Illinois widower awarded $5.3 million for improper treatment

Posted on August 27th, 2010 No Comments

The widower of an Illinois woman who died of a stroke at age 24 was awarded $5.3 million in an improper treatment medical malpractice case against Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, Illinois.

Chris Medina claimed that doctors at the hospital failed to properly test and treat his late wife when she came to the hospital on December 10th, 2006.  Samantha Medina went to the hospital suffering from a severe headache and numbness on the right side of her body.  Doctors failed to diagnose or treat her for a stroke and she passed away on December 27th.

The settlement will be payed by Winfield Radiology Consultants, Neuromed Clinic, LLC, and Central DuPage Hospital.

Injured L.A. teenager awarded $5.5 million

Posted on August 23rd, 2010 No Comments

Los Angeles County has approved a medical malpractice settlement of $5.5 million to help care for a Redondo Beach cheerleader who fell during a stunt.

The 15-year-old girl was injured during a cheerleading performance and taken to County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center immediately after, where she was treated for brain bleeding. After five days of treatment, she was released, but returned the next morning with massive brain damage, paralysis, and retardation.

According to the suit, she will need constant care for the rest of her life. While the county has agreed to pay the settlement, the terms of the settlement absolve the county from liability or fault.

Hospital appeals $56 million medical malpractice suit

Posted on August 20th, 2010 No Comments

A family sued the Northern Westchester Hospital four years ago in a medical malpractice suit that alleged that the hospital was responsible for the complications during the birth of their son.

Now, the hospital is appealing the court decision to award the family $56 million because officials from the hospital said that the there was no wrong doing.

The case began when the woman went into labor at the hospital and the doctors realized that they were dealing with shoulder dystocia, which is when the child’s shoulder is trapped in the mother’s pubic bones. The staff delivered the baby but not before the child suffered brain damage, nerve damage, internal bleeding and external bruising.

The court decided with the family and said that the doctors did not deal with the shoulder dystocia in a timely manner and awarded the family $56 million. The hospital is fighting to appeal this decision.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a medical malpractice case, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers of levinson and axlerod by calling 800-346-5529

Troubled Abortion Clinic Doctor/Owner Faces Shutdown in Pennsylvania

Posted on July 26th, 2010 No Comments

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, “Steven Chase Brigham, a physician whose medical license has been revoked, relinquished, or temporarily suspended in five states, is now facing regulatory and tax troubles that could jeopardize his chain of 15 abortion clinics.”

The state of Pennsylvania’s health department has ordered a shutdown of all Brigham’s clinics. They say he has repeatedly employed people without licenses. Brigham plans to fight this order.

He also has the IRS after him. They have $234,536 in liens against him currently. Brigham has previously been accused of performing unsafe procedures, employing a woman as a nurse who did not have a nursing license, and not filing state taxes. He has lost his license on several occasions.

Medical malpractice can leave you seriously injured. If you or someone you know has been a victim of medical malpractice, contact your New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Levinson Axelrod, P.A., by dialing 1-800-34-NJ-LAW.

New Jersey Low in Rankings for Doctor Discipline

Posted on July 19th, 2010 No Comments

According to The Press of Atlantic City, the state of New Jersey ranks 40th in terms of disciplinary action taken after receiving complaints to the medical board. The Press reports that the board took no action for 93 percent of complaints last year.

“That board fielded 1,017 complaints against some of New Jersey’s approximately 33,000 licensed doctors. This resulted in 24 license revocations or voluntary surrenders and 45 temporary license suspensions, considered the most serious sanctions against physicians,” writes The Press of Atlantic City.

This forces patients to file lawsuits. Oftentimes it is because of a medical malpractice lawsuit that a doctor is required to take a refresher course. The board’s lack of disciplinary action also leaves it up to malpractice suits to affect physicians’ licenses.

There is also a general concern that even more complaints would be filed if doctors and hospitals were not so concerned with protecting each other. Doctors often observe each others’ mistakes but have no incentive to report the malpractice.

Medical malpractice is a serious offense. If you or someone you know has suffered as a result of malpractice, contact your New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Levinson Axelrod, P.A., by dialing 1-800-34-NJ-LAW.

Washington Supreme Court Rules Notice Requirement Unconstitutional

Posted on July 2nd, 2010 No Comments

In a 6-3 vote, the Washington State Supreme Court determined that a rule requiring 90-days notice to doctors for a malpractice suit was unconstitutional. Seattle PI reports that the court’s decision, “said the waiting period violates the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches of government.”

The 90-day requirement was implemented by the legislature to allow for a settlement process, instead of the case going straight to court.

The court, according to Seattle PI, says, “The courts already have procedural rules for filing civil suits, and adding a 90-day notice ‘conflicts with the judiciary’s power to set court procedures,’”

Seattle PI reports that the court threw out another reform last September. “The court said a law requiring injured patients to get a certificate of merit from an expert before suing violated separation of powers doctrine and unduly burdened the right of access to courts,” writes Seattle PI author, Curt Woodward.

Medical Malpractice is a serious offense. If you or someone you know has been a victim of medical malpractice, call the New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at 800-346-5529.

Los Angeles Sisters Accused of Practicing Medicine Without License

Posted on July 1st, 2010 No Comments

Fox News reports that Los Angeles police have arrested two sisters for allegedly practicing medicine without a license. According to Fox, police say the sisters, Guadalupe and Alejandra Viveros, were running a cosmetic fillers business.

The two are held on charges of practicing medicine without a license, and bail has been set at $20,000. Several victims told police when they began suffering from complications following the procedures.

Fox News writes that, “In some cases, police say the fillers hardened into solid plastic and the patients developed infections.”

Guadalupe Vivero claims to be a physician in Mexico, but is still not licensed to practice in the United States.

Medical Malpractice is a serious crime and can severely affect its victims. If you or someone you  know has been a victim of medical malpractice, call the New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at Levinson Axelrod, P.A., by dialing 800-346-5529.

Can damages be recovered in a medical malpractice case when a patient dies?

Posted on June 24th, 2010 No Comments

Two sisters were arrested for practicing medicine without a license in Los Angeles. According to police reports, the two women were allegedly running an illegal cosmetic fillers business.

The women were arrested after a number of people became ill from filler injections. One of the women allegedly claimed to be a doctor in Mexico.

If you or anyone you know has questions about a medical malpractice case, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A., at 800-346-5529.

Statute of Limitations for New Jersey medical malpractice

Posted on June 24th, 2010 No Comments

The Statute of Limitations is the period of time within which a patient can file a medical malpractice suit. The Statute of Limitations in New Jersey is 2 years after the injury or disease occurred.

In other words, patients who believe they have a medical malpractice case may be required to file it within 2 years. In some cases, patients may file their case after the 2 year deadline. These cases typically involve injuries or diseases that were not discovered until a later date.

If you or anyone you know has questions about a medical malpractice case, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A., at 800-346-5529.

How to obtain information about your doctor

Posted on June 17th, 2010 No Comments

When patients believe they have possible medical malpractice cases, they may want to obtain information about their doctor. While a complete history of a doctor’s medical history may not be available, there are a number of sources to obtain some information.

One useful source is the State Board of Medical Examiner. This source may provide information if the doctor has been convicted of medical malpractice.

Patients may also be able to find information on the Internet. However, information online may not be reliable or relevant for court.

If you or anyone you know has considered filing a medical malpractice case, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A., at 800-346-5529.

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