Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Blog

In the past ten years, the prescribing of anticonvulsant drugs has increased by 535 percent according to a recent study. Anticonvulsants are typically prescribed for back and neck pain. Millions of people suffer from lower back pain. In fact, it is the number one cause of disability. Naturally, those in pain seek relief, but they may not be getting that relief from anticonvulsants, and they may be putting themselves at risk for adverse effects. It is generally recommended that nonpharmacologic treatments and nonopioid drugs are prescribed for this kind of pain, rather than stronger analgesics, including anticonvulsants. This is according to clinical practice guidelines. The above-mentioned study has shown that common anticonvulsants simply do not work for chronic low back » Read More

When a patient suffers harm due to medical negligence, he or she can pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor, nurse, healthcare facility, or other responsible party. While a lawsuit will not alleviate the patient’s suffering, it will allow the patient to recover compensation for any damages incurred. The amount of compensation can be difficult to determine, as there are many factors to consider. How Damages Are Calculated Compensatory damages in a malpractice case fall into two categories: special damages and general damages. Special damages can be calculated based on financial losses that the victim has sustained or will sustain as a result of the injury or illness. A patient who has been harmed by medical negligence will likely » Read More

Medical devices come in all shapes, sizes, and functionalities, and they can be lifesavers to people with certain conditions. Often, medical devices remain inside the body to prevent a debilitating condition from developing or worsening. With regulatory processes becoming less strict, however, dangerous products are making their way into the market. When these defective medical devices fail, the consequences can be devastating. Such was the case for a Georgia woman who nearly died due to a defective filter. The patient had an IVC filter placed in her bloodstream to prevent blood clots; years later, she discovered that the device had fractured and debris was clogging her arteries and on its way to her heart. The debris was discovered when she » Read More

Researchers have recently revealed that there is an elevated risk of significant congenital malformations in fetuses after exposure to lithium in the first trimester. This is according to the largest study ever to explore the risk of birth defects in babies that have been exposed to lithium. Lithium is often prescribed for the treatment of bipolar disorder, a mood disorder characterized by episodes of mania followed by depression. Bipolar disorder affects approximately two percent of the population throughout the world, which translates to millions of sufferers. Although lithium is frequently prescribed, bipolar disorder is more commonly treated with anti-psychotic drugs in the United States. In the study, almost one-and-a-half times as many babies exposed to lithium during that first trimester » Read More

The risks for a cesarean delivery (c-sections) for both mothers and infants are well-documented. They include diabetes, asthma, and other breathing problems for the infant; and infection, pelvic pain, blood clots, cardiac complications and more for the mother. Even so, this procedure has historically been performed more in New Jersey than in most other states. But now, all the hospitals that deliver babies in New Jersey – forty-nine of them – have agreed to an initiative that will ultimately reduce the number of unnecessary c-sections. The initiative will be implemented through increased training, new clinical protocols and monitoring practices, and the use of doulas who can provide comprehensive birthing assistance. The goal is to reduce these procedures by almost one-third. » Read More

Cosmetic surgeries can have the same complications as any surgical procedure. Patients must decide if it is worth the risk to get the look that they want, but they may not always know what they are risking. A woman in Georgia recently suffered permanent brain damage after experiencing complications during liposuction. This kind of injury is rare for cosmetic procedures, but the circumstances of the procedure put her at risk. The 54-year-old patient wanted to look her best for her upcoming wedding, which was to take place in a few weeks. She visited a cosmetic surgeon in Lilburn, Georgia to discuss getting Botox and an additional anti-wrinkle treatment. While there, she was encouraged to get liposuction as well. In her » Read More