Increased Risk of Blood Clots for NuvaRing Users

medmalattorney — Thu, 17 May 2012 20:05:26 +0000

By Mark Favaloro, Virginia Medical Malpractice Attorney

An attorney with the Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton law firm wrote about the potential health risks for women who use the NuvaRing for birth control. Studies have been conducted indicating a dramatically higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolisms, strokes, and other horrific side effects. To learn more, read an in-depth article here…

NuvaRing Side Effects – Learns What They Are and What Rights You May Have Against the Manufacturer

About the Editors: The VA-NC medical malpractice attorneys at Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton include medical and surgical malpractice lawyers licensed in both Virginia and Carolina. Our medical/hospital malpractice focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling medical malpractice cases involving hospital and doctors’ mistakes, as well as nursing home abuse and neglect. Check out our case results to see our track record of success in medical malpractice lawsuits, and also be sure to read our free medical malpractice reports Top 10 Tips From a Medical Malpractice Insider and Top 5 Surgical Errors. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. They, along with fellow attorney Randy Appleton, have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers since 2010, an honor fewer than 5 percent of outstanding attorneys receive.

Birth Injury Results in Multi-Million Dollar Jury Verdict

medmalattorney — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:44:10 +0000

By Rick Shapiro, Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Virginia

An attorney with the Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton law firm wrote about a massive $78 million jury verdict that was awarded to a mother whose young son suffered a birth injury and is now struggling with cerebral palsy. To learn more, read the story here…

$78 Million Jury Verdict in Cerebral Palsey Medical Malpractice Case

Abbott Laboratories to Pay $1.5 Billion for Illegally Marketing Depakote to Nursing Homes

medmalattorney — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:00:12 +0000

By Jim Lewis, Nursing Home Abuse Attorney in Virginia

Mark Favaloro, an attorney with the Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton law firm, recently wrote about Abbott Laboratories’ guilty plea regarding the illegal marketing of Depakote (divalproex sodium) to nursing homes. To learn more, read “Pharmaceutical Company Fined $1.5 Billion for Wrongfully Promoting Depakote to Nursing Homes.”

Family Wins $78.5M Birth Injury Award Against Hospital

medmalattorney — Mon, 07 May 2012 14:07:44 +0000

By Jim Lewis, Birth Injury Attorney in North Carolina

In his latest post to our firm’s Carolina personal injury attorneys’ website, my colleague Mark Favaloro reports on a significant victory for a Pennsylvania (PA) family whose now 3-year-old daughter suffered severe brain damage after being deprived of oxygen for an extended period during delivery. Jurors hearing evidence in the civil birth injury trial determined that the hospital was at fault for causing the girl’s cerebral palsy because it provided the mother’s doctor with inadequate ultrasound equipment. To read more, click over to “Cerebral Palsy Blamed on Botched Ultrasound Leads to $78.5M Jury Award for Family.”

EJL

Nursing Home Fall Leads to $6.5M Award for Victim

medmalattorney — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:58:31 +0000

By Emily Mapp Brannon, Nursing Home Neglect Attorney in Virginia

In his latest blog post to our Virginia personal injury lawyers’ website, my colleague Mark Favaloro reports on a $6.5 million jury award for an 84-year-old woman who suffered serious injuries in a fall at a Roanoke, Virginia, nursing home. The owner of the long-term care facility was ordered to pay $5 million in punitive damages for neglecting to use bed alarms to protect patients. To read more, click over to “Victim in Roanoke, VA Nursing Home Fall Wins $6.5M Verdict.”

EJL

Greensboro, North Carolina Woman Allegedly Abused in Nursing Home

medmalattorney — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 21:04:19 +0000

On April 13, 2012, a North Carolina woman received a distressing call. WGHP reported that the Maple Grove Health and Rehabilitation Center in Greensboro, NC told her they believe her mother had been abused. Upon her arrival, the woman saw bruises on her 86-year-old mother’s head. While the North Carolina nursing home did not know how it happened or who may have caused the abuse, it appears that they are trying to find out. They told the woman they would be willing to move the resident to another long-term care facility, but she declined, saying her mother’s doctor could only go to Maple Grove.

It is commendable that the nursing home contacted the resident’s daughter and is trying to determine how it happened. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Nursing home neglect and abuse often go unnoticed because the nursing home does not tell the family and the victims are unable to communicate. We hope that it is quickly discovered who caused the injuries so that the injured resident, and all of the other nursing home residents can be safe again in the home.

You can help protect your loved ones from nursing home neglect and abuse by watching for the signs discussed in this article from an experienced NC nursing home attorney. If you suspect abuse, contact a North Carolina nursing home law firm right away to discuss what steps need to be taken to protect your loved ones and potentially be compensated for their pain and suffering.

West Virginia Birth Injury Lawsuit Settled for $5.3 Million

medmalattorney — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 23:24:06 +0000

By Mark Favaloro, Medical Malpractice Attorney

The parents of a baby with cerebral palsy have been awarded a settlement of $5.3 million this week, after the East Coast hospital agreed to settle. Though settlements of this size are not uncommon for birth injury suits, no amount of compensation can ever make up for the life-changing injury of a newborn baby. Sadly, medical malpractice cases are all too common in the United States.

In this situation, the plaintiff alleged that the hospital did not provide enough medical attention to the situation at hand. The mother visited the hospital several times throughout her pregnancy but still delivered a full eight weeks early. She and her family believe the early delivery could have been prevented if the hospital staff had taken appropriate measures.

