I think Jeff is leaving a little too much room for reading between the lines on the "Someone must be to blame" statements. It is the natural reaction to seek accountability in these situations. I choose to read the underlying message as acknowledging this desire for accountability while understanding that there is not always someone to blame. Without knowing more about the case and its outcome I don't think we can pass judgment on whether this is a case of out of control American litigation, outright negligence and malpractice, or somewhere in between. It is a subtle message especially if English is not the reader's first language. Lacking more information, the message isn't about judgment and blame but rather about the human condition.