Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) recently filed a bill named after Sergeant First Class Richard Stayskal to give future soldiers on active duty the right to sue for medical malpractice. Sergeant Stayskal was misdiagnosed with pneumonia, when it was really stage four cancer, causing quite a bit of controversy. The reasons behind this controversy and other […]
Medical Negligence According to the Courts
Envision the following scenario: You’re relaxing with some friends and lamenting the absence of one who hasn’t been doing well, health-wise. Someone talks about how it seems the friend’s condition has gotten worse, rather than better, since they started seeing that new doctor. Another one follows up with a call to “sue the blankety-blank quack.” […]
What is Defensive Medicine and Why Do Doctors Practice it?
Medical malpractice is a serious issue. Period. In fact, medical accidents are believed to be the third leading cause of death in the United States. Because of this staggering number, which has generated thousands of lawsuits per year, many physicians are practicing defensive medicine. Very Well Health describes defensive medicine as a “situation in which […]
Is Nexium The Next Drug Heading For Class Action?
Heartburn is a problem faced by countless Americans, and pharmaceutical companies have taken note. There is a glut of heartburn drugs in the market for both prescription and over-the-counter use. One such drug, Nexium, may be on the proverbial chopping block when it comes to class-action lawsuits. It is part of a class of medications […]
Putting a Price On Your Limbs: Should There Be a Cap on Medical Negligence Settlements?
Imagining life without one body part is hard. Unfortunately, due to medical negligence, Wisconsinite Ascaris Mayo now lives without all four of her limbs. On top of that, the state of Wisconsin only wants to pay her $750,000 for pain and suffering. Medical Negligence Case Dismissed and Discharged Ascaris was incorrectly diagnosed and discharged from […]
All’s Not Lost: Prince’s Family Hoping To Shed Light On Opiate Epidemic
The drama and questions surrounding Prince’s death are far from over. Almost two years to the date, the investigation has closed with no charges being filed. Unsatisfied with this verdict, Prince’s family has decided not to let it stop there. They recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit against UnityPoint Health. The family feels that a […]
Does Nurse Exhaustion Contribute to Medical Errors?
Did you know that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States following cancer and heart disease? According to a John Hopkins study, more than 250,000 people die from medical errors each year. Could overworked nurses be a contributor to some of these terrible hospital accidents? When a person comes […]
Top 7 Largest Medical Malpractice Settlements of the Past Decade
There are some absolutely appalling stories regarding medical malpractice cases. Many cases can be serious, but some are unbelievable. Once you know about these, you may be afraid to ever go under the knife! Below are some of the top seven most serious cases of this past decade: In 2014, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, […]
Top 5 Most Common Medical Malpractice Errors
Even with all the advancement in technology, doctors and nurses still make mistakes. They’re human, after all. Just because you have been injured does not necessarily mean you have a medical malpractice claim. According to NOLO: “In order to meet the legal definition of medical malpractice, the doctor or medical provider must have been negligent […]
Is Failure to Diagnose a Reason for a Medical Malpractice Case?
All doctors have a legal responsibility to care for their patients. Accurately recognizing diseases, diagnosing illnesses and recommending proper treatment is their number one job. Unfortunately, doctors are human and there are times when mistakes are made. Failure to diagnose a disease, a misdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis can cause a patient to suffer a […]