Archive for the ‘Med-Mal News’ Category

« Older Entries

A Look at 2011 Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Cases

Friday, May 18th, 2012

The rules changed in 2003, and in the years that followed fewer Pennsylvania medical malpractice cases were filed. From 2004 -2010 the number of medical malpractice cases filed in Pennsylvania dropped each year.

However, last year there was not a drop in PA medical malpractice cases. The number of cases filed in 2011 was substantially similar to the number of cases filed in 2010. In 2010, 1,491 medical malpractice cases were filed in Pennsylvania. In 2011, 1,528 medical malpractice cases were filed in Pennsylvania.

While the statistics are interesting, it is important to remember that they have no bearing on your individual case. If you have been hurt by the negligence of a doctor, nurse, medical professional, or hospital then you may be able to file a medical malpractice case and recover damages.

$78.5 Million Award in Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Case

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Earlier this month a Philadelphia jury awarded $78.5 million to a mother whose now three year old child was allegedly born with cerebral palsy because of a medical error at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

The plaintiff claimed that she went to the hospital in August 2008 with signs of pregnancy implications. A doctor allegedly performed an ultrasound and claimed that the baby had died. A second ultrasound was completed a little while later and a heartbeat was detected. The mother was then taken in for an emergency ultrasound and the child was born more than an hour after the first ultrasound. Experts for the plaintiff convinced a jury that the child might not have suffered from cerebral palsy had the C-section been done earlier. The jury also found that if appropriate ultrasound equipment and a trained ultrasound technician had been provided to this mother that the delay would have been avoided.

The multimillion dollar verdict includes compensation for future medical care, lost earnings, the child’s pain and suffering and the mother’s emotional distress. We extend our best wishes to the mother and child for the future.

Two Medication Overdoses Reported at St. Lukes

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Last week the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that two patients at St. Luke’s had been overdosed with infusion pumps by nurses at the facility. These alleged overdoses come shortly after staff had been retrained because of an infusion pump overdose last fall.

St. Luke’s University Health Network has issued a statement saying that two patients did receive overdoses of medication. One of the patients experienced a critical drop in blood pressure and reportedly responded
to additional medication provided to combat the blood pressure drop. The other patient recovered from the medication mistake within a few hours, according to reports.

We wish everyone injured by these alleged medication errors a fast and complete recovery.

Military Medical Malpractice Case Filed Against Government

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

Late last month, a Texas Airman and his wife filed a lawsuit in federal court that could potentially have an impact here in Pennsylvania and across the nation. Retired Airman Colton Read and his wife Jessica filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the U.S. Government alleging that what happened
during Airman Read’s June 2009 gallbladder surgery, and in the hours following the surgery, amount to negligence that ultimately resulted in Airman Read losing both his legs when he was transferred to a civilian hospital from David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base.

Currently, the United States Government is protected from negligence suits, including medical malpractice lawsuits, filed by military personnel. The case brought by Airman and Mrs. Read challenged that premise, known as the Feres Doctrine.

If the Reads are successful in their military medical malpractice suit against the Government then it could impact many military personnel around the country who have been harmed by medical negligence at government or military facilities. This is a case that we will continue to watch.

An Insurers Look at Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Payouts in 2011

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

Recently, Diederich Healthcare looked at medical malpractice health care payouts in 2011. Interested in learning how many claims were paid in Pennsylvania?

According to the research done by Diederich,903 PA medical malpractice claims were paid in 2011 for a total of about $319,710,250. Only three states, California, Florida and New York had more claims paid. New York was the only state that had a higher aggregate amount in payments made.

As always, the statistics do not have any bearing on your individual case. If you have been injured by medical malpractice in Pennsylvania then it is important to contact an experienced Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyer to discuss your rights and possible recovery.

« Older Entries