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Study: More Cancer Suits May Cost NM Millions

A new study has found that New Mexico may have to pay as much as $120 million for an estimated 101 new medical malpractice claims that could be part of a potential class action lawsuit.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that state General Services Department Secretary Ed Burckle says that's in addition to about $45 million in settlements the state has paid to 118 families since 1998.

University of New Mexico hospital officials first disclosed in 1998 that children appeared not to have been given the newest drug therapies for acute lymphoblastic leukemia from 1989 to October 1996.

A copy of the state-commissioned actuarial study, obtained by the Journal, found the state's previous actuarial studies allotted only $19.6 million for future settlements of pediatric oncology cases.