Medical Malpractice

• What Inflation Has Done To Damage Caps Over The Years

  Bob Carroll | September 29, 2006 5:15 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  The Associated Press reports that a Louisiana Appeals Court has observed the obvious - a $500,000 cap on medical malpractice damages established in 1975 has been impacted by inflation in the intervening years. In 2006, the cap is actually worth only $160,000 which, by the way, the Court feels no longer is fair.Maybe we should ask the Louisiana Court to do some calculating on the Florida cap on...

• ER Diagnosis Not Always Right Or Timely

  Bob Carroll | September 26, 2006 2:28 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  There are definite breakdowns in the diagnostic process in emergency rooms that can cause serious injury and death. The National Library of Medicine has posted an abstract of a recent medical journal article detailing the nature of the breakdowns. The news is not good. Missed and Delayed Diagnoses in the Emergency Department: A Study of Closed Malpractice Claims From 4 Liability Insurers. ...

• "Stop Me Before I Kill Another Infant With Another Heparin Overdose"

  Bob Carroll | September 21, 2006 6:33 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  I wasn't very far into my legal career when I realized that some of the medical errors I was reviewing seemed to be repeat performances of earlier errors by the same provider or, at least, by other providers in the same medical community. Administering an adult dose of Heparin to an infant is the type of error that should only happen once in the history of a hospital. But, here we have the...

• $5 Million Dollar Settlement For Brain Injured Newborn

  Bob Carroll | September 19, 2006 11:15 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  There are few injuries more devastating than a brain injury inflicted upon a newborn. In this reported settlement the child is unable to walk, talk or eat on his own. Personally, although there were probably good reasons for the settlement at $5 Million, the lifetime of expense and suffering would justify millions more in compensation. $5 million settlement in suit over brain-damaged boyBOSTON...

• Just How Young Is Your Heart?

  Bob Carroll | September 18, 2006 5:24 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  September 24 is World Heart Day. Make it your day to begin a longer, more healthy life. "How Young Is Your Heart?" World Heart Day, Sunday 24 September 2006Controlling major risk factors such as physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet and tobacco use could prevent 80% of heart disease and stroke and help keep the heart healthy. This is why this year's World Heart Day campaign asks: "How Young is...

• Call 911 When You Think You Are Having A Heart Attack

  Bob Carroll | September 15, 2006 3:25 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  If you suspect you are having a heart attack and plan to go to an emergency room the better plan may be to call 911. Why do I say this? Calling 911 virtually assures you will receive prompt emergency attention by EMT's or paramedics at your location and then be transported quickly and safely to the emergency room where you will likely be wheeled immediately into the presence of a physician who...

• Do Not Ignore Symptoms Of Cardiac Arrest

  Bob Carroll | September 12, 2006 5:59 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  "Sudden cardiac death" often isn't all that sudden, and lives can be saved by training people about the symptoms of impending cardiac arrest and what action to take, a German study shows. The study is reported by Forbes.Early Symptoms Can Warn of Sudden Cardiac DeathEarly recognition of the symptoms and prompt medical attention can be a lifesaver."A study of 406 sudden cardiac death patients...

• Patient Satisfaction And Quality Of Medical Care

  Bob Carroll | September 11, 2006 2:16 PM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  I am asked frequently to review medical records to determine if a breach of the medical standard of care (medical malpractice) has occurred. Sometimes I am told that a particular doctor is the likely bad guy and that Dr. Super Nice Fellow is definitely not a logical target because, well, he is a super nice fellow.Unfortunately, not every super nice fellow practices good medicine. Patient...

• Warning To Young Female Athletes: Protect Your Anterior Cruciate Ligament

  Bob Carroll | September 11, 2006 7:41 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Young female athletes are suffering knee injuries which could be avoided with special conditioning and awareness.Adolescent Girl Athletes More Likely To Injure Knees Than BoysAdolescent girl athletes are as much as eight times more likely to injure their knee's anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than their male counterparts, according to a recent study led by Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of...

• "Show Me The Money" - Hospital CEO's

  Bob Carroll | September 07, 2006 4:47 AM | 0 CommentsTampa Bay, FL

  Hospital CEO's are fattening their wallets while physician and nurse income plummet and patient safety tanks. And, this report is only the "not-for-profit" hospitals in Boston. Can you imagine what is going on in the "for-profit" world? Massachusetts Hospital CEOs Cash In In Time to Heal, Kenneth Ludmerer traced the evolution, if that is the right word, of the academic medical center from a...