***Well, since I live in Oregon, that's the only law I'm familiar with, but my friend/lawyer commented that it is a development in the legal field that took a long time to come. The more conservative states (where the right to jury trials are more strictly regulated, I guess) may not be there yet.

*** I'd suggest opening the phone book and finding an advertisement for a medical malpractice attorney. Call him/her up and ask 'em. ["Does Washington law allow recovery for under-treatment of pain?"] Shouldn't cost anything.

*** Knowing your rights and knowing when to exercise them is another thing. I haven't mentioned lawyers or legal rights at all with Kaiser. But -- having a lawyer as I go through Kaiser's "appeal/grievance" procedures cannot hurt.

CB