Couple sues Veteran Affairs for failure to diagnose cancer
For New York residents, one of the worst pieces of news the doctor can provide is a diagnosis of cancer. Even worse, however, is the failure to diagnose cancer that exists so patients can get timely treatment. For one man in New York, the diagnosis of skin cancer may have come too late for effective treatment.
New York Supreme Court rules in case of doctor’s overdose death
The New York Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit against New York Presbyterian Hospital filed by the estate of one of its doctors who committed suicide using propofol. The 2011 suicide came less than a year after the anesthesiology resident finished a hospital-affiliated rehabilitation program for addiction to the substance. After completing the 6-week program, she was allowed to return to work, and eventually to duty in the operating room, where she had “easy access” to the drug. Two months later, she announced that she was going to be resigning. The next day, she killed herself with a propofol overdose.
State’s case against negligent doctor falls apart
New York residents who are dealing with mental illness themselves or with mentally ill friends and family expect to place a certain amount of trust in behavioral health staff. In another state, a case against a psychiatrist alleges doctor negligence and unprofessional conduct. Complaints include that the doctor made medication errors and ignored the needs of a pediatric patient.
Family receives compensation after negligence-related death
New York residents may be interested in a recent jury decision which awarded a family $2.4 million. In 2007, a woman died after seeking emergency treatment for severe pain in her abdomen and back. Two years earlier, she had undergone gastric bypass surgery, a relatively common procedure. Often, bowel obstruction is a complication in this type of surgery, but the suit claimed that the failure to diagnose this lead to her death.
Breast density law aims to reduce missed diagnoses of cancer
When a doctor looks at a mammogram, he or she could mistake a tumor for dense breast tissue. In fact, a 2011 study by the Mayo Clinic showed that in 75 percent of women’s mammograms that indicated dense breast tissue, doctors failed to detect cancer that was present.
A-Rod claims Yankees doctor failed to inform; files lawsuit
While Yankee Alex Rodriguez is facing his own issues related to the 211-game suspension handed down in August, A-Rod also recently decided to file a lawsuit related to the medical care he received in October 2012. He claims that while an injury was clearly seen on a MRI, the Yankees physician did not tell him about the injury and cleared him to play.
From cancer to diabetes, misdiagnosis cases range among patients
Diagnostic errors may be a bigger problem than the general public realizes. In fact, when researchers from Johns Hopkins analyzed 350,000 medical malpractice payouts — stemming back 25 years — one-third of those payouts were the result of a misdiagnosis. This makes diagnostic errors one of the leading patient safety concerns in the U.S.
Medical malpractice lawsuit claims failure to disclose risks
When going in for a surgery, the doctor should fully disclose any associated risks. This way, a patient can decide to either consent to the surgery or look into other possible options.
New York ranks No. 1 for medical malpractice payouts
A doctor’s incorrect action — or inaction — can lead to serious and life-altering injuries for patients. In a number of cases, these mistakes can even be deadly. Many times, these injuries or deaths also lead to medical malpractice lawsuits, which in turn can result in settlements or judgments. Either way, a good number of hospitals and healthcare facilities end up paying out to injured patients or grieving family members.
Mother claims failure to diagnose led to son’s death
It is essential to the well-being or an unborn child that a mother is properly cared for during her pregnancy. This means not only making sure the mother is doing the basics — eating right and taking the proper vitamins — but the doctors caring for the woman also need to be weighing all risk factors when providing care during pregnancy.