A New York mother was awarded $50 million after she sued her obstetrician for injuries she suffered during a 2009 childbirth. In addition to suffering tissue lacerations, the woman was given an unnecessary episiotomy that did not heal correctly. The woman's digestive system was also damaged. There should not have been any complications with her second childbirth.
Read more: Mother sues obstetrician after damage in childbirth
According to a Journal of American Medical Association article, medical malpractice claims an estimated 225,000 lives each year. These incidents can be divided into several groups including:
Read more: The Challenges You Face in Winning a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Most New Yorkers have probably heard the term "informed consent," but they may not be familiar with what it means to their health care. According to the American Medical Association, informed consent means that patients must be given information about a recommended treatment, its benefits and its side effects so they can make an educated choice about their medical care. However, standard practices for informed consent vary among states, and there are competing interests which may leave patients at a disadvantage.
While the odds are low that a given doctor may have a checkered past, it is difficult for New York patients to find out. This is according to findings from Consumer Reports after obtaining a list of all California doctors on probation as of the later portion of 2015. There were 500 doctors on probation at the time, and the offenses ranged from inappropriate sexual conduct with patients to practicing while under the influence.
According to statistics, there are over 24.4 million people in the United States over the age of 40 who are affected by cataracts. 50% of people over the age of 80 have cataracts. The federal government spends $3.4 billion annually for the treatment of this condition through Medicare.
Read more: Cataract Surgery Complications and Medical Malpractice
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