An Ohio teenager who lost his legs as a result of a flesh eating bacterial infection has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against several doctors and two hospitals, alleging his condition wasn’t properly treated.

Steven Haxton was just 18 years old when he went to the emergency room at Riverside Methodist Hospital last March complaining of pain in his calf.  He was diagnosed with necrotizing fascitiitis, also known as flesh eating bacteria, however it is his claim that the condition was not properly treated in a timely manner leading to devastating results.

According to documents, several days following diagnosis Haxton’s condition was so serious that he was placed on life support and transported to Ohio State University Medical Center.  Although he recovered, he was forced to have both legs amputated to save his life, and has since faced 20 additional surgeries.

Haxton’s lawsuit alleges that doctors and staff at both medical facilities failed to provide him with a level of care that would meet accepted medical standards and he has suffered immeasurably as a result.

Necrotizing fascitiitis, and other types of bacterial infections, can wreak havoc on the body, resulting in further illness, amputation and death.  It is imperative that these types of infections be diagnosed and treated immediately in order to prevent the damages they can cause.  When they are not, medical malpractice may be to blame.  Only an experienced medical attorney will know for sure.

After a two week medical malpractice trial, a Texas jury has ruled in favor of the family of Stacy Meaux, who died after doctors and nurses at Christus Hospital St. Mary misdiagnosed her heart attack.  They awarded the plaintiffs $1.4 million for their loss.

Ms. Meaux reportedly went to the hospital emergency room because she was experiencing chest pains, tightness and discomfort.  After being seen by several triage nurses and Dr. Michael Peterson, she was told that she was in no immediate danger.  She was prescribed the drug Captopril, used to treat hypertension and heart failure, given a breathing treatment and discharged.

The following day, Meaux suffered a heart attack and died.

Court documents state that two EKG’s were performed on Meaux when she was in the ER, one of which was abnormal and her family claims should have raised a red flag to doctors about her risk level.  Additionally, the family claims that hospital staff failed to take into account other obvious risk factors for Meaux, such as her age and weight and the fact that she was a smoker and suffered from diabetes.

Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a heart attack is perhaps one of the most deadly forms of medical malpractice because it is almost always fatal to the patient.  The most common things that medical attorneys see when they are working with this type of case typically involve doctors or medical staff:

• Prematurely discharging a patient with chest pain
• Improperly interpreting EKG results
• Prescribing medication without first determining the effect it will have on the patient’s cardiovascular system

Sadly, all three of these things were present in the case of Ms. Meaux, and the results were devastating to her family.  If your loved one suffered a heart attack that you feel may have been misdiagnosed by a doctor, you may be entitled to compensation.  Contact a medical attorney to discuss your case.

A New York woman who is now disabled following a botched surgery has agreed to a settlement in her medical malpractice lawsuit against the surgeons and Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

In September 2003, Martha Meyer underwent a surgery to repair a perforated ulcer.  Less than a week later she was back in the hospital suffering from severe internal bleeding.  The blood loss ultimately caused brain damage, and other injuries including the loss of her teeth, one of her thumbs, and a portion of two of her fingers.

The case went to trial and testimony was heard from expert witnesses and members of Meyer’s family before the defense agreed to a confidential settlement.

Not all medical malpractice lawsuits end up in the hands of a jury.  On the contrary, a great many are settled for an agreed amount.  Some, as in this case, are settled in the midst of a courtroom trial, others are settled before they even end up in front of a judge.

Experienced medical attorneys know how to handle both situations, and can advise you what is best for your unique case.  If you feel you may be a victim of medical malpractice, the first step is contacting a medical lawyer to see if you too may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Receiving a diagnosis of cancer can be frightening and life-changing.  But what happens when the correct diagnosis is missed or delayed?  As many as 12% of the nearly 1.5 million cancer cases each year are missed by doctors.  That’s an estimated 180,000 people annually.  It’s no wonder there are a steady number of cancer misdiagnosis lawsuits filed each year.

Sometimes the disease is diagnosed as another condition altogether, other times it is missed entirely.  There are even cases in which a doctor incorrectly diagnoses a patient with cancer when they are not actually suffering from the disease.  In any of these situations, the impact can be nothing short of catastrophic.