In order to win a medical malpractice suit like this one, plaintiffs have to prove that a healthcare provider or institution failed or neglected to provide standard treatment or care. The family in this case must have proved their case, as the hospital chose to settle for $5.3 million. Medical evidence is often the deciding factor in medical malpractice suits. Presenting medical evidence properly can lead to a more favorable, significant settlement.

If you or someone you love has suffered an injury through neglect or a doctor’s mistake, give us a call or visit our website. I’ll be happy to discuss your case and help you pursue a claim. Our VA injury lawyers will make sure you are informed throughout the legal process and will work tirelessly on your behalf.

About the Editors: The VA-NC medical malpractice attorneys at Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton include medical and surgical malpractice lawyers licensed in both Virginia and Carolina. Our medical/hospital malpractice focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling medical malpractice cases involving hospital and doctors’ mistakes, as well as nursing home abuse and neglect. Check out our case results to see our track record of success in medical malpractice lawsuits, and also be sure to read our free medical malpractice reports Top 10 Tips From a Medical Malpractice Insiderand Top 5 Surgical Errors. Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. They have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers since 2010, an honor fewer than 5 percent of outstanding attorneys receive.

Putting Profits Above People: The History of Yaz and Yasmin

medmalattorney — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:16:30 +0000

By Jim Lewis, Medical Malpractice Lawyer

An attorney with the Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton law firm wrote about the dubious history behind Yaz and Yasmin, the dangerous birth control pills that have adversely effected thousands of women across the country. Some side effects associated with Yaz and Yasmin include blood clots, pancreatitis, nausea, depression, and so forth. To learn more, read the story here…

Article Reveals History of Yaz and Yasmin Steeped in Falsehoods and Misrepresentations

Air Force Airman Files Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Challenging Feres Doctrine

medmalattorney — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:38:46 +0000

by Rick Shapiro, VA Medical Malpractice Attorney

The brave men and women who serve in our military risk their lives to provide protection to all Americans in the U.S. and overseas. It hardly seems fair that the U.S. government fails to protect them when they need it most – when they have been injured.

In the 1950s, the federal government instituted the Feres Doctrine, which prohibits service members from taking legal action against the government for any injuries they sustain. This even unjustly includes injuries caused by errors made by doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel at VA hospitals and other medical facilities provided by the government to those serving in the military. Numerous people have challenged this unfair, outdated doctrine, but no one has yet to be successful in having it overturned.

The most recent service member to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the federal government is an airman from the Air Force in Texas. On July 9, 2009, he was wheeled into the operating room at David Grant Medical Center on the Travis Air Force Base in California to have his gall bladder removed. During the surgery, his aorta was cut by one of the doctors, causing him to eventually lose two-thirds of the blood in his body. After nine hours of trying to remedy the situation, the military hospital finally sent him to a civilian hospital. Unfortunately, due to the military medical staff’s negligence and poor judgment, the victim had to have both of his legs amputated. A medical malpractice attorney has filed a lawsuit on his behalf, once again challenging the Feres Doctrine that the federal government hides behind this type of situation. The lawsuit is asking for over $50 million in damages for the victim and his wife.

While this most recent case is based in Texas, it is still very relevant to the large number of service members and their families that live in Virginia who are also unfairly penalized by this doctrine. Hopefully this case will bring about the abolishment of, or at least a significant change in the unjust Feres Doctrine.

Although taking on the federal government may seem like a hopeless case, there are times when the Feres Doctrine does not apply, such as when a family member of a military person is a victim of medical malpractice at a VA hospital. If you find yourself in this type of situation, be sure to contact an experienced Virginia medical malpractice attorney who has extensive knowledge on this topic before deciding whether or not to take legal action.

Some basic information from a trusted VA medical malpractice attorney regarding the Feres Doctrine can be found here.

Woman Files Medical Malpractice Suit against Virginia Hospital

medmalattorney — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 16:59:54 +0000

A Virginia woman has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against multiple nurses and health care providers from Winchester Medical Center in Winchester, VA. According to nvdaily.com, the woman was admitted to the hospital at the end of March 2010 for partial bowel obstruction. As is routine with many hospital stays, an IV was inserted into the woman’s arm. A couple days after she was discharged, she noticed the IV site had become red and swollen. She returned to the hospital and was diagnosed with streptococcus pyrogenes in her blood. This type of infection is commonly found in the throat and is known as strep throat, but finding it in the bloodstream is very rare. It was determined that she had not suffered from strep throat before, during, or after her initial stay in the hospital, so she is claiming in a medical malpractice lawsuit that she was infected by the IV.

IV sites can be infected in a variety of ways with many different types of diseases, some of which can be deadly. Improper sterilization of equipment, unsterile work areas, and unwashed hands can all lead to diseases being spread in a hospital or medical office. If you have been infected with a virus or disease while staying in a hospital or visiting another medical facility, it is important to contact an experienced Virginia medical malpractice attorney right away so that the statute of limitations – the time you have to file a lawsuit – does not run out. You may be entitled to a financial award to compensate you for lost income and pain and suffering.

This guide, authored by a trusted VA medical malpractice attorney, provides basic information regarding medical malpractice and will be helpful to anyone considering filing an insurance claim, hiring an attorney or filing a lawsuit.