Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Military

U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Military Malpractice Case

Staff Sgt. Dean Witt
MySpace
Staff Sgt. Dean Witt

The U.S. Supreme Court announced today it would not hear the case of Staff Sgt. Dean Witt, who died after a military doctors botched his appendectomy, according to the Stars and Stripes. The Supreme Court’s decision means the Feres Doctrine will remain the law of the land, as it has been since 1950.

As Home Post explained last week, the Feres Doctrine prohibits servicemembers from suing military doctors for malpractice. Witt’s family brought a lawsuit against the government, according to the Stars and Stripes, after a routine surgery left 25-year-old Staff Sgt. Witt in a vegetative state (read more).

A big decision awaits some voters this April as the race for San Diego County’s Supervisor District 1 seat heats up. Are you ready to vote? Check out the KPBS Voter Hub to learn about the candidates, the key issues the board is facing and how you can make your voice heard.