Title: Man Catches Fire during Surgery

Source: Infowars.com, Reuters

Date: Monday, Apr. 18, 2005

Level: Intermediate

Click for article.

Vocabulary

Try to guess what these words mean from reading the article.
If you need help, check out OneLook Dictionary Search.

New words you will see in this article:

anonymous
alcohol
content(s)
determine
dispute(d)
emergency
factually
flame(s)
ignite
investigation
launch(ed)
media
mention(ed)
operate(-ing)
patient
pour
public(ly)
quality
surgery/surgical
undergo(ing)

Interesting phrases
catch fire
go up in flames
health care
launch an investigation
a sign of (something)

Talking Points

With your conversation partners, or classmates, you may wish to discuss the following:

(Note: This is a tragic situation. We do not wish to make light of it.)

Have you heard of any strange occurrences that happened during surgery?

What do you think could have prevented this, or was it purely accidental?

What should the man's family do (if anything) to seek compensation from the hospital?

Do you think a lawsuit would be appropriate in this situation?
Against whom? (the doctors/surgeons, hospital, others)

For More Practice

Check the newspaper for recent accidents or tragic events.
Describe the event(s) to your partner and discuss how this type of thing might be prevented in the future.

Pretend you work for a hospital where a tragic situation occurred.
How will you handle the publicity?

Do you think doctors are unfairly targeted in lawsuits?
How can we determine if a lawsuit is merited or not?