not sure if this has been suggested yet, but i remember suggesting this with the xp penalty thread.
Put a freaking timer on the touch of D.. (Sp?). Let it run itself out, so people arent screwed out of looting chests if theyre helpess and not completely worthless the rest of the quest.
I'm sorry the "don't die" response is mad dm BS.
I see adding a timer as the perfect compromise.