Cancer misdiagnosis can occur in any number of ways, including:

• The doctor failed to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease
• The doctor failed to refer the patient to the appropriate specialist
• The doctor or specialist failed to order the proper tests
• The doctor did not properly biopsy the area in question
• The doctor or specialist failed to correctly interpret test results

The outcome of a cancer misdiagnosis can be anywhere from dangerous to life-threatening.  If a patient’s cancer is misdiagnosed as something different, or missed altogether, the delay in required treatment can mean further progression of the disease and even a shortening of the patient’s lifespan.  In cases where a patient is wrongly diagnosed with having cancer, they may be subjected to dangerous and unnecessary treatments or surgery, which can cause them further illness and harm.

People who have been a victim of cancer misdiagnosis, whatever the reason, may have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor or specialist responsible for the error.  Medical attorneys who represent these victims typically seek monetary damages for things such as medical expenses, lost wages, permanent disability or disfigurement, and pain and suffering.

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a California hospital claiming that Penny Louise Prevezich died as a direct result of the hospital staff’s negligence.

Penny’s daughter, who filed the suit, claims that her mother was left unattended in the waiting area of the hospital for 90 minutes after being transported there by paramedics for an undisclosed condition.  When Prevezich was finally checked on, she was found slouched over and not breathing.  She was in cardiac arrest and unfortunately, did not recover.  She was pronounced dead just over two hours following her arrival.

According to records, Ms. Prevezich’s “psychiatric history was well-known to the staff” at San Mateo Medical Center.  It’s unclear whether this had something to do with their lack of attention to her.  The wrongful death lawsuit states that the hospital has left Prevezich’s daughter “deprived of a kind and loving mother”.

Regardless of past circumstances, it is the duty of hospital personnel to treat each patient, and each visit, with care and priority.  Had the staff in San Mateo done so, Ms. Prevezich would likely still be alive today.

If you have been neglected by hospital staff, or have a loved one who suffered harm or death as a result of hospital negligence, you may have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit and hold those at fault accountable for their inaction.  The best way to know for sure is to contact a medical attorney.

The jury in an Alabama wrongful death lawsuit has returned a hefty verdict of $20 million filed on behalf of a woman who died during surgery as a result of anesthesia malpractice.

Paulett Pettaway Hall was about to undergo exploratory surgery to identify the cause of severe stomach pains when she received a dose of anesthesia.  The lawsuit claims that Dr. Randal Boudreaux and Nurse Don Ortega failed to identify several risk factors for Hall, which were all listed in her medical records.

Once Hall was anesthetized, she started to breathe bile into her lungs and died shortly thereafter.  Hall’s family claims that had medical staff paid attention to her records, and properly examined her abdomen, she’d be alive today.

According to a study in the medical journal Anesthesiology, there were more than 2,200 anesthesia deaths between 1999 and 2005.  Some of these deaths were a direct result of the anesthesia, and others, like in this case, were from anesthesia complications.

If you suspect that someone you love may have been a victim of anesthesia malpractice, an experienced medical attorney can help.

Susan Martin, of Columbia MO, and her husband, have successfully reached a settlement with two doctors from the University of Missouri Hospital whose seemingly simple medical error resulted in a full blown case of medical malpractice.  The doctors agreed to pay the Martins $2.5 million for the injuries and damages suffered by Susan.

The case began when Susan was hospitalized for treatment of dehydration relating to a gastrointestinal condition she suffered from.  The medical malpractice lawsuit claims that while giving her a nutritional supplement via IV, the doctors erroneously placed the IV line in the wrong vein.

These types of IV treatments are supposed to be done through the subclavian vein, which is located near the patient’s collar bone.  Instead of this, however, the doctors in question, Dr. J. Stephen Scott and first-year resident Timothy Geiger accidentally placed the IV line in Susan’s subclavian artery.

This seemingly simple medical error resulted in fatty acids traveling to Susan’s brain over a period of five straight days, which led to her suffering numerous strokes, severe neurological and cognitive damage and has left her physically and mentally disabled.

The doctors agreed to the settlement, although they both still adamantly deny being at fault and claim that Mrs. Martin’s strokes could have been caused by a pre-existing condition.

Sometimes what seems like the smallest of mistakes can lead to catastrophe, as in this case.  A misplaced IV needle, the slip of a scalpel, or the wrong drug being prescribed can all mean permanent disability or even death to the unsuspecting patient.  If you feel that you have suffered harm as a result of a simple medical error, you may have the right to be compensated for your injuries.  Contact a medical attorney today to discuss your case.

One of the country’s most prestigious hospitals has been named in a medical malpractice suit in the wrongful death of a 3 year old boy, and the jury has found against them awarding $15 million to the boy’s parents.

