Medical Malpractice
Early Discharge of Patients Can Be Medical Malpractice
Doctors spend several years training for their medical specialty, meaning patients trust and depend on them to make the right decisions regarding their health. However, discharging patients too soon is a common mistake made by doctors, which can also be considered medical malpractice. Whether you travel to a top-ranking medical facility in Washington, DC for…
Read MorePregnancy and Pulmonary Embolism: What You Need to Know
Complications during labor and delivery can arise at any time, affecting both the mother and the baby. One of the most serious complications that may occur is a pulmonary embolism, which can cause life-long problems or even death. It is usually the medical provider’s responsibility to detect, diagnose, and treat pulmonary embolisms as quickly as…
Read MoreIs It Hard to Sue a Washington, D.C. Hospital for Medical Malpractice?
Suing a hospital for medical malpractice can be very difficult in Washington, D.C. These types of lawsuits usually involve complicated facts, details, and legal issues, which must all be addressed appropriately. In addition, hospitals and their insurance companies are known to put up a fierce defense, often resulting in lengthy and drawn-out trials. However, with…
Read MoreIs “Over-Diagnosing” Cancer an Act of Medical Malpractice?
Most people believe that the earlier cancer is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can begin, which is generally a win-win situation. However, some experts say aggressive treatment of breast cancer in women over 75 might not necessarily be the right option. According to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, “[o]verdiagnosis is increasingly…
Read MoreWe Need Better Follow-up Care for New Mothers
Having a baby is a miraculous and joyful event. However, lack of sleep, fatigue, breastfeeding difficulties, stress, new or aggravated emotional disorders, and urinary incontinence are often also present and must be addressed. Postpartum care for women and infants—with services and support fitted to each mother’s individual needs—is essential for the welfare of the family.…
Read MoreWashington, DC Is #4 for Fetal Deaths
For the past 15 years, fetal deaths, also known as stillbirths, have declined in the United States. However, stillbirths in the District of Columbia have exceeded the national average for the last 10+ years. According to the 2022 DC Health Infant Mortality Report, non-Hispanic Black babies were three to five times more likely to die in…
Read MoreWhat Are the Four “D”s of Medical Malpractice?
The four “D”s of medical malpractice are: Duty, Deviation from standard of care, Damages, and Direct cause. All four of these elements are legally required and must be established in order to file a medical malpractice claim and pursue damages successfully. If you’re unsure if your experiences fit within these boundaries, the best thing you…
Read MoreHow Long Do You Have to Sue for Medical Malpractice in Washington, DC?
Victims of medical malpractice can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for the harms they have suffered. To do so, they must file within a certain time frame, known as the statute of limitations. These statutes can change based on where you file and what type of case you have. You have three years to…
Read MoreMedical Malpractice and Telemedicine
Telemedicine is a helpful tool, especially for folks who live in rural and remote areas, or who cannot afford to take a day off work to visit a doctor’s office. Telemedicine can also be beneficial to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals as they do not have to come into direct contact with so many…
Read MoreHow Long Do Medical Malpractice Cases Take in Washington, D.C?
If you suffered harm because of an act of medical negligence, the first question you likely have is, “how long do medical malpractice cases take?” This is a natural question as you may need help paying your medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost income. However, you must keep in mind that every person’s medical malpractice…
Read MoreMedical Malpractice, Hypertension, and Preeclampsia
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is an extremely common health condition that can be deadly. It is also a risk factor and symptom of preeclampsia, a serious medical condition often experienced by pregnant women. Despite how common hypertension is, it should be always taken seriously. It is something that your medical team should check for…
Read MoreDangerous Mistakes Tripled in Maryland Hospitals
In the realm of healthcare, trust is the cornerstone upon which every successful patient-provider relationship is built. We rely on hospitals to be sanctuaries of healing, places where expertise and compassion converge. However, recent revelations about patient safety in Maryland have cast a sobering light on the state of affairs within its hospitals. Between 2019…
Read MoreWhich Surgical Procedures Are the Most Dangerous?
