Alaska Personal Injury Blog - Medical Malpractice - Most Popular

Medical Malpractice Insurance Companies Mislead the Public

Jane Schneider — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 09:14:41 GMT

A report released May 24, 2007 reveals that medical malpractice insurers have been price-gouging doctors through inflated and excessive premiums and needlessly contributing to the higher costs of healthcare. The study was written by former Missouri Insurance Commissioner Jay Angoff and was based on annual reports from the top 15 medical malpractice insurance companies rated by A.M. Best. These insurers artificially raised doctors' malpractice premiums misleading the public by asserting that a so-called "malpractice crisis" exists.

The study demonstrates the difference between two type of losses in the insurance industry, which are incurred losses and paid losses. The insurance industry evaluates its performance based on incurred losses and not paid losses. Incurred losses include projected future losses. Paid losses are losses which are actual claims payments. The study shows that both paid and incurred losses have decreased; however, at the same time, malpractice rates for doctors continue to increase. All the while, the insurance industry has been banging its drum that there is some type of medical malpractice crisis in America. Insurance companies have been increasing the cost of healthcare, by price-gouging doctors through excessive premiums, while simultaneously advocating against the rights of people injured or killed as a result of medical malpractice.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Medical Malpractice and Negligent Care.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jane Schneider

Twins Fight for Their Lives Against Medical Mistake

Mike Schneider — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 07:35:38 GMT

Twins born by surogate to Dennis Quaid and wife, Kimberly Buffington, November 8, 2007 are now fighting for their lives in a Los Angeles hospital. They were negligently administers 1000 times the normal dose of Heparin, an anticoagulant, and began "bleeding out." They are now in stable condition. Packaging plays a role in this frequent medical negligence scenario. The product with the greater potency appears nearly identical to the less potent dosage, making it easy to cause serious injury or death by administering the drug from the wrong vial.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Medical Malpractice and Negligent Care.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Medical Malpractice Awareness Needed

Staff Writer — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 09:14:14 GMT

Fellow blogger David Lowe points out that the Association of Trial Lawyers of America was campaining last week to bring attention the death toll from medical errors in America's hospitals. National Patient Safety Awareness Week spread the word that "Congress Should Protect Patients, Not Those Guilty of Medical Negligence."

David also directs his readers to a fact sheet provided by the National Patient Safety Foundation - a great resource for consumers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Woman Sues Two Doctors Over Injuries

Christina Cole — Fri, 18 May 2007 21:12:45 GMT

A woman has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against two physicians, alleging their negligence caused her severe pain, including the loss of several of her facial parts.

The lawsuit, filed on April 27th in Kanawha Circuit Court, names two licensed Kanawaha County physicians.

The lawsuit states the woman went to Stonestreet on October 16, 2002, with sinus pain, which was causing her right eye to water continuously. She continued going to Stonestreet for consultations four more times over the next two years time.

The lawsuit alleges Stonestreet did not properly examine her, nor had he properly diagnosed her medical condition. She claims his negligence causes her to suffer the loss of her right eye and a portion of her upper palate, multiple teeth and a large portion of her nose.

The surgeries resulted in her needing medical care which has interfered with her living a normal and productive life. The suit says, Stonestreet's breach of standard of care caused her to suffer.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Alaskans Going Overseas for Medical Procedures

Shannon Weidemann — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 11:24:22 GMT

Due to high medical costs, in part related to the high cost of medical malpractice insurance, Alaskans are being lured overseas by the low costs of medical tourism.

Chuck Klemer, of the Denali area, flew to Thailand with his wife Dulce Havill to receive a hip replacement. They have no health insurance. The operation in the United States would have cost around $40,000. The cost for the trip to Thailand, the surgery, and weeks long recovery combined with a vacation was $14,000.

Medical Malpractice insurance can cost one doctor up to $100,000 a year in the U.S., driving up their prices to patients. With a low exchange rate and doctors not needing to carry such high policies in Thailand, prices for medical procedures are much lower. And may patients report that the hospitals and care there is much nicer than anything they have received in the U.S.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Shannon Weidemann

Medical Mistakes and What to do About Them

Mike Schneider — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 11:35:41 GMT

Medical negligence is common, according to the medical industry's own findings. One of the worst places to be is the hospital...particularly late at night or in July. And in Alaska, where these cases are made more challenging by legal rules set by politicians, it is hard to find a good attorney to help. For an informative article on how to best protect yourself, see the link above.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Vegetative State, Death a Result of Medical Malpractice?

Mike Schneider — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 10:09:40 GMT

The wife of a Texas man who died after surgery to upgrade his heart device has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against her husband's surgeon and the hospital at which the procedure was performed.

Joseph Roberts was admitted to the hospital to upgrade his pacemaker, but the surgery left him in a vegetative state.

Roberts was then transferred to intensive care, where he was found to have anoxic encephalopathy, opening his eyes but not following commands, the suit said. "On Nov. 26, 2005, the patient was extubated but remained in a vegetative state. The patient was transferred to Continue CARE Hospital of Southeast Texas on Dec. 5, 2005, and remained there until he ultimately died on Dec. 11, 2005."
The plaintiffs' suit faults the defendants with negligence, gross negligence and malice.
"Roberts continuously suffered gross abuse, extensive neglect and undue pain," the suit said. "His basic needs were ignored and his dignity was disregarded."

The suit also alleges that nurses failed to properly care for Roberts while he was in the hospital after the surgery.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider