FBI Investigates Alleged Fraud against Surgeon
A federal investigation of Dr. Aria Sabit of Detroit has turned up intense suspicion that Sabit has defrauded the Medicare system for millions of dollars. A complaint opened in federal court referenced five former patients, four of whom received spinal fusion surgeries that were unnecessary. Insurance companies were billed and Sabit’s practice received payments from… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Surgical Errors
Am I Receiving Just Compensation for Malpractice?
Victims of medical malpractice are receiving less and less compensation for their troubles. Since 1992, every state has experienced a massive dropoff in the amount of claims that physicians have paid. Nationally, doctors have paid malpractice victims 57 percent less than they used to. The average number of claims against physicians has fallen, as well…. Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice
Are My Upcoming Medical Procedures Necessary?
A total of 28 lawsuits have been filed against Community Hospital of Lake County, Indiana for medical malpractice, including three wrongful death lawsuits. The lawsuits allege severe misconduct by Dr. Arvind Gandhi, Dr. Satyaprakash Makam and Dr. Wail Asfour, all Cardiology Associates with Community Hospital. The hospital has been quiet about the accusations, inviting speculation… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice
Why Did California’s Proposition 46 Fail?
In 1975, California created a cap for payouts in medical malpractice cases at $250,000, which has not been adjusted since. Proposition 46 was an answer to this. It would raise the cap to $1.1 million and index it to the rate of inflation. When proposed, the bill garnered huge support. Early polls indicated 58 percent… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice
Are Cruise Lines Accountable for the Actions of Doctors Onboard?
Striking down the precedents set by the 1988 decision of Barbetta v. S/S Bermuda Star, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has opened up the possibility of suing a cruise line for medical malpractice committed by doctors aboard their ships. The “Barbetta rule,” as it came to be known, was created in a time when… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice
Will Reforming Our Malpractice Systems Lead To a Reduction in Health Care Spending?
Proponents of malpractice reform say that changes will reduce the cost of healthcare, but an evidence-based viewpoint shows that this way of thinking is limited in scope and fails to address several key points in the debate about reform. The basis of the pro-reform argument is the notion of “defensive medicine,” which suggests that doctors,… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice
What Caused Joan Rivers’ Death?
Joan Rivers died on September 4, 2014. At the time, coroners claimed that complications during surgery caused the 81-year-old comedian’s passing. Now, more reports are emerging about potential malpractice that occurred before her death. How Did Joan Rivers Die? Rivers initially underwent a minor vocal cord operation. As reports from the Department of Health and… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Surgical Errors
Which Florida Hospitals Are the Safest?
The Leapfrog Group, a business-backed information group focused on patient safety, released a new analysis for Florida hospitals. Their report rated almost half of them an A on error prevention. Brandon Regional Medical Center is Leapfrog’s most-improved hospital, jumping from a D to an A in just six months. The suburban Tampa facility is part… Read more »
Posted in Medical Malpractice, Medical Negligence, Medication Errors, Misdiagnosis, Surgical Errors
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
