The discussion among politicians concerning a cap on damage awards in cases of medical malpractice, among other things, has prompted the following articles, both written by Michelle Andrews, on the use of mediation in such cases.

From NPR's Health Blog, "Shots": 

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/02/01/133399502/first-let-s-bl...

From The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/31/AR2...