Letter: Let physicians do their work

Friday, July 5, 2002 | 3:42 a.m.

The people of Las Vegas deserve to have a local trauma center.

A year ago I marveled at the outstanding care my nephew received in Las Vegas. Thus, it is with disbelief that a city of your stature and financial wealth has closed its trauma center.

Do not let greedy malpractice lawyers keep you from accessing this level of medical care. While the loss of a loved one is painful, we must remember two human truths: We all must die. We all make mistakes. I am grateful that California put limits on lawsuits and thus helped keep liability costs down.

Having witnessed the beauty of a trauma team working at the highest professional levels on a family member, you need to let the physicians do their work. You would want this for your loved ones. Let physicians try to save lives before you waste precious time airlifting someone out of state. In life-threatening situations, only minutes stand between damaged brain functioning or even death.

Once a person dies, only the greedy are comforted by cash. The person has gone on and will not be brought back. And to punish a physician for trying to help but not being able to change the will of God -- is not morally right.

I hope you can correct this wrong.

ROSA CASTILLO Los Angeles