The post Suing a plastic surgeon for medical malpractice appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>According to the American College of Surgeons, plastic surgery is a procedure that involves repairing damage or defects to certain areas of the body. It can also correct a cosmetic issue to the liking of a patient; for example, if a woman is unhappy with the size and shape of her breasts, she could get breast augmentation with implants.
Regardless of whether a person wants plastic surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, plastic surgeons must be board-certified and have significant education and training to ensure utmost professionalism. However, if the doctor is negligent while performing surgery and the patient is left disfigured, injured or harmed in some other way, they could be held liable for medical malpractice.
Patients must also do their part after a procedure; surgeons provide aftercare instructions for what they can and cannot do and may give a timeline for their recovery. If a patient fails to follow those criteria and experiences a complication, the doctor may not be accountable.
However, if the doctor exhibited negligence at any stage, it could be medical malpractice. Failing to warn patients of the risks and not giving them instructions for prep before plastic surgery and aftercare can result in serious harm; for example, if a patient taking blood thinners was not told to stop taking them before surgery, it could lead to a bleeding emergency.
Medical malpractice can also involve surgery on the wrong part of the body, accidentally nicking a nerve and causing nerve damage or leaving an instrument inside the patient. Doctors must also be fully alert and awake and not under the influence or fatigued while performing surgery.
Any of these scenarios could leave a patient suffering serious harm or even death. Plastic surgeons must provide reasonable care like any other doctor to avoid malpractice.
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]]>The post Weight loss drugs may cause general anesthesia complications appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>Doctors wrote nearly six million prescriptions diabetes drugs used as weight loss aids between January and May 2023. These drugs induce weight loss by mimicking the action of gut hormones, making those who take them feel full much faster. However, for some patients, the digestion slows so much that their stomachs remain full when they report for surgeries that require an empty stomach. This situation puts them at increased risk for pulmonary aspiration, a potentially deadly condition that is one of the most common anesthesia errors. Pulmonary aspiration can cause severe lung damage, infections and even death.
In June 2023, the American Society of Anesthesiologists advised patients to skip daily weight loss medications on the day of surgery and weekly injections for at least one week before undergoing total anesthesia. However, some medical experts believe that there should be a longer waiting period when on weight loss medications.
Patients taking these medications must be aware of general anesthesia risks. Not informing patients is a form of medical negligence and can result in lengthy hospitalizations and extended breathing problems if pulmonary aspiration occurs.
Abstaining from food for longer periods before surgery doesn’t appear to be the answer. Make sure that the surgeon who will be performing your procedure is aware of your situation.
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]]>The post An autopsy may reveal medical malpractice caused death appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>Some patients die in the hospital after an illness or a surgical procedure. However, only 5% of those people undergo an autopsy. Several decades ago, it was standard practice for hospitals to perform autopsies on patients to determine the cause of death. This is no longer the case as hospital officials worry that an autopsy could reveal that medical malpractice has occurred and they can be the target of a lawsuit. If such an examination is not performed, there may be some question about why a patient died. This can make it difficult for the victim’s personal representative to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family.
If you suspect that your loved one’s death was caused by a medical error, it might mean that medical malpractice was the culprit. In that situation, you may want to order an autopsy to learn what killed your loved one. Although not all medical errors are considered malpractice, those involving negligence do fall under that category; if the doctor or another medical professional was negligent and caused the death, you have the right to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.
When seeking an autopsy, it’s wise to avoid seeking one through the hospital. Instead, you will want an independent one performed. A local county medical examiner or coroner should be objective and give you honest answers about the cause of death. However, if this is impossible, it’s still better to have the hospital perform an autopsy than not have one done at all as it gives you the answers you seek.
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]]>The post What to know about shoulder impingement due to a car accident appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>Car accidents can exert tremendous force on the body, especially if they involve a high-impact collision. A sudden deceleration, impact and the force of the seatbelt restraint can cause an individual to tense their muscles. Combined with the body’s forward motion against the restraint, it can result in hyperextension, excessive strain and other problems that can lead to impingement over time.
Some symptoms arise immediately after an accident, while others may develop later. Early signs of a shoulder impingement injury include shoulder pain when reaching or lifting, which some people interpret as general soreness from the accident. Other signs are a limited range of motion, shoulder weakness and pain when moving their arm overhead. It is essential not to ignore these symptoms because if left untreated, they could worsen.
