Recent Blog Posts
Wisconsin Could be Next State to Declare Malpractice Damage Caps Unconstitutional
An issue that bears similarity to what happened right here in Florida is now up for debate in Wisconsin. At issue: whether or not caps on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in medical malpractice lawsuits are constitutional or not. In June of 2017, Florida’s State Supreme Court voted to put an end to certain… Read More »
New Documentary Will Explore the Perils and Difficulties of Medical Errors
For doctors, a simple mistake can end a person’s life. It’s part of the process of practicing medicine, and something all doctors are well aware of the moment they begin medical school. A documentary that is set to be released later this fall will help shine a light on both the practice of medicine… Read More »
Study Finds that Diagnosis Errors Result in the Majority of Malpractice Claims
A recent report published by Coverys indicates that the majority of medical malpractice claims are lawsuits brought about by patients whose diagnoses were missed by their doctors. While not every missed diagnosis rises to the standard of medical malpractice, diagnostic error resulted in more claims than any other kind of medical error, according to… Read More »
As Payouts for Malpractice Rise, Fewer Cases are Successfully Litigated
Between 1992 and 2014 the number of medical malpractice cases that have been successfully litigated has dropped 56%, according to researchers who have cataloged cases throughout that period. At the same time, the amount of payouts has increased around 23% with the average payout topping $350,000. These trends are believed to have been influenced… Read More »
Jacksonville Woman Alleges Malpractice after Doctors Find Needle in Her Spine
A Jacksonville woman, who is also the wife of a retired Navy veteran, has alleged medical malpractice against the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. She claims that while under anesthesia, part of a needle broke off in her spine 14 years prior when her first son was born. No one notified her about the… Read More »
Understaffed Hospitals Linked to Patient and Staff Injuries and Deaths
Florida’s health system is in a rough spot. With fewer nurses working longer shifts, a serious threat is posed to both patients and the nurses themselves. Recent studies conducted across the country show that many hospitals do not carry enough nursing staff to accommodate the number of patients they have. The results have ranged… Read More »
Are VA Hospitals More Likely to Injure Patients?
VA Hospitals have been targeted in the press for providing substandard care to their patients. They have also been targeted in an escalating number of lawsuits that are largely due to medical malpractice claims. Yearly settlements by the VA went from $98 million in 2011 to $338 million in 2015, a more than 300%… Read More »
Surgical Error vs. Medical Malpractice: Understanding the Difference
It may be difficult for those who are the victim of surgical error to understand, but not all surgical errors rise to the level of medical malpractice. For patients that sustained an injury during surgery, this means that they won’t always be able to collect damages. Medical errors happen from time to time because… Read More »
Is the State of Florida Partially to Blame for High Incidents of Medical Malpractice?
According to a report issued in November of 2017, there were over 24,000 cases of medical malpractice that were settled in the plaintiff’s favor over the last decade. But disciplinary actions were pursued against doctors in only 128 of those cases. In fact, some doctors have been permitted to continue practicing medicine despite having… Read More »
Arbitrary Limitations to Florida’s Wrongful Death Act Can Impact Malpractice Suits
Florida’s Wrongful Death Act is the subject of widespread controversy. This is due in large part to the seemingly arbitrary limitations placed on who is and is not allowed to recover damages on behalf of a deceased victim. Take the follow situation for example, a retired father of three independent, adult children (over the… Read More »
