That is your right.  The difference in our opinions hinges on one main
point that keeps a lot of lawyers busy, and that is the presumption
among many that a bad outcome indicates that something was done negligently.
    It is routine for instance to warranty auto repairs; it is definitely
not only not routine, but unethical to warranty a medical procedure.
The reasons are based not only on hundreds of years of medical
convention, but also an understanding that there is a difference between
blood and guts on the one hand; and nuts and bolts on the other.

Steve

Long post to follow, but I'm not offended at your statements.  I just
don't happen to agree with them.

Let's say you have a 1955 Thunderbird that was driven until it had
120K miles, was restored once in 1980, has another 80K on it, and
needs another engine rebuilt.  The 312 V-8 has some parts that are
not available at the local auto parts store and the mechanic doing the
second rebuild doesn't know exactly what the mechanic did on the first
rebuild.

Two head bolts break off just getting the engine apart.  The carburator
jets need to be replaced, but they aren't available as new parts.  It
takes three tries to properly modify available parts to fix them.

The cam is not stock.  The cylinders are already .060 over and
you aren't sure you can squeeze another .030.  Two exhaust manifold
bolts are missing.

On and on through the rebuild, and then torquing down the last
head bolt, POP, another one goes.  Off comes the head and all of the
head bolts are re-examined, a few drilled and tapped before final
assembly.

Should the engine rebuild be the same cost as one for a 1995 Taurus?
Should the mechanic accept responsibility for parts that failed?
Should the mechanic charge extra for adapting available parts to
fit an obsolete engine?

Most mechanics would simply say, "I don't work on that kind of
project".  Dentists do it every day.

Some dental treatment is easier than others.  A small one-surface
restoration on a teenager is *usually* pretty straight forward,
but much of it is more like the above example.

Cutting out an old amalgam, remaking a crown, root canals,
and many other dental treatments can turn into big trouble quickly
without the dentist making any mistakes.  Experience, skill, and
education help the dentist reduce the chances for poor results, but
they do not eliminate them.

Dentistry has been very good at 'fixing' teeth for many years.  The
repairs usually last 10-50 years!  When something cannot be restored,
fails after a short length of service, or takes more time, effort,
and money, the patient often is upset and shocked.  "We" have worked
hard to deliver good treatment and make it comfortable and seem to
be "no big deal".  It isn't nearly as easy as it may seem.

D