Leaving shoulder impingement untreated can cause worsening symptoms, such as progressive damage to tendons and other structures in the shoulder. Chronic inflammation and friction within the shoulder can lead to rotator cuff tears, bursitis or other conditions that become even more debilitating. Over time, these conditions can cause irreversible damage to the shoulder joint, limiting your ability to do simple tasks such as lifting groceries or engaging in physical work or sports activities. The constant pain and limited range of motion can make everyday tasks such as dressing and bathing difficult. Decreased shoulder mobility can also impact work performance and overall quality of life.
Treatments for shoulder impingement include non-surgical and surgical interventions. Physical therapy includes targeted strengthening and stretches to improve shoulder strength, eliminate pain and increase flexibility. Steroids and anti-inflammatory medications can relieve pain and inflammation. Ergonomic changes at work can provide alternative ways to perform tasks without aggravating the shoulder. These methods have been proven effective and can be adjusted to each patient’s needs.
Shoulder impingement can become debilitating after a car accident. Early intervention can help you regain control over your injury and daily life.
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]]>The post Will advanced technology reveal more driver cellphone use? appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>Roadside cameras and telematics from safe driver apps may be more accurate in showing who uses cell phones while driving, according to two recent studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Current methods don’t provide enough information about how drivers use their devices while in their vehicles. Most recent information comes from the Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) annual roadside survey that uses roadside observers at intersections to determine how many people pass them with cellphones held to their ears. This information only records drivers who are stopped at lights. Even less accurate information is available on the percentage of crashes related to cellphone use, as drivers are reluctant to tell police officers that they were distracted by their devices.
Roadside cameras combined with artificial intelligence could provide potentially more accurate data about the percentage of distracted drivers. Telematics information from users phones can record information like hard braking, speeding and other pertinent data.
Drivers not keeping their full attention on the road can cause catastrophic personal injuries resulting in extensive surgeries, years of rehabilitation and sometimes permanent disability. In addition to cellphone usage, music, talking and eating can frequently distract drivers.
Distracted driving is a form of negligence, causing drivers to speed, weave and otherwise cause accidents. Victims injured by distracted drivers may be eligible to file compensation claims and use the proceeds to pay for hospitalization, medical treatments, living expenses, lost wages and more during recovery.
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]]>The post New approach to the classification of traumatic brain injury appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>TBI is classified as mild, moderate or severe. Some medical professionals believe these classifications don’t do enough to provide a more individualized treatment plan for patients, and it leaves them feeling frustrated about their prognosis. For example, a patient with TBI that is classified as moderate may feel as though their abilities are more limited than the medical professional believes they really are.
The term mild TBI is part of a current medical debate over its perceived misdiagnosis. Concussion is often used to describe mild TBI because it tends to be a more acceptable term to convey the less severe nature of the injury to the patient. While concussion is a form of TBI, some medical professionals believe mild TBI is overused, and concussion is a more appropriate term. Using the diagnosis mild traumatic brain injury can elicit a more severe response from a patient regarding their condition when they really have a temporary condition that should heal.
Researchers strongly desire to leave behind the mild, moderate and severe classifications of TBI and rely more on actual testing markers. Medical treatment plans should be created and measured by the patient’s Glascow Coma Scale score, premorbidity, imaging and blood-based biomarkers. Physicians are hopeful this will assist medical teams in better evaluating an individual patient’s specific injuries and developing a plan that will achieve real results. Hopefully, this will also help patients better understand their own diagnosis and ability level.
There are many factors that play a part in how a traumatic brain injury is treated. Because of its critical nature, patients who receive immediate care at a certified trauma center tend to see better medical results.
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]]>The post Nurse practitioners face malpractice claims appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>Reports indicate that medical malpractice claims against nurses are increasing. In 2022, aging services claims jumped to a total distribution of 20.3%, an increase over the 17.2% increase in total distribution in 2017. Several factors contribute to the increase, including a rising aging population and an increase in people working as nurse practitioners.
A decrease in primary care physicians also contributes to the increase in malpractice claims against nurse practitioners. Since more nurse practitioners perform duties in aging services-related roles, their risk exposure might increase.
