Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 1984

Chiesa v. Fetchko

Chiesa v. Fetchko
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania · Decided May 25, 1984 · Robert, Nix, Larsen, Flaherty, McDermott, Papadakos, Zappala, Hutchinson
475 A.2d 740; 504 Pa. 503; 1984 Pa. LEXIS 262 (Atlantic Reporter, Second Series)

Chiesa v. Fetchko

Dissenting Opinion

HUTCHINSON, Justice,

dissenting.

For the reasons set forth in my dissenting opinion in Heller and Simone v. Frankston, 504 Pa. 528, 475 A.2d 1291 (1984), I also dissent in this case. I would reach the merits, determine whether an irreconcilable conflict exists between Section 602 of the Health Care Services Malpractice Act, Act of October 15, 1975, P.L. 390, as amended, 40 P.S. § 1301.602 (Supp.1983-84) and Section 1409 of the Fraud and Abuse Control Act, Act of June 13, 1967, P.L. 31, added July 10, 1980, P.L. 493, 62 P.S. § 1409, and, if so, resolve it.

Opinion of the Court

ORDER

PER CURIAM.

The parties in the instant appeal frame the issues as being whether Section 602 of the Health Care Services Malpractice Act (Act), Act of October 15, 1975, P.L. 390, as amended, 40 P.S. § 1301.602 (Supp.1983-84), applies to medical malpractice cases settled within the exclusive jurisdiction of the common pleas courts. We need not address this issue, however, inasmuch as the arbitration process in the area of medical malpractice has been declared unconstitutional. Heller v. Frankston, 504 Pa. 528, 475 A.2d 1291 (1984); Mattos v. Thompson, 491 Pa. 385, 421 A.2d 190 (1980). The statutory section in question, entitled “Reduc*505tion of award by other benefits,” is no longer viable. Heller v. Frankston, supra; Mattos v. Thompson, supra.

Accordingly, the Order of the Superior Court is hereby affirmed.

HUTCHINSON, J., filed a dissenting opinion. PAPADAKOS, J., did not participate in this case.

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