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Malpractice

Four ways to reduce malpractice risk

Abby A. Jacobson, MS, PA-C August 17, 2010

Medical malpractice is an unfortunate reality of practicing medicine in the current environment.

Medical interpreters can increase patient satisfaction with ED experience

Ann W. Latner, JD August 17, 2010

Results indicated that 96% of the patients provided with an interpreter were "very satisfied" with their ability to communicate with health-care professionals.

New York City hospitals take part in malpractice pilot program

Ann W. Latner, JD August 17, 2010

Patients and families will be encouraged to use the new program to resolve issues rather than going through a full trial.

Court orders Wisconsin to repay money siphoned from malpractice fund

Ann W. Latner, JD August 17, 2010

The fund was started in 1975 to provide excess medical malpractice coverage for health-care providers.

The right thing takes a wrong turn

Ann W. Latner, JD August 01, 2010

Should the clinician have kept silent when asked about the treatment  a patient was receiving?

Washington State Supreme Court strikes down malpractice reform

Ann W. Latner, JD July 20, 2010

The court struck down the requirement that providers be given a 90-day notice before a medical malpractice suit could be filed.

Physicians surveyed about defensive medicine

Ann W. Latner, JD July 20, 2010

Most feel they order more lab tests and procedures than patients need.

Does a slip of the tongue equate to medical malpractice?

Ann W. Latner, JD July 20, 2010

A physician was sued for revealing a patient's HIV status in front of her minor daughters.

Las Vegas physician indicted following hepatitis outbreak

Ann W. Latner, JD June 15, 2010

The outbreak was caused by the reuse of syringes and endoscopy scopes.

Practice environment is on the decline in Massachusetts

Ann W. Latner, JD June 15, 2010

The drop is attributed to professional liability rates, the percent of physicians over 55 years of age, the cost of maintaining a physician's practice, and the increasing number of visits to emergency departments.

Hospital not liable for kidney transplant cancer death

Ann W. Latner, JD June 15, 2010

The case involved the death of a 37-year old man who died from cancer and receiving a kidney from a woman who had uterine cancer.

Amputation results from diabetes

Ann W. Latner, JD June 01, 2010

Should a noncompliant patient bear the full responsibility for not following instructions?

Medical malpractice suits drop by 39% in Pennsylvania

Ann W. Latner, JD May 18, 2010

New medical malpractice laws account for the difference.

Study: Interrupted nurses make more mistakes

Ann W. Latner, JD May 18, 2010

Interruptions lead to procedural and clinical errors.

Complaints to maine medical board rise dramatically

Ann W. Latner, JD May 18, 2010

However, increased negligence is not to blame.

Nurse settles case, then is found not liable

Ann W. Latner, JD May 18, 2010

After undergoing plastic surgery, the patient suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital where she was declared brain dead.

Postsurgical infection could have been avoided

Ann W. Latner, JD May 01, 2010

When a patient refuses to follow advice, should the clinician be held liable for any adverse outcomes?

Georgia Supreme Court overturns malpractice cap

Ann W. Latner, JD April 19, 2010

The court ruled that a cap takes away a jury's fundamental role in determining damages.

Wisconsin malpractice fund in the red

Ann W. Latner, JD April 19, 2010

In 2007, governor Jim Doyle pulled $200 million from the fund to help balance the state budget.

Medical malpractice leads to legal malpractice

Ann W. Latner, JD April 19, 2010

What happens if an attorney fails to notify his or her clients of a settlement offer?

Reaction to birth control pills costly

April 01, 2010

Headaches, nausea, and vomiting develop after a young mother switches contraception.

Malpractice insurance nightmare

Abby A. Jacobson, MS, PA-C March 16, 2010

When it comes to keeping your malpractice policy up to date, never assume anything.

Utah mulling bill to protect clinician apologies

Ann W. Latner, JD March 16, 2010

It has been shown that apologies can prevent lawsuits from being filed because the injured party feels that his or her grievances are being addressed and aired.

Medical malpractice payments declining

Ann W. Latner, JD March 16, 2010

Data show declining legal costs, declining payments to injured parties, and a low rate of compensation, even for cases resulting in death.

Illinois Supreme Court overturns damage caps

Ann W. Latner, JD March 16, 2010

According to the Court, the statutory cap "unduly encroaches upon the fundamentally judicial prerogative of determining whether a jury's assessment of damages is excessive within the meaning of the law."

Child causes inadvertent needle stick

Ann W. Latner, JD March 01, 2010

A woman is accidentally injured when her autistic foster son flinches before an injection.

California hospitals fined for preventable errors

Ann W. Latner, JD February 12, 2010

Since the penalty program went into effect, 134 fines have been levied against 90 hospitals.

Litigation fears impact clinician work hours

Ann W. Latner, JD February 12, 2010

According to a new study, clinicians work an average of 1.7 hours less per week when their expected medical liability risk rises by just 10%.

Decline in malpractice cases in Iowa debated

Ann W. Latner, JD February 12, 2010

Clinicians believe extra safety precautions in operating rooms, electronic medical records, and double-checks of records have all contributed to the decrease in malpractice cases