On the Jury

I am that “prospective juror” Tony Perry referred to in San Diego At Large, March 30. He does not know me by name.

He wrote: “Some people fudge just a smidge when answering questions in court.” Then he cited my response to the defense attorney’s question to me as to whether I could be fair in my determinations in a malpractice suit being brought against a hospital. I answered that I could be fair--even though I am a member of the medical plan at that same hospital and even though I once had a negative personal experience there.

Perry wrote that “a hospital had misdiagnosed his cancer as inoperable.” Hospitals cannot diagnose or misdiagnose anything. Doctors can, however, and they do misdiagnose frequently. In my case, I sought a second opinion from a doctor in private practice. I then took his test results and his recommendations to a different doctor at the hospital in question. This new doctor treated me in a caring, professional manner. I continue to belong to the same medical plan. Tony Perry should take the time, when possible, to learn a bit more about the “rest of the story.”

GEORGE LESINSKI

Vista