8A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WORLD
THURSDAY, MAY 11. 2006
Michelle Grittmann/Kansan
If the robe fits...
Toshiaki Kato, Okayama, Japan, senior zips up a gown as he tries it on for size. "I don't graduate until December, but my parents are coming to see me walk down the hill," Kato said.
NATION Majority of malpractice suits groundless
About 40 percent of the medical malpractice cases filed in the United States are groundless, according to a Harvard analysis of the hotly debated issue that pits trial lawyers against doctors, with lawmakers in the middle.
The vast majority of those dubious cases were dismissed with no payout to the patient. Groundless lawsuits still accounted for 15 percent of the money paid out in settlements or verdicts.
Many of the lawsuits analyzed contained no evidence that a medical error was committed or that the patient suffered any
injury, the researchers reported.
The study's lead researcher, David Studdert of the Harvard School of Public Health, said the findings challenge the view among tort reform supporters that the legal system is riddled with frivolous claims that lead to exorbitant payouts.
The Associated Press
Iraqi president calls for peace
TERRORISM
BY TAREK EL-TABLAWY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD, Iraq — President Jalal Talabani urged Iraq's feuding factions Wednesday to unite against surging crime and terrorism, saying Iraqis feel "shock, dismay and anger" at the ongoing slaughter.
the bengalog. The government reported 952 people most of them civilians died nationwide last month in "terrorist" violence, including attacks by sectarian death
squads that torture and kill their victims before dumping the mutilated bodies in the streets.
tated bodies in the streets.
"What is asked of the political parties is that they strenuously and clearly condemn these crimes, regardless of who the perpetrators are," Talabani, a former Kurdish guerrilla commander, said in a statement. "Clerics — be they Muslim, Christians, Shite or Sunni — from all factions should also issue edicts rejecting these note."
Figures from the ministries
of health and interior showed that during April, 686 civilians were killed in politically motivated violence, along with 190 insurgents, 54 policemen and 22 Iraqi soldiers.
Iraq Soldier
Eighty-two coalition troops
— including 76 Americans,
three Italians, one Romanian,
one Britain and one Australian
— died in Iraq during the same period.
The ministries' figures for previous months were not available Wednesday night.
At least 3,550 Iraqis, including civilians, officials and security forces, have been killed in war-related violence this year, according to an Associated Press tally. That includes at least 615 in January,741 in February,1,038 in March and 801 in April.
U. S. officials say the relentless bloodshed adds new urgency to efforts by Iraq's religiously and ethnically based parties to complete formation of a broad-based government.
Flower power
Gail Sherron, associate director of the KU Office of Admissions and Scholarships, points out the bearded irises along Jayhawk Boulevard to a group of students from Anthony Elementary School Wednesday afternoon. The Leavenworth students toured the KU campus in groups led by representatives from Kansas.
Oriental
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