March 1, 2010

Tort Reform Detrimentally Harms Victims of Medical Negligence

All too often the public does not hear about the detrimental effects tort reform has on the hundreds of thousands of victims whom are injured by medical malpractice each year. Tort reform puts a cap on compensation for victims of medical negligence. The Huffington Post points out the specific case of Lisa Gurley. A court found that the severe brain injury suffered at birth by Lisa’s son, Colin, was caused by a doctor’s negligence. Despite this finding, Nebraska tort reform prevented Lisa and her son from being adequately compensated for his injuries. In fact, they were compensated for just a tiny fraction of what it will cost to care for Colin for the remainder of his life. Now, Medicaid and the Nebraska Medically Handicap Children's program pay for all of Colin’s care. It is grossly unfair that the taxpayers and Colin’s family are paying the astronomical cost of caring for a severely handicapped child while the doctor and the insurance company paid minimally for the medical negligence. The Chicago medical malpractice attorneys at Levin and Perconti are working to protect the rights of catastrophically injured children like Colin and to ensure that there continue to be adequate remedies for injured victims of medical negligence.

December 17, 2009

Brain Hemorrhage Misdiagnosis Leads to Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The husband of a woman who died at a Long Island Hospital due to a misdiagnosed brain hemorrhage has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the hospital and doctors who failed to properly treat her. The wrongful death lawsuit alleges that doctors failed to properly diagnose the victim’s brain hemorrhage which lead to her death. The victim was admitted to the hospital after complaining of vomiting and gastrointestinal pain, as well as a painful headache and pain in her left eye. The medical malpractice complaint stated that the victim had a history of ulcerative colitis. Usually a computed tomography (CT) scan will confirm a brain hemorrhage. If a brain hemorrhage is diagnosed properly, it can often by treated by radiology or microsurgical procedures. Since doctors did not perform these tests, their medical error led to the patient’s death. To examine the wrongful death suit more closely, please click the link.

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September 8, 2009

Several Hospitals Fined

A series of hospitals have been fined for serious medical violations, according to an article. Some of these medical violations led to either serious bodily harm or even death. At one particular hospital, a child suffered serious brain injury after the nursing staff failed to drain his head properly. Another hospital has claimed to counteract medical violations they will hire more staff and cut back on medical technicians’ duties so they can better concentrate on the patient’s care. If you have suffered due to a medical violation at your hospital you should consult a medical malpractice attorney to discuss legal options.

Read more about the serious fines dealt to the hospitals here.

March 24, 2009

Surgeon Faces Double Digit Complaints

Surgeon Paul Christopher Francel is facing 14 complaints that have been filed against him for medical malpractice negligence. In 2006, the surgeon made headlines after he performed surgery on a Russian teen that left him brain dead. The parents of the teen have filed a wrongful death complaint which is just one of the numerous others against the surgeon. He is currently under investigation by the state medical board.

Read more about the medical malpractice complaints here.

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January 8, 2009

How to Reduce Child’s Risk of Injury

775,000 children are injured each year from sports-related injuries. Two forms of injuries children may suffer are either acute or chronic. Acute injuries could include more serious brain injuries such as concussions, skull fractures, brain hemorrhages, and spinal cord injuries. The article offers advice on how to reduce your child’s risk of injury.

For the full story, click here.

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UM will Study Veterans’ Brain Injuries

The University of Michigan received a grant from Chicago’s McCormick Foundation which will be used to study Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ brain injuries. The grant will study post traumatic stress disorder, sleep disorders, depression, and other adverse effects from the war.

For the full story, click here.

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Pentagon Will Not Award Purple Heart to PTSD Victims

The Pentagon has ruled it will not award the Purple Heart to post traumatic stress disorder victims because it is not a physical wound. PTSD can create severe adverse effects in its victims including recurring nightmares, uncontrolled rage, and severe depression. Many that suffer from PTSD also suffer from severe brain injury. In that case, they may qualify for the Purple Heart because they may need medical treatment for the severe traumatic brain injury.

For the full story, click here.

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January 7, 2009

Head-Banging May Cause Severe Brain Injury

The head-banging dance has been rumored to cause brain injury, whiplash, and stroke. A study was performed that showed head-banging can cause brain trauma if one is not careful while dancing. This study found the dance will at least cause mild head and neck injury.

For the full story, click here.

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Teen Suffers Severe Brain Trauma Helping Friend

A teen tried to break up a fight his friend was in when he was kicked in the head and hit the sidewalk. He suffered severe brain trauma. The young man had intensive brain surgery and placed in a medically induced coma. It took three weeks before the man could be brought out of the coma.

For the full story, click here.

