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Adventist to Pay $5.4 Million

Doug / 03-20-2015 / Legal Procedures

Adventist Health, the parent company of Florida Hospital has agreed to pay $5.4 million to the United States government to settle claims involving improper procedures in their Radiological Oncology services. Patients with Medicare and Tricare were treated without proper supervision by a qualified health professional, according to an article in the Orlando Sentinel. This settlement […]

Doug / 01-28-2014 / Consumer Safety

Modern society has grown to embrace advances in technology, especially as of late technology that makes every day life more convenient. Among these new conveniences, is the growingly popular laser hair removal technology that is sparking interest by non-physicians. Laser hair removal has recently become more and more advertised on Tv, the radio and flyers, […]

Doug / 10-25-2013 / Medical Malpractice

Recent studies link the drug Risperdal to a condition called Gynecomastia, a non-cancerous breast tissue growth, developing in young men. The drug increases levels of prolactin, a hormone that the body releases to stimulate breast growth and the production of milk. In instances surgery is required to correct the condition. Though this condition is non-life […]

Doug / 09-10-2013 / Dangerous

It’s become increasingly common to hear reports of medical professionals making mistakes. Mistakes ranging from administering medication that a patient happens to be highly allergic to, misdiagnosing condition, or in fatal cases making mistakes that lead to a patient’s death due to human error. These mistakes fall into an area of the law called medical […]

Doug / 09-05-2013 / Insurance Claim Disputes

Opponents of patients’ right praise Texas’ tort reform as a model for other state’s of success. In 2003 Texas medical liability reforms were enacted to reduce exodus of doctors from the state due to high medical liability insurance costs. In hopes of avoiding a reduction in the quality of health care in the state, caps […]

Doug / 08-16-2013 / Medical Malpractice

According to the Orlando Sentinel, a woman went into the Halifax Hospital Medical Center in Daytona Beach last month for surgery on her left leg. However, when she woke up after surgery, she discovered that the surgeon operated on her right leg. Not the ideal way to spend the 4th of July holiday weekend, when […]

Doug / 05-08-2013 / Medical Malpractice

There are many in the community who will say that medical malpractice lawsuits harm the practice of medicine. They claim that unworthy lawsuits increase the price of malpractice insurance and increase the cost of medical services as a result. They also claim that these high fees are driving people away from becoming doctors. While there […]

Doug / 04-22-2013 / Medical Malpractice

Cyanosis is the appearance of blue, purple, or darkening of the skin or mucous membranes when someone isn’t receiving enough oxygen in their blood. Cyanosis is the result of exposure to extreme cold, arterial or venous obstruction, reduced cardiac output, or even potential heart failure. When signs of cyanosis appear, they should be addressed immediately, as the person showing […]

Doug / 03-16-2012 / Dangerous

The video above is the first of a two-part documentary featuring an 18-year-old girl who suffers from the brachial plexus injury (BPI) known as Erb’s palsy in her left arm. This video gives viewers an idea of what it is like to live with Erb’s palsy and the effects the condition has on victims. Erb’s […]

Doug / 03-12-2012 / Consumer Safety

The Florida House of Representatives passed a $15 million claims bill on March 5, 2012, for a 14-year-old boy to compensate him for permanent injuries he suffered at birth. The Senate passed the bill two days later, sending it to the desk of Governor Rick Scott. According to WZVN-TV, a jury awarded the boy and […]

Doug / 02-24-2012 / Consumer Safety

Pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to the public to ensure that their medications are safe for the public. They must warn people of all known associated risks and side effects. This applies to both prescription medications and over-the-counter medications. Drugs do get manufactured with defects, and it is more common than anyone would like to […]

Doug / 01-20-2012 / Consumer Safety

According to a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report issued on January 6, over 80% of errors committed by physicians in hospitals go unreported and undocumented. This should shock and alarm health administrators, legislators and the public in general. There is no excuse for not reporting these errors, no matter how trivial they […]

Doug / 01-04-2012 / Dangerous

Everyone is now aware of the dangers of drivers being distracted by smart phones and other devices, but what about distracted physicians? According to recent surveys and DigitalJournal.com, it is a rising trend that most people are completely unaware of. In addition to an increase in the usage of electronic devices, some surgeons have their […]

Doug / 01-02-2012 / Dangerous

The state of New York revoked the medical license of a cosmetic surgeon on Staten Island recently, according to SILive.com. Dr. Robert Cattani is no longer permitted to practice in the state, or any others for the time being. Dr. Cattani left many patients disfigured and scarred and sometimes in chronic pain. The state Department […]

Doug / 12-19-2011 / Medical Negligence

A Florida woman was critically injured during what was supposed to be a routine surgery, according to MSNBC News. 29-year-old Kim Grice went in for surgery to remove growths from her head and a slash fire severely burned her face and neck. Her mother, Ann Grice, was shocked to learn that her daughter caught on […]

Doug / 11-02-2011 / Consumer Safety

A teenager in Kissimmee is being charged and accused of posing as a physician assistant in a hospital, according to The Orlando Sentinel. According to St. Cloud Police Chief Pete Gauntlett, it’s not the first time young Matthew Scheidt has pulled this stunt. They said they investigated similar claims last month before deciding not to […]

Doug / 09-30-2011 / Insurance Claim Disputes

According to the American Association for Justice, a study has found that less than a quarter of the claims that doctors filed with an insurer seeking coverage for medical malpractice liability resulted in payments to those alleging harm. The study published in the New England Journal of Medicine said the low rate of payments shows […]

Doug / 09-26-2011 / Medical Negligence

According to the American Association for Justice, Louisiana state trial court has said that the Louisiana medical malpractice damages cap violates the state constitution’s equal protection and adequate remedy guarantees. The court cited the appellate court opinion striking the cap in suits against nurse practitioners, calling it discriminatory only against the most severely injured victims […]

Doug / 03-10-2011 / Medical Negligence

Ryan Jeffers and Leah Vang brought their toddler daughter Malyia to the Methodist Hospital in Sacramento when she had a persistent fever, skin discoloration and weakness. The couple waited with their sick daughter in the emergency room for five hours, and begged doctors and nurses to treat their daughter. Jeffers eventually forced his way into […]

Doug / 01-13-2011 / Medical Negligence

A Florida woman received a multi-million dollar award from an Alachua County jury. The jury found that Lanette Gervato’s severe disability and permanent brain injury was a direct result of medical negligence by the University of Florida’s Shands Teaching Hospital. Gervato suffered brain damage that paralyzed her on one side, impaired her vision and caused […]