For the purposes of this chapter, the term:
(1) "Court" means the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
(2) "Healthcare provider" means an individual or entity licensed or otherwise authorized under District law to provide healthcare service, including a hospital, nursing facility, comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, home health agency, hospice program, renal dialysis facility, ambulatory surgical center, pharmacy, physician or health care practitioner's office, long-term care facility, behavior health residential treatment facility, health clinic, birth center, clinical laboratory, health center, physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified nurse midwife, psychologist, certified social worker, registered dietitian or nutrition professional, physical or occupational therapist, pharmacist, or other individual health care practitioner.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
Law 16-263, the "Medical Malpractice Amendment Act of 2006", was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 16-334, which was referred to Committee on Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on December 5, 2006, and December 19, 2006, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on December 28, 2006, it was assigned Act No. 16-619 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 16-263 became effective on March 14, 2007.
(a) Any person who intends to file an action in the court alleging medical malpractice against a healthcare provider shall notify the intended defendant of his or her action not less than 90 days prior to filing the action. Notice may be given by service on an intended defendant at his or her last known address registered with the appropriate licensing authority. Upon a showing of a good faith effort to give the required notice, the court may excuse the failure to give notice within the time prescribed.
(b) The notice required in subsection (a) of this section shall include sufficient information to put the defendant on notice of the legal basis for the claim and the type and extent of the loss sustained, including information regarding the injuries suffered. Nothing herein shall preclude the person giving notice from adding additional theories of liability based upon information obtained in court-conducted discovery or adding injuries or loss which become known at a later time.
(c) A legal action alleging medical malpractice shall not be commenced in the court unless the requirements of this section have been satisfied.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
If the notice required under § 16-2802 is served within 90 days of the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, the time for the commencement of the action shall be extended 90 days from the date of the service of the notice.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
(a) Section 16-2802 shall not apply to:
(1) Any intended defendant whose name is unknown or who was not licensed at the time of the alleged occurrence or is unlicensed at the time notice is given;
(2) Any claim that is unknown to the person at the time of filing his or her notice; or
(3) Any intended defendant who is identified in the notice by a misnomer.
(b) Nothing indicated herein shall prevent the court from waiving the requirements of § 16-2802 upon a showing of good faith effort to comply or if the interests of justice dictate.
(Mar. 14, 2007, D.C. Law 16-263, § 302, 54 DCR 807.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 16-263, see notes following § 16-2801.