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January 6, 2009

Teen Suffers Brian Injury from Car Accident

A teen was ejected from his truck that dove into a 100-foot ravine which caused him severe brain injury. The teen remains unconscious and in critical condition. He suffered from severe brain swelling and had to have part of his skull removed.

For the full story, click here.

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Jett Travolta Showed No Sign of Brain Injury

Actor John Travolta’s son Jett showed no sign of brain injury from an alleged fall from a seizure. The coroner states that the boy’s body was not in poor condition regardless of reports from the media that Jett suffered a head trauma.

For the full story, click here.

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January 2, 2009

Football Player Highlights Center for Head Trauma

This history of notable football players’ head traumas has brought a theory that undiagnosed trauma can lead to serious long-term damage. According to the article, the Steelers’ concussion management team has “spent more than 10 years developing the computer-based neurological test” used by football teams across the country to deter serious injuries. The test consists of memory exercises and motor and sensory tests. Before and after the tests the player is rested to see if any symptoms return.

For the full story, click here.

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War Veteran Suffers from PTSD

The article interviews a medic about his injuries and experience in the army. He suffered from a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, and a stroke. He has what they call “survivor’s guilt” where he has a fear of crowds, depression, and withdrawal. The Veterans Administration may be discontinuing their support for the veteran in 36 months.

For the full story, click here.

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Rush Studies Traumatic Brain Injuries

Rush University Medical Center is participating in a $4.3 million dollar grant to study the most effective way in treating severe brain injuries. According to the article, “Rush treats 50 to 75 patients with traumatic brain injuries a year” in the Chicago area.

For the full story, click here.

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December 29, 2008

Pro Racer Suffers Severe Brain Injury

A pro off-road racer suffers a 24 day coma and severe brain injuries after a motorcycle crash. The youngest pro off-road racer at 16 years of age is battling to come back from the brain injuries and shows signs of healing.

For the full story, click here.

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Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the Military

The military culture has become an unhealthy environment for soldiers to express their feelings about the men and women lost along the way. Post traumatic stress disorder affects 1 in 5 men and women who serve in Iraq and Afghanistan according to the Pentagon. Although there are outlets such as mental health clinic s for soldiers to seek out on military bases, these clinics are by some soldiers are considered to be a sign of weakness. Now there are efforts to train the soldier’s brain to cope better with PTSD.

For the full story, click here.

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December 27, 2008

Brain Injury Affects the Entire Person

Brain injuries brought on by stroke, illnesses, and sudden blows to the head will dramatically change the entire functionality of each person affected. The affects of the injury could be anywhere from a concussion to a coma where those persons will suffer memory loss or personality changes. The severity depends on the type of brain injury. Families send loved ones affected by the injury to homes where they can receive more individualized care.

For the full story, click here.

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December 1, 2008

Abusive Behavior by Doctors May Lead to Critical Medical Problems

Recent studies suggest arrogant, abusive, and disruptive behavior by doctors in the workplace contributes to medical mistakes, preventable complications, and even death. One nurse testifies to a patient that could have suffered serious brain injury or death if she did not call an attending doctor at home due to an unruly on-call resident. Also, through surveys and testimony, nurses and residents have reported not questioning medical mistakes made by a doctor due to fear of the doctor’s anger.

For the full story, click here.

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July 24, 2008

University of Illinois Expected to Approve $14 Million in Settlements

The University of Illinois Board of Trustees will be advised today to sign off on nearly $14 Million in settlements concerning two cases. The first case involves the University of Illinois Medical Center in Chicago’s failure to perform an emergency delivery that resulted in permanent brain damage to an infant. The settlement in that case, if approved, would be $9 Million. The second case involves the failure to treat jaundice in a premature infant, the result of which was brain damage from high very levels of bilirubin. That case’s settlement is expected to be $4.8 Million. University officials have recommended approval of the settlements.

For more information, click here:

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June 10, 2008

$15 Million in Hospital Malpractice Suit

Vanessa Jenkins gave birth to her son, Cody Smithey, in 2001 at Valley West Community Hospital. Jenkins, who is from Aurora, Illinois, was allegedly having an uneventful labor until Dr. Martin Brauwelier repeatedly used a vacuum extractor device, using it 18 times within 50 minutes, unsuccessfully. At that point an emergency Caesarean section was performed by a different doctor because the baby’s fetal heart rate displayed signs of distress, at least that is what Jenkins’ lawsuit alleged. After Cody suffered brain damage and ended up with cerebral palsy and mental retardation, Jenkins filed suit claiming his birth injuries resulted from medical negligence. The medical malpractice suit, filed six years ago against the Illinois hospital, its staff, and the doctor, settled Tuesday for $15.35 million.

Read more here.

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