for his wifeObama outlines plan to cut college costsIn Florida, GOP candidates praise Marco Rubio, a favorite for running mateJustice Dept. questions itself in anthrax caseThis fall, while campaigning in Iowa, Santorum told reporters he backed some limits, but that his wife did not sue for “pain and suffering, which is the area I think we should cap.”
Although the lawsuit did not seek a specific figure for pain and suffering, the former senator testified in the case about the emotional and physical toll on his wife and how that justified a sizable monetary award, transcripts show. The judge in the case also made clear that the majority of the $350,000 the jury awarded the family was largely for unspecific losses and pain and suffering, which he concluded was “excessive.”
Santorum’s campaign advisers and spokesman did not respond to repeated requests by phone and e-mail for comment. Buthe has said in the past that there was no conflict between his testimony in his wife’s medical suit and his push to curtail payments to victims of medical malpractice.
Opponents of limiting malpractice claims disagree.
“It’s pretty hypocritical of him,” said Steven Bergstein, an Allentown, Pa., lawyer who represents medical victims in malpractice cases as well as corporations. “Politicians complain about these kinds of claims, but when they speak out publicly, they don’t think about the real people affected by these tragic events. When they are the real person affected, suddenly they have a totally different view.”
The lawsuit stemmed from a family tragedy, when in 1996 Karen Santorum gave birth prematurely to the couple’s fourth child, a son who died the same day. Suffering lower back pain after the delivery, Karen Santorum sought out a Burke chiropractor, David Dolberg, for help.
Dolberg performed a spinal manipulation, which he and other experts testified was standard, recommended therapy for her symptoms. Karen Santorum said that the treatment caused a herniated disc in her spine, which was surgically removed a week later. Dolberg declined to comment.
(The Santorums unsuccessfully sought to seal the records in the lawsuit against Dolberg and the center where he worked, saying her husband’s role as a senator would draw attention to the case and violate his wife’s privacy.)
At the four-day trial, the Santorums both testified to the non-economic losses she and their family suffered.
Santorum told the Fairfax County Circuit Court jury that his wife wasn’t able to do some of the tasks she enjoyed as a mother. He said the pain made her unable to exercise and stay fit, and now she “does not have the confidence” to help him with public events on his campaigns.
Continued12Next PageEmailTumblrRedditStumbleuponDiggDeliciousWeigh InDiscussion PolicyAbout Discussions, Badges Newest firstOldest firstMost Recommended first SuperFan BadgeSuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.
More about badges | Request a badge Culture Connoisseur BadgeCulture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.
More about badges | Request a badge Fact Checker BadgeFact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.
More about badges | Request a badge Washingtologist BadgeWashingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.
More about badges | Request a badge Post Writer BadgeThis commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.
Post Forum BadgePost Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge Weather Watcher BadgeWeather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.
More about badges | Request a badge World Watcher BadgeWorld Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge Post RecommendedWashington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.
You must be logged in to report a comment.
Sign in hereYou must be logged in to recommend a comment.
Sign in hereComments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.
All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.
More about badgesGet a badgeTo pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.
Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers. + SHARE THIS DEBATE
Featured Blogs & Columns
Election 2012News and conversation about the 2012 elections.
Fact CheckerThe truth behind the rhetoric
The TakeDan Balz on politics WP Social Reader Hide this Friends' Activity Most Popular in politics Most Popular in politics Most Popular Right Now
Your Friends’ Most Recent Activity
View More ActivityPowered by
The Post Most: PoliticsMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hoursMost PopularCNN Florida debate: Winners and losersRon Paul signed off on racist 1990s newsletters, associates sayFlorida GOP debate: Gingrich and Romney clash on immigration, taxesObama-backed electric car battery company files for bankruptcy protectionFact checking the CNN debate in JacksonvilleTop VideosBest GOP debate lines, from grandmas to lunar colonies (1:36)Jan Brewer defends pointing finger at Obama (1:46)Ron Paul challenges candidates to bike ride (1:18)Ariz. Governor Jan Brewer squares off with ObamaStephen Colbert: New attack ad targeting RomneyTop GalleriesPresident Obama on the campaign trailCandidates debate in JacksonvilleNewt Gingrich's 2012 runState of the UnionCampaign 2012: Ron Paul Fact or Fiction? Loading... Track all the Campaign 2012 fact checks Campaign 2012 tools 
Republican primary tracker Explore the state of the 2012 race in key early states.
Mad Money: Campaign ads Watch the latest campaign ads and track how much candidates spend.
Campaign Finance Explorer See who's raising and spending the most money.
2012 Presidential Candidates
Mitt Romney
Newt Gingrich
Ron Paul
Rick Santorum
Barack ObamaSee AllFeatured Advertiser LinksMesothelioma cancer shatters lives. Find out what to do before the killer strikes the one you love.>>Actos gave you bladder cancer? You may be entitled to compensation. Learn how to file an Actos lawsuit.>>Help Barack stand up for working Americans. Join our campaign now.>>The only candidate fighting for the middle class: Pres. Obama. Join us.>>Sign up for email updates from President Obama's 2012 campaign.>>Sign up for official email updates from Barack Obama's campaign.>>Looking to buy a home? Visit TWP Real Estate section for the latest open houses.>>Make Your Vanguard Investing More Profitable - Free Research Report Reveals Best & Worst Funds>>Top politics Stories People Also ReadMost Popular VideosCNN Florida debate: Winners and losersAaron Blake; Rachel Weiner 
Ron Paul signed off on racist newsletters in the 1990s, associates sayJerry Markon; Alice Crites 
Florida GOP debate: Gingrich and Romney clash on immigration, taxes::unspecified:: 
Obama-backed car battery company files for bankruptcy protectionCarol D. Leonnig 
Fact checking the CNN debate in JacksonvilleGlenn Kessler 
State of the Union 2012: Obama speech transcript::unspecified:: 
Mitt Romney’s tax return problemAl Kamen 
The defense budget and civilian federal payEd O'keefe 
Obama tangles with Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer over immigration bookDavid Nakamura Mitt Romney back in the lead in FloridaAaron Blake .jpg)
A bogus chart on Obama and the debt gets a new lease on lifeGlenn Kessler 
Newt Gingrich launches furious attacks against Mitt Romney in Florida speechAmy Gardner; Rosalind S. Helderman 
Romney boosted in Florida by new poll numbers, strong debate performanceDan Balz; Amy Gardner 
Poll watcher: Romney leads Gingrich in FloridaScott Clement Romney campaign to correct financial disclosure forms to include overseas incomeDan Eggen 
Obama argues GOP this fall will have to explain economic strategies that caused near-meltdownAssociated Press 
Survey paints portrait of black women in AmericaKrissah Thompson Federal retirees face confusion, possibly payment delayJoe Davidson Fact-checking the 2012 State of the Union speechGlenn Kessler 
Obama proposes plan to reduce college costsDavid Nakamura Ways you can get us Mobile Apps Newsletter & alerts RSS Post Store Facebook Photo Store Twitter Washington Post Live The Washington Post Work for us Community Relations PostPoints Corrections/Suggestions Archive Contact the Ombudsman Report a problem Web site Make us your homepage Digital Guidelines Ask The Post Newspaper Subscribe Home delivery service e-Replica Advertise In the newspaper On the web site Mobile Events The Washington Post Company Post Company web sites Partners Slate Express Night Out Captial Business El Tiempo Latino The Root Foreign Policy Trove Post Tickets Capitol Deal Service Alley Post Master Class WP Live Student Advisor College Reviews © 1996- The Washington Post Terms of Service Privacy Policy Reprints and Permissions Help Contact Us Ad Choices 
