Having surgery can be frightening and stressful, but learning that you endured a painful, expensive, and unnecessary procedure can be even more distressing. Unfortunately, unnecessary surgery is a shockingly common type of medical malpractice. While not every instance of an unnecessary surgical procedure is grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit,…
Pap smears are an essential part of women’s reproductive healthcare. Using cells collected from the cervix, these gynecological tests screen for abnormalities that could indicate cervical cancer and are often combined with a test to detect the cancer-causing human papillomavirus. Doctors recommend that women between the ages of 21 and…
Not only are diagnostic errors one of the most prevalent types of medical malpractice, but they’re also one of the most frequent reasons for malpractice settlements and financial awards. Medical errors affect an estimated 12 million Americans each year, according to the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine, and can…
Surgeons, dentists, general practitioners, specialists, and other medical professionals are required to provide patients with a quality standard of care. Though not all poor health outcomes are the result of providers deviating from an accepted standard of care, many are. In fact, a recent study from Johns Hopkins found that…
Nurses play an extremely important role in the medical field. Nurses are responsible for providing the bulk of routine care in hospitals and nursing homes, from administering medications to monitoring patient vital signs. Nurse practitioners and nurse midwifes may also conduct exams, deliver babies, provide patient education and otherwise fill…
Medical mistakes are now the third leading cause of deaths within the U.S., according to RT. While previous estimates have indicated medical errors were a top reason for fatalities within the United States, new research affirms that there are only two causes of death which occur more commonly than negligence…
Recent guidelines suggest that women age 21 and over should undergo a pap smear screening every three years. Pap smears are intended to help identify cell changes that could be indicative of the Human Papillomavirus Virus (HPV) and that could potentially lead to the development of cervical cancer. Pap smears…
This past July, a previously-respected doctor specializing in the treatment of cancer was sentenced to 45-years in prison. The physician was given this sentence because of misdiagnosing and mistreating patients. Misdiagnosis is one of the most common errors made by physicians and is a leading cause of medical malpractice claims.…
When you visit the doctor, you expect that your doctor will conduct an exam, listen to you on the symptoms you are having, and help you to get a broader picture of your health status. A visit to the doctor can be especially important when something may be wrong so…
Cardiologists are medical care providers who focus on treating the heart and the blood vessels. Cardiologists have enormous responsibilities for patient care because a problem with the heart can turn deadly in a split second. Cardiologists are specialists, so may be held to a higher standard of care when it…