Medical mistakes are the third leading cause of death in the United States. They result in over 250,000 deaths and even more injuries every year. Reasons for medical malpractice claims vary from surgical mistakes to incorrect diagnoses. Trusting your health and life to a doctor who has a history of medical malpractice may be …
How Long Can You Sue for Medical Malpractice in Alabama?
In Alabama, the statute of limitations on most medical malpractice claims is two years from the date on which the injury occurred or that the claimant knew or reasonably should have known that they were injured. However, there are certain circumstances that can result in an extension of the deadline. If you have been injured …
When Can Patients Sue a Hospital for Negligence?
Every day, patients and their families place their lives in the hands of doctors, nurses, residents, and other care professionals, trusting that they will care for them and restore them to good health. However, healthcare professionals at times make careless mistakes that may cause injuries, and sometimes death, to patients. If you or anyone close …
What Evidence Is Important in a Medical Malpractice Case?
Medical malpractice cases are notoriously difficult to win. Even if the plaintiff was in fact a victim of medical negligence, it is not always easy to prove that negligence occurred. The medical record is a vital piece of evidence in a medical malpractice case; however, this record is often missing important information. Sometimes parts of …
4 Surgical Mistakes that Constitute Medical Malpractice
Surgeons undergo many years of extensive training, and medical advancements have reduced the risk of complications. However, surgeons are only human, and they make mistakes just like anyone else. The reality, though, is that a surgical mistake can have devastating consequences. Common examples of surgical errors include: Leaving a surgical tool inside a patient’s body; …
4 Steps to Take If You Were a Victim of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice takes many forms – from surgical errors to birth injuries and misdiagnosis. If you were injured by a negligent doctor, nurse or pharmacist, then you may be entitled to compensation for health-care expenses, lost wages and other damages. If you intend to file a medical malpractice claim, it is important that you contact …
My Pharmacist Gave Me the Wrong Medication
It’s easy to associate medical malpractice with surgical horror stories, but any mistake during the treatment process can harm a patient. For example, a medication error can cause permanent cognitive or physical disabilities due to drug interactions, allergies and adverse side effects. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, pharmaceutical errors kill at least …
My Family Member Died Due to a Medical Mistake
Nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals have a duty to provide patients with competent care. If a medical worker causes an injury to a patient or causes an existing condition to worsen due to substandard or negligent care, the victim will have grounds for a medical malpractice claim. If the patient dies, then a surviving …
How to Avoid the Most Common Prescription Errors
Pharmacists must complete years of training before they can enter their profession. Unfortunately, prescription errors still happen – and they kill 7,000 people each year. Patients who are lucky enough to survive often suffer physical or cognitive problems due to adverse side effects and drug interactions. Although there are several factors that can lead to …
5 Common Forms of Medical Malpractice, and How to Reduce Your Risk
You may have heard horror stories about botched surgeries, prescription errors and birth injuries, and many people assume that these mistakes are exceedingly rare. However, a recent study from Johns Hopkins University shows that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. JHU researchers discovered that more than 700 people …
Successful Appeal Highlights Importance of Prompt Action in Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice is a complicated branch of personal-injury law. Making a successful claim requires extensive evidence in the form of expert testimonies, an independent medical evaluation, doctors’ records and other documentation. Providing sufficient evidence, however, is just one piece of the puzzle. You must also file the claim within the statute of limitations. In Louisiana, …
Legal Process: Medical Malpractice Claims
Medical malpractice has far-reaching consequences. The victim may suffer chronic pain, a lifelong disability and loss of enjoyment of life. If the patient cannot return to work, then his or her family could face overwhelming debt. Unfortunately, medical negligence is a widespread problem. In fact, a Johns Hopkins University study found that medical errors cause …
How do I Know If a Nursing Home Is Safe?
Choosing a safe, comfortable nursing home for your loved one is a complicated endeavor. In addition to obvious factors such as affordability and location, it is also important to evaluate the facility for signs of abuse and neglect. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, nursing home abuse affects up to 10 percent of …
Louisiana Medical Malpractice: 5 Steps to Take
Medical errors kill more than 250,000 people every year, according to a study by Johns Hopkins University. Thousands more patients suffer injuries or illnesses due to medical mistakes. According to Forbes, medical malpractice in the United States costs approximately $55.6 billion per year. If you, your child or a family member was injured by a …
Lafayette Personal-Injury Lawyer Discusses Medical Malpractice during Emergency Medical Treatment
If you are in a serious car accident in Louisiana, there is a good chance that emergency medical technicians will attend the scene. Although these health-care professionals often provide life-saving treatment, they sometimes make mistakes that cause severe medical complications or death. There are unique rules that apply to first responders and emergency medical staff. …
Gulfport Injury Attorney Discusses 5 Steps to Take If You Were a Victim of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can take many forms. Surgical errors, misdiagnosis, birth injuries and prescription mistakes are common examples, but malpractice can happen at any stage of the treatment process. A health-care worker’s negligence can have dire consequences for patients. Medical malpractice may cause the amputation of healthy limbs, death due to anesthesia overdose, and a long …
4 Ways You Can Reduce Medical Malpractice Risk
Tips from a Monroe Personal Injury Attorney The United States is home to one of the world’s most advanced health-care systems. Although most doctors and medical professionals are well qualified, medical malpractice still contributes to a significant number of injuries and deaths. Medical malpractice is more common than many people realize. According to Forbes, victims …
Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer: 6 Reasons Doctors Make Surgical Errors
Surgical errors can cause infections and permanent medical complications. Despite advancements in medical technology, surgical mistakes still lead to serious injuries and even death. Common reasons for these errors include: Insufficient planning Incompetence Poor communication among hospital staff Fatigue Neglect Alcohol or drug use by the surgeon Just because an operation was unsuccessful does not …
Montgomery Personal Injury Attorney Discusses 4 Surgical Errors that May Constitute Medical Malpractice
Surgery is a specialized and intricate process. A small oversight can lead to a potentially fatal complication. According to WebMD, there are more than 4,000 preventable errors during surgery each year, and these cost more than $1.3 billion in medical malpractice payouts. Victims often face lifelong disabilities. Some cannot return to work and require ongoing …
Lafayette Personal-Injury Lawyer Discusses 5 Common Examples of Medical Malpractice
Patients rely on doctors, nurses and other medical staff to provide competent treatment. Unfortunately, health-care providers often make mistakes that can cause existing medical conditions to worsen or create new illnesses or injuries. If a medical professional’s negligence injures a patient, then that patient may be able to recover compensation for medical bills, lost income …
Medication Errors and Medical Malpractice
Modern pharmaceuticals save countless lives, but a minor oversight in the prescription, administration or dosage of medication can be fatal. If you or a loved one was the victim of a medication mistake, then you may be entitled to compensation for health-care bills, lost income and other damages. Medical malpractice is a notoriously complex area …