It is common for individuals who are rushed to the hospital to find out that they need immediate surgery. While they may think that this means that they will soon be on the mend, it is important to also realize that every surgical procedure carries risks. Some of these risks include blood clots, anesthesia, bleeding…
Read MoreStrokes Change Lives Entirely
Strokes are life-threatening and dangerous conditions that can change a person’s entire life within minutes. Patients who survive the stroke are likely to require long-term, potentially life-long, care. But it is not only their lives which are affected; the lives of their loved ones can change permanently, too. The American Stroke Association describes a stroke…
Read MoreWhat are the Most Common Types of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses, or hospitals, fail to meet the standard of care expected in the medical profession, resulting in harm or injury to patients. These cases can be complex, often involving issues of negligence, misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, and more. A study in BMJ estimates that hospital errors…
Read MoreWhat is the Difference Between Medical Malpractice and Medical Battery?
The primary difference between medical malpractice and medical battery lies in the nature of a healthcare provider’s actions. Medical malpractice involves negligence or a failure to meet the standard of care, while medical battery involves intentional and unauthorized physical contact or procedures performed on a patient without their consent. Both types of claims can result…
Read MoreWhat Are the Most Common Types of Hospital Acquired Infections?
When a patient becomes ill with an infection after having been admitted to the hospital for the treatment of an unrelated condition (or within three days of being discharged, and with no existing signs of infection, it can be said to be a hospital-acquired, or nosocomial infection. Healthcare-associated infections are preventable and they represent a…
Read MoreCancer Risk Is Increasing for Younger People
While some cancers do not discriminate, certain lifestyle choices can increase the risk of cancer. For instance, we all know that smoking increases the risk of lung, throat, and mouth cancer. A recent study has highlighted a concerning trend of rising cancer rates among younger Americans, especially women, with gastrointestinal, endocrine, and breast cancers showing…
Read MoreWhat If Doctors Are Thinking About Cancer Treatment All Wrong?
When you receive a cancer diagnosis, you most likely begin thinking about the worst-case scenarios. You are not alone; there are few things more frightening than a cancer diagnosis – except, perhaps, a misdiagnosis. So if you are like most people, you may seek a second opinion to see if a different doctor may have…
Read MorePostpartum Hemorrhage Is a Life-Threatening Condition
The postpartum period, following labor and delivery, is a crucial time that requires careful attention and proper medical care for both newborns and mothers. Unfortunately, when healthcare providers neglect their responsibilities in providing adequate postpartum care, the consequences can be severe. Mothers and their newborns may suffer from serious illnesses or injuries, including the risk…
Read MorePostpartum Psychosis Is Rare, but Life-Threatening
Early into the evening on January 24th, it was reported a 32-year-old woman strangled and killed all three of their children in the basement of her and her husband’s home. The woman was also found injured in their backyard after jumping out of a second-story window in an attempt to commit suicide. She had allegedly…
Read MoreThe Role of Informed Consent in Medical Malpractice Cases
Informed consent is a fundamental principle of patient care. It refers to the process by which a patient is provided with information about a proposed medical treatment or procedure – including risks, benefits, and alternatives – and allows them to make an informed decision about whether to proceed. Informed consent is a legal requirement in…
Read MoreWoman Goes Viral on Social Media After Life-Threatening Misdiagnosis
An Ohio woman named Amanda Buschelman went viral in February on TikTok after telling a story of a visit to her local hospital – leading to a life-threatening misdiagnosis. Buschelman, who is now recovering at home, told viewers the harrowing story of how her case of appendicitis was dismissed as an ovarian cyst, and she…
Read MoreEx-NFL Player Awarded $43.5 Million for Medical Malpractice
On February 13, a jury awarded former Philadelphia Eagles player Chris Maragos $43.5 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit related to treatment for a knee injury that resulted in further, career-ending injuries. Maragos alleged both orthopedic surgeon James Bradley and Rothman Orthopaedics ignored damage to his meniscus while repairing a ligament in his right knee, causing…
Read MoreSurgical Errors and Nerve Damage
When we go to the hospital or to our doctor, we trust that we are in good hands. These professionals have to go through years of education and training to be where they are now, and they are the only people the public really has available to treat us for our injuries and maladies. Most…
Read More