How Much Do Readmissions Cost Hospitals?
Based on the new standards outlined in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), hospitals all over Florida will pay millions in fines for high readmission rates. In 2013, almost two million Medicare patients were readmitted to hospitals within 30 days of their initial treatment, costing roughly $26 billion. Healthcare officials believe that they could save Medicare… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Misdiagnosis, Surgical Errors
Gainesville VA Hospital Pays Millions in Wrongful Death Lawsuits
The Veterans Affairs hospital in Gainesville paid and settled more wrongful death cases than almost any other medical center in Florida. The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville paid more than $5 million in wrongful death settlements in the decade following September 11. The Lake City medical center, operating in the same health system,… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis, Surgical Errors
How Common Are Hospital Infections?
At least six Florida hospitals are having trouble controlling their infection rate, putting patients at risk for serious health complications. Did My Hospital Cause My Infection? Every year, 1 in 25 hospital patients sustains an infection during treatment. Unfortunately, about 75,000 of those patients lose their lives. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) establishes infection… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Surgical Errors
Florida Couple Wins Birth Injury Lawsuit
A Florida couple sued their doctor and ultrasound technician for failing to tell them their son was disabled before he was born. The young couple was diligent about prenatal care and following doctor’s orders, so they were excited to welcome the new addition to their family. Tragically, the child was born catastrophically disabled, with no… Read more »
Posted in Birth Injury, Medical Malpractice, Medical Malpractice Trial, Medical Negligence, Misdiagnosis
Can a Hospital Force Me to Have a C-Section?
A pregnant woman is fighting a Florida hospital in court, after it threatened to report her to family services if she refused to have a C-section. The victim in this case had delivered three other children by C-section. She decided that for her fourth child, she would undergo a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), a… Read more »
Posted in Birth Injury, Medical Malpractice
Spinal Injury Center Sues Competitor Over Malpractice Claims
A Florida spine-injury center is suing a rival institute, accusing the doctors there of attracting patients by making false claims. The Laser Spine Institute is one of the busiest spinal injury centers in America, treating about 5,000 patients a year nationwide. The Bonati Institute, a rival spine-injury facility, filed a lawsuit accusing Laser Spine of… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Misdiagnosis, Surgical Errors
Is School Staff Responsible for Athlete’s Death?
The Florida Supreme Court is currently deciding whether or not schools have a duty to use potentially lifesaving medical devices on students. In 2008, an 18-year-old soccer player collapsed and stopped breathing during an intramural soccer game. The coach performed CPR on the boy, but it took almost 26 minutes for the paramedics to resuscitate… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Malpractice Trial, Medical Negligence
Severe Blood Clot May Leave Boxer Permanently Disabled
The family of an injured boxer is planning to sue the boxing commission and the ring doctors that supervised his fight, saying they allowed the fight to go on too long and failed to get him proper medical attention once the fight was over. The night of the boxing match, the fighter lost a 10-round… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice
Does Privatized Prison Healthcare Lead to Malpractice?
When Florida privatized prison healthcare, the move was supposed to save taxpayers millions. Unfortunately, the budget cuts came with substandard care, and for many inmates, their prison term became a death sentence. Doctors are alarmed, saying that prisons are abruptly swapping out prescription pain medication for over-the-counter substitutes. One inmate’s undiagnosed lung cancer was treated… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis
Supreme Court Rules Against Florida Doctor
A Florida Supreme Court judge has overturned a lower court ruling regarding doctor liability in medical malpractice cases. In 2003, a Florida man made an appointment with his doctor complaining of back pain. Dr. Willis Dickens diagnosed the patient with lumbar stenosis. The man then consulted a surgeon, Dr. Guillermo Pasarin, who operated on his… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Misdiagnosis
