I used to live in Spain, and I remember being shocked when my doctor told me how common it was for people to have the wrong leg or kidney removed there. She was originally American, and implied there was a strong inverse correlation between the cap on malpractice damages and the number of incorrect organs/appendages detached. Honestly, although the American medical system is the pits, it gave me a better opinion of American tort law and made me believe that some of the seemingly superficial lawsuits in this country serve a better purpose of keeping the otherwise wild-west medical system in check.

[edit] just as a side note, I've noticed a strong trend here among people who also never "had a cavity" in another country until they were in the US