Editorial | Exercising caution

In the wake of tragedy, it's sometimes hard not to jump to conclusions.

Last week, the family of College sophomore Anne Ryan, who died suddenly from meningitis last year, filed a lawsuit against the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, alleging that doctors mistreated and misdiagnosed her.

Ryan's death last September shocked the Penn community and our sympathy goes out to her friends and family. With this lawsuit against HUP, the family has raised some important questions about medical accountability. Their views deserve to be heard.

Still, it's equally important for students and faculty not to hurriedly pass judgment on HUP staff members because of the lawsuit. Blaming doctors or trying the case in the media only exacerbates an already tense emotional situation, without doing anything to help clarify the circumstances that led to Ryan's death.

Only once these facts come to light, can the University hope to prevent the occurrence of a similar tragedy.

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