Medical malpractice could take many forms, with the consistent element being negligence. If a nurse practitioner does not bring a patient the correct medicine, such action could be a form of negligence. If a patient has an adverse reaction to the wrong prescription, expect the patient or their family to file a civil claim. Other malpractice examples include dropping a patient while moving them or not responding timely in an emergency.
Medical malpractice claims could be resolved with an insurance settlement if the person or entity sued carries sufficient coverage. Suing above policy limits may occur when such a pursuit is feasible. Victims may seek claims from multiple parties when more than one person acted negligently and caused harm.
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]]>The post How can the misuse of forceps lead to serious birth injuries? appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>Every year in America, over 60,000 mothers suffer from complications during birth or delivery, according to Stat News. While forceps sometimes serve an important role in assisting with childbirth, their misuse or improper handling can result in significant birth injuries.
When complications during labor arise, including prolonged labor, fetal distress or the urgency of a swift delivery due to medical concerns, medical professionals may use forceps. However, incorrect application of this tool can lead to facial nerve injuries in newborns. This can result in facial paralysis or muscle weakness, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Excessive force during forceps-assisted delivery can result in skull fractures in the infant. These fractures may lead to long-term neurological issues and developmental delays.
Misuse of forceps can cause severe birth injuries, such as brain hemorrhages or oxygen deprivation. These injuries can have enduring consequences, including cognitive and motor impairments that affect a child’s entire life.
The improper application of forceps may lead to bleeding within the baby’s brain, a condition known as intracranial hemorrhage. This can result in seizures, intellectual disabilities and other lasting neurological challenges.
While forceps are a valuable tool in childbirth, medical professionals should not underestimate how dangerous they can be when doctors rush through a procedure. Dealing with injuries after birth may leave mothers and children feeling tired and overwhelmed.
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]]>The post Common anesthesia errors in medical institutions in Ohio appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>All medications are foreign substances that medical professionals introduce into your body to either elicit a reaction at the target receptor or just bind to the target receptor to inhibit a particular reaction. In other words, they interfere with the natural chemical reactions in the body until the patient achieves the desired result, which in this case is to block their nerves from sensing pain.
So, if a medical professional overdoses you, they will be more of the drug interfering with your body’s natural reactions. Hence, there might be consequences like brain damage, physical impairments and sometimes death. Underdosing might leave you conscious and aware of pain throughout the procedure, which can result in trauma.
Sometimes, medical professionals may administer the wrong type of anesthesia or even mix them up with other medications, all of which can lead to serious complications for patients. This is because different drugs affect the body in different ways. Some might even react among themselves in the body to form toxic compounds that could endanger your life.
Inadequate monitoring is another significant source of anesthesia errors. It occurs when healthcare professionals fail to properly monitor a patient’s vital signs, like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, while they are under anesthesia. Such negligence can lead to oxygen deprivation, hypoxia, cardiac arrest and brain damage.
All patients in Ohio have a right to expect a certain standard of care from healthcare professionals and hospitals, and a failure to meet this standard can lead to medical malpractice lawsuits. If you believe your doctor or nurse has made an anesthesia error that led to your or your loved one’s injury or death, it is essential to know how to fight for justice as soon as you can since there are also time limits to when you can file a claim.
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]]>The post How defensive driving helps you avoid accidents appeared first on Crandall & Pera Law.
]]>One of the best ways to avoid motor vehicle accidents is to remain alert at all times. This means you should avoid distractions and focus on the road while maintaining control of your vehicle. If you must take a phone call, keep it short and use your vehicle’s system. If you have to take or make a longer call while on the road, pull over and park to do it.
Many accidents occur because of speeding drivers. Stay within the legal speed limit and always slow down in poor weather conditions or when traffic becomes dense. Give at least one car’s length distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. If you’re behind a truck or larger vehicle, allow for even more space. It lets you stop safely and avoid a potential rear-end accident.
Chances are that you will encounter an aggressive driver at some point. Although losing your temper in that situation is easy, remaining level-headed is the best way to respond. Staying calm often helps to de-escalate things so you can avoid an accident.
Part of defensive driving involves anticipating danger all around you. This doesn’t mean you should be paranoid while traveling on the road; instead, it allows you to better gauge potential danger to better react. It can help you to avoid a car accident.
Many accidents are due to driver error. Defensive driving may not prevent all collisions, but it can reduce the risk.
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