What is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice refers to negligence by a healthcare provider or professional in which treatment that was provided was substandard, and resulted in harm, injury, or death to a patient. The medical malpractice or negligence typically involves a medical error, either in diagnosis of a patient, medical dosage, health management, treatment, or aftercare. The medical malpractice law is a way to provide patients with proper compensation from harms that may have resulted from sub-standard treatment from a medical professional. Below are some common questions and answers regarding medical malpractice lawsuits: Is Medical Malpractice Common? Unfortunately, medical malpractice is very prevalent in today’s society; diagnosis errors alone cause up to 160,000 deaths annually in the U.S. According to Johns Hopkins researchers, as reported in BMJ Quality and Safety, diagnostic errors are the most dangerous and expensive mistakes American doctors make, estimated to cause between 80,000-160,000 deaths every year. According to Health Affairs, nearly one in every three that is hospitalized in the U.S. is susceptible to encountering a hospital error. What Are Some Hospital Errors to Look Out For? Providing a patient the wrong dosage of medicine Giving a patient the wrong medication Leaving things inside a patient’s body following surgery Misdiagnosis Staph infections Pressure ulcers (bedsores) What Characteristics Should My Claim Have in Order for Malpractice to be considered? Failure to provide proper care Injury resulting from consequence of negligence Very damaging consequences due to injury What are the Elements in a Malpractice Case? The Plaintiff – this is the patient, or a legally designated person who acts on the patient’s behalf The Defendant – this is the party that...Nursing Home Abuse
Millions of elders living in nursing homes are victims of abuse every year and are not even aware of it. Elder abuse in nursing homes can be difficult to detect and it is not uncommon for cases to go unreported. Though many elderly residents in nursing homes are treated well and cared for in the manner in which they should be, abuse still continues and is much more prevalent that people wish to believe. Nursing home abuse is something that should definitely be of concern; seniors who have been abused have a 300% greater chance of death in the 3 years following the abuse than those who are not abused. Statistics show that nearly 1 in 6 nursing home residents are the victims of abuse or neglect every year, and although legislatures in all 50 states have passed anti-elder-abuse laws, nursing home abuse continues to occur. Nursing home abuse can include any of the following: Physical abuse – may be intentional such as hitting or pinching, or it may be due to neglect including overuse of restraints and lack of physical care Psychological abuse – this may be harder to identify, but it includes yelling, criticizing, humiliating or shaming of the patient. Sexual abuse – any unwanted sexual attention or exploitation Financial exploitation – may include taking advantage of access to patient’s financial matters, stealing, or otherwise compromising a patient’s financial status. Neglect – often times may be unintentional and a result of inadequate staffing, but nevertheless it is considered to be abusive. Instances of neglect may include, personal hygiene care not being met, not provided with food, clothing,...Tips For Staying Safe At Work
Regardless of what your job may be, staying safe at work should be a priority in everyone’s minds. In order to make the most out of your job and work life, it is important to reduce your risk of injury and illness at work. Below are some tips to help you stay safe at work: Understand the risks! If you know and understand the particular hazards of your job or workplace, you can take the necessary precautions to reduce your risk of work-related injuries or illness. Reduce your stress: Although this may be hard, reducing your stress level at work can help in many ways. Common causes of stress may include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity, or conflicts with coworkers and bosses. Stress can ultimately lead to depression, sleeping difficulties and problems concentrating. Take regular breaks: Taking small breaks in between long hours of work and concentration can help you to stay fresh and alert and in turn allow you to avoid injury or burning out. Schedule your most difficult tasks when your concentration is at its best, such as the first thing in the morning. Protect your back: If you are required to pick up and carry heavy loads, keep the load close to your body and left with your thigh muscles to help avoid injury. Know your workplace rights: There are many organizations that can offer you information and advice on workplace safety issues. Learn more at https://www.osha.gov/ Contact Us: If you or someone you know has been injured on the job, it is important to know your rights. Speak with one of our experienced attorney’s...Travel Safety During the Holidays
With holidays coming up, many of us will be traveling to visit our friends and family. Traveling during the holidays can definitely take its toll; with all the hustle and bustle mixed with thousands of people traveling through airports it is not usually a relaxing time. Below are 3 golden rules everyone should remember when traveling via airplane: The Flat Tire Rule: The “flat tire rule” gives check-in agents flexibility to accommodate passengers who may have missed their flight due to any traffic or road issues one may have encountered on the way to the airport. Although many airlines will accommodate, it is still in your best interest to contact your airline provider immediately as soon as you know things are not going well. Stay Connected: Download the latest travel apps before leaving home and constantly check on your flight status. This will give you real-time updates on any delays, baggage numbers and more. Pack Light: If at all possible, avoid checking bags altogether. This way you will avoid having to wait for your luggage and won’t have to worry about losing your luggage. Pack Snacks: You never know how long you will actually be on an airplane – delays can definitely get the best of us. Pack snacks so you and your stomach will be fueled and ready to take on your travel adventure! Ship Gifts: TSA suggests to ship your wrapped gifts or wait until you have reached your destination to wrap them as they may have to unwrap a present to inspect it. Check out the full article here. Contact us: If you face any issues...Have a question? Give us a call.
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