Day 108: This is one in a series of posts assessing key developments during Gov. Rick Snyder's self-imposed 182 days to chart a new course for Michigan by July 1. For earlier posts go to mlive.com/stateofchange.

Gov. Rick Snyder today signed into law legislation that allows medical providers to express sympathy to patients and their families without fear that it could be used against them in a malpractice suit.

The one-page bill simply says that a verbal or written statement offering sympathy, compassion or sense of benevolence relating to the suffering or death of an individual, to the patient or family, could be not considered an admission of liability in a medical malpractice suit.

Thirty-five other states have so-called “I’m sorry,” laws like the one that received final legislative approval on a near-unanimous basis. Michigan’s health care community says encouraging doctors, now counseled against doing so, to offer condolence leads to fewer lawsuits. Without words of comfort, patients and family members are denied closure, which can lead to lawsuits based more on suspicion and anger than actual evidence of fault.

“Sometimes a doctor can do everything right and still lose a patient, or not be able to save a limb or prevent a stroke,” Snyder said in a bill signing statement. “But hearing the simple words ‘I’m sorry’ can still mean a great deal to patients and their families.”

The Michigan Association for Justice, which represents trial lawyers, supported the bill. A statement of fault, negligence or culpability made in addition to an expression of sympathy would remain admissible as evidence in a suit.

The sponsor, Sen. James Marleau, R-Lake Orion, introduced the same bill last year in the House. It never received a hearing.

Contact Peter Luke at (517) 487-8888 ext. 235 or e-mail him at pluke@boothmichigan.com.