Updates and Insights
- Intubation Errors and Medical Malpractice
Sep 3, 2016
Understanding Intubation Errors and Related Injuries in New Jersey Ideally, anesthesiologists administer safe and effective drugs to patients prior to undergoing serious surgical procedures. Unfortunately, intubation errors and anesthesia errors may occur in a variety of situations, despite assumptions that complications are isolated to hospital surgeries. For example, these errors may also occur in urgent care facilities, dentist’s offices, or surgery centers. Although relatively commonplace, the use of intubation can lead to profound complications and permanent harm...Read More - The Risks of Double-Booked Surgery
Aug 28, 2016
The possibility of surgery, especially the potential for errors during surgery, can be stressful and daunting. Risks may be present, even for minor surgery. A patient normally puts his/her faith in a surgeon, believing that person to be trustworthy and completely focused on them during the surgery. Although a reasonable expectation, that may not always be the case. It is possible that the surgeon supervising your procedure could be operating on another patient, during your...Read More - CDC Issues Guidelines for Treating Infants with Zika Virus
Aug 20, 2016
As the Zika virus continues to proliferate, generating alarm among the international community, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new guidelines for pediatricians and other medical professionals who are treating infants diagnosed with Zika virus. What is Zika Virus? The Zika virus is spread primarily through infected mosquitoes. It drew international attention and concern when children born with congenital Zika virus began to develop serious conditions such as microcephaly, hearing,...Read More - CDC Puts $26 Million Toward Patient Safety Research to Prevent Hospital Infection
Aug 12, 2016
Recently, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) committed $26 million to new research aimed at preventing hospital infections and improving patient safety in medical settings throughout the country. This initiative, known as the Prevention Epicenters Program, will be spearheaded by five major academic medical centers between 2016 and 2020. The goal of the research is to craft and experiment with innovative approaches to improving patient safety, with a particular focus on the prevention...Read More - Pregnant Woman Dies After Brain Injury at Hospital
Aug 4, 2016
The brain relies on adequate oxygen supply in order to function properly, responding almost immediately to oxygen depletion. Failure to promptly recognize and correct impediments to adequate oxygen delivery can result in catastrophic consequences, including severe brain injuries and even death. Within 15 seconds, lack of oxygen leads to loss of consciousness, while brain damage begins if the brain is deprived of oxygen for approximately 4 minutes, and a person can be deemed “brain dead”...Read More - Failure to Diagnose Infection Leads to Paralysis, $4.25 Million Verdict in Medical Malpractice Case
Jul 28, 2016
An Indiana man was recently awarded $4.25 million in damages in a medical malpractice case that began over 10 years ago, when he was paralyzed below the waist due to medical professionals’ failure to diagnose and treat an infection. The victim in this case, Robert Lehman, sought treatment at the Dunlap Urgent Care Center in 2005, after sustaining a workplace injury. During his initial visit, Lehman was given a shot, written a prescription, and told he could resume work...Read More - New York Hospital Combats Medical Errors with Video Surveillance
Jul 22, 2016
When you take a look at medical errors in the United States, the numbers are astounding. According to the Journal of Patient Safety, medical errors result in approximately 400,000 deaths each year. So, what to do? How can hospitals and the medical professionals who work within them prevent these errors and their devastating results? One hospital in New York is leveraging technology, specifically video surveillance, to monitor and improve patient care in an effort to cut...Read More - Court Awards $53 Million to Boy Born with Brain Injury after Fetal Distress
Jul 15, 2016
Following a month-long medical malpractice trial, a jury recently awarded $53 million to a young boy who suffered a hypoxic brain injury after physicians failed to recognize and treat fetal distress during his delivery. Tragically, cases like this occur all too often. The trajectory of events proceeds something like this: a mother enters the hospital, her baby demonstrates signs of fetal distress, doctors fail to recognize the symptoms of fetal distress and in turn, fail to order...Read More - Hospital and Medical Device Manufacturer Facing Lawsuits After Man Dies of Bacterial Infection
Jul 8, 2016
Bacterial infections can occur in hospitals for many reasons, including because of errors during surgery, misuse of medical tools, or defective medical devices. For example, a medical device manufacturer and a Pennsylvania hospital are facing multiple lawsuits after two patients contracted a bacterial infection following open-heart surgery, one of whom tragically died as a result. If you or a loved one contracted an infection while in the hospital, during a surgery or medical procedure, after...Read More - Opioid Abuse, Prescription Negligence, and Medical Malpractice in New Jersey
Jun 17, 2016
Prescription medications have changed our lives for the better in so many ways, curing illness, fighting infection, managing symptoms, and alleviating pain. However, many of these powerful pharmaceuticals also present a significant threat of abuse, taking hold in our society and claiming thousands of lives every year. The death of high-profile people and celebrities due to prescription overdose has catapulted this issue into the public discourse; however, the incidence of abuse and death due to pharmaceuticals has...Read More