The future of recorded surgical procedures
Although negative outcomes can be among the risks one faces during surgery, most patients expect to survive their procedures without serious or fatal results. Still, some patients may worry about these risks as they prepare. New York legislators have proposed a bill requiring the presence of cameras in operating rooms based on the case of a 19-year-old woman who experienced both respiratory and cardiac arrest after anesthesia errors occurred. A similar bill has been proposed in Wisconsin because of an anesthesia error that led to the death of a 38-year-old woman.
Maternal death rate on the rise
It might be nerve-racking for pregnant women in New York to know that the maternal mortality rate in the United States has increased since 1990. In every 100 live births prior to the 1930s, almost one woman died from related complications. This rate had steadily declined by 1987 to fewer than eight maternal deaths out of 100,000 births. Between 1990 and 2013, however, 18.5 women out of 100,000 giving birth died.
Do I have a Valid Medical Malpractice Case?
If you think that you or a loved one has been the victim of negligence by a physician, you may claim compensation for your losses and suffering by filing a medical malpractice case. By nature, a medical malpractice case is complicated and time-consuming.
What do I have to Prove in a Medical Malpractice Case?
Medical malpractice lawsuits can stretch on for days on end if you don’t have all the pieces of evidence-documents, testimonials, medical reports, and the bills-ready and strung together in a watertight case. Knowing what you have to prove in a case helps you gather relevant evidence and improves your chances of obtaining a desirable outcome.
What to Include in the Documents Dossier for Your Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, you might want to discuss the incident with a qualified attorney who can put together a convincing case and improve your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve. But before you head to the attorney’s office, here’s a list of documents that you should ideally carry to help him judge the merit of your case and provide sound advice:
What Damages can I Claim in a Medical Malpractice Case?
If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, you know how life turns upside down after the incident. The repercussions are wide-ranging. Your health is affected adversely. The quality of your life decreases. You are emotionally upset. Even your work life can suffer.
What is Informed Consent in a Medical Malpractice Case?
If you (God forbid!) have to file a medical malpractice case, you will have to make your way through a maze of legal jargon. “Informed consent” is one phrase that will crop up occasionally. Know what it means to figure out if you have a medical malpractice case at all. This will save you many trips to the attorney’s office.
Defining "Vicarious Liability" in the Field of Medical Malpractice
If you have been the victim of medical malpractice, it helps to know the meaning and implications of certain legal jargon, like “vicarious liability.” Knowing about this term will help you figure out whom to sue for damages, so all liable parties are brought to book and your chances of claiming compensation for your losses and suffering improve.
What is "Standard of Care" in the Medical Malpractice Arena
Medical malpractice cases rest on the premise of “standard of care.” If you have been a victim of an incident of medical malpractice, you will have to prove that a medical professional treating you has breached the norms of standard of care to prove the validity of your case and claim damages. You should know the meaning of the phrase, its implications, the instances when standard of care is deemed to have been breached, and the exceptions to the norm.
Patient vigilance could help prevent doctor errors
Although patients in New York rely on the expertise of their doctors and other health care providers, they should still take steps to protect themselves from medical mistakes. Researchers consistently find that misdiagnosis is the leading category of medical error.