In April 2003, Jason Fox was brought to Children’s Hospital Boston by his parents to undergo a groundbreaking procedure to widen his pulmonary arteries.  Jason suffered from a birth defect called Tetralogy of Fallot, which affects blood flow through the heart.

Doctors in Fox’s native state of Pennsylvania treated the boy several times in his short life before referring him to the renowned Boston hospital for further work.

According to the medical malpractice lawsuit, Jason suffered complications just hours after the procedure.  He suffered a seizure and it was discovered during a CAT scan that some of the contrast dye used during the procedure had leaked into the boy’s brain.

Following the seizure, Jason was then transferred to the ICU and underwent two MRI’s to gauge the extent of any brain damage suffered.  At that point, it was discovered that a small piece of metal, likely from a medical instrument, was lodged in the boy’s brain.

According to the wrongful death lawsuit, Jason went into the hospital “a playful and active little boy” and left unable to walk or speak.   He ultimately died in December 2004.

It took the jury four days to deliberate and reach their decision.  The award was to account for $5 million for Jason’s pain and suffering, $5 million for the child’s wrongful death, and $5 million to Jason’s parents for the loss of their child.  Because of an agreement made prior to the conclusion of the trial, however, the total verdict will be reduced, although it is not clear how much.

Some medical errors can result in the ultimate sacrifice - a human life.  If you have lost a loved one and feel it may be due to a doctor or hospital’s negligence, get in touch with a medical attorney to find out for sure.  You may be entitled to compensation for your loss.

The parents of an Illinois child whose leg was amputated shortly after birth as a result of hospital malpractice has won their lawsuit and been awarded a hefty settlement of $22.3 million.

In May 1999 Jake Tinman, now 10 years old, was born with a congenital heart defect that required a procedure to insert a shunt.  The medical malpractice lawsuit claims that due to a series of delays and negligent care by hospital staff, the child was forced to have his left leg amputated.  Court documents claim that the leg was improperly dressed after surgery.  Tinman’s parents also claim that the delay in treatment their son received is the cause of his developmental delays and cognitive deficiencies.

Among the accusations of negligence, the lawsuit claims that hospital staff:

• Failed to make a timely diagnosis of the patient’s shunt problem
• Did not properly apply the pressure dressing to the patient’s leg
• Failed to remove the pressure dressing from the patient’s leg in a timely manner
• Improperly subjected the patient to cardiac catheterization
• Failed to monitor the patient’s pulse
• Improperly destroyed an echocardiogram

The jury that heard the case sided with the Tinmans and found the hospital and its staff negligent in their treatment of Jake.  The trial lasted just three weeks.

Hospital malpractice is serious business.  Jake is lucky to have survived his ordeal, but now he and his family must deal with a host of medical problems that otherwise wouldn’t exist had he been properly cared for by the medical professionals that were in charge of his treatment.  Thankfully in this case, the hospital is being held responsible for their actions (and inactions).  If you have been harmed by a hospital doctor or nurse, you too may be eligible for compensation for your damages.  Contact a medical attorney right away to find out more.

The death of a 10 year old British boy is being blamed on medical malpractice and has caused quite a stir among the medical community there and across the globe.

Kieran Howard’s problems started with a simple sneeze at his home last March, which inadvertently caused a tumor in his brain to burst.  He was taken to the hospital where, instead of being properly tested and monitored, he was made to wait some 12 hours and moved between three medical facilities before he finally died as a result of his condition.

Coroner, Dr. Fiona Wilcox, who performed the autopsy on the boy says he would be alive today had his condition been properly diagnosed in time and the life-saving surgery he required had been performed.  Dr. Wilcox cited the hospital staff with neglect, and called the whole situation a “gross failure”.

Neither the hospital, nor its staff has offered any explanation as to why Howard was so severely neglected.  There is also no report yet on whether the family plans to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, although it is more likely than not that they will.

Hospitals are supposed to be a place that we can go for help - and the doctors who work there are supposed to be trained and ready to handle any emergency situations that arise.  Unfortunately, sometimes there is a failure to do so, and the results can be injury or even death.  Have you or someone you love been harmed by an emergency room physician?  Did you suffer an injury due to hospital staff’s neglect?  If you have, then you may be entitled to compensation for your damages.  It is in your best interest to contact a medical attorney right away to find out more.

Source: www.thisislondon.co.uk