Lake Charles Personal Injury Wrongful Death Attorneys Blog

Distractions of surgical team can greatly increase medical errors

2013-05-16T18:44:05Z

People go into routine and emergency surgeries everyday across the country. Patients expect their doctors to be in peak mental conditions and ready for complications that could arise. However, because a surgeon's job and the jobs of those that assist in surgeries need to be so precise, any small distraction can result in a very dangerous situation.

A study was recently conducted that found surgeons of all experience levels can become distracted from various operating room noises. Whether it is a phone ringing, music that the team is listening to, or coworkers chatting in the operating room, all of these things can increase the risk that a surgeon will perform an error.

]]> Medical errors during surgeries can result in significant complications and even death. Patients' lives might be on the line, so it is important that surgeons are as free from distraction as possible. According to other studies, surgery errors might also increase during daytime surgeries if the doctor had less than six hours of sleep because of a previous night where they were on call.

These errors are completely avoidable. Patients should have the quality of health care that they expect when they have a surgery. While there are some risks with every surgery, doctors should understand their abilities and make sure themselves and surgical staff limit distractions in the operating room. This can help save lives and hopefully prevent suffering and further injury to a person who has a surgery. Errors could result in a lifetime of pain and expensive medical treatments to correct a problem.

Source: Scripps Howard News Service, "From ringing phones to sleep deprivation: Distractions increase surgeons' potential for mistakes," Lee Bowman, May 16, 2013

Even the best doctors can make errors

2013-05-09T13:00:01Z

When people think about a medical malpractice issues, they often remember horror stories they have heard in the news where a patient had an instrument or other material left inside of them during surgery. Although these instances of medical malpractice get far more attention, misdiagnosis, and delayed or incorrect diagnoses happen far more frequently and might be just as detrimental to a patient's health.

Frequently, when a person believes that they are suffering from some sort of medical issue, they might do a little research on their own, and wait a week to see if the problem resolves itself. When a person goes to the doctor there might be true concern that there is something wrong.

]]> If a person is told that their medical problem is minor, or the doctor can't diagnose it, it doesn't necessarily mean that the problem will go away or is nothing to worry about. Sometimes it might be wise to seek a second opinion. However, many people trust that their doctors understand their medical history and are thorough in their tests, so they might simply believe the doctor and try to make accommodations for pain or discomfort.

If a person finds out later that what they thought was just a nuisance was actually a major medical problem, their health might have already rapidly deteriorated. This might end up resulting in more invasive surgeries than might have been necessary with an earlier diagnosis, and can cost a patient much more money if their insurance doesn't cover the costs.

Source: AARP Blog, "Doctors’ Errors: They Happen More Than You Think (And Can Hurt You)," Sandra G. Boodman, May 7, 2013

Driver sues Louisiana hospital after ambulance, car accident

2013-05-02T18:18:02Z

People that businesses would call professional drivers are on the road every day. These drivers are expected to have special training, specific to the vehicles that they drive, and observe all of the laws of the road. Sometimes these vehicles have more blind spots than normal cars or they are much larger than passenger vehicles, increasing the hazard that these vehicles pose to the public.

A man is suing a Louisiana hospital and an ambulance driver after he said an ambulance owned by the hospital rear-ended his car. The man said he now suffers from back, neck, head and shoulder pain as a result of the Louisiana car accident. Many times accidents that jolt a person's body can result in severe pain.

]]> Depending on the severity of a person's injuries, they might be forced to miss work, therefore losing wages while they recover. This loss of income can be difficult for some people and families to manage, especially if they are faced with large medical expenses.

Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney in Louisiana can help a person understand what rights they might have and can help them seek compensation for their injuries.

Compensation might not be able to undo the injuries that were caused by another person's negligence, but it can help ensure the person is able to afford the help that they might need after an accident. Sometimes people might also not be able to enjoy the activities they once could do, and this might be taken into account during a personal injury lawsuit.

Source: Louisiana Record, "Jefferson Parish Hospital sued over ambulance accident," Kyle Barnett, May 2, 2013

Distracted driving, car accidents from technology can be reduced

2013-04-24T21:17:13Z

There are two types of technology in cars: tech that distracts us while driving, and tech that helps us drive more effectively and safely. These two distinctions are important to make when considering a new vehicle. Many of the vehicles of the future, and some that are already on the market, will be equipped with high tech devices, from GPS to sensors that detect when a person might hit something.

Technology such as GPS devices, music players, and integrated phone and messaging technology might be all the talk in the car industry, but what cost does this have in lives and injuries. According to a report, nearly 3,000 people died in 2011 because of distracted driving, and 387,000 were injured. These numbers show that more can and should be done to prevent distracted driving car accidents, and that is what the Department of Transportation hopes to accomplish with new guidelines.

]]> The guidelines that the DOT will release are related to devices that manufacturers could install in vehicles. They want manufacturers to consider making devices that would require a driver's attention for no more than two seconds at a time for a task, in order to minimize the distraction the device causes.

Although these guidelines aren't mandatory to follow, they could help raise awareness among manufacturers of the need for more simplistic devices. No matter what types of guidelines are in place, it is still important that driver pay attention to the road and work to reduce distracted driving related accidents. Drivers are primarily responsible for the use of their cars and the technology they choose to pay attention to instead of focusing on driving.

Source: CNN, "'Two second' safety guideline for cars of the future," Mike M. Ahlers, April 24, 2013

The painful truth: hospitals profit from medical malpractice

2013-04-18T15:00:05Z

According to a new study, patients that have complications after their surgeries or hospital stays can result in higher revenue for a hospital than patients who have no complications. The study looked at how much money insurers are charged for patients who go home and don't have to return to the hospital for treatment of complications compared to patients that do have to return. Researchers found that insurance companies were charged an average of $30,500 more for patients who returned with complications.

Generally, these charges were only higher for private insurance companies and not for Medicaid, Medicare or people who paid out of pocket. This could be because these three situations often prompt complaints with the hospital, whereas insurer might just pay the negotiated bill. Even if a private insurer covers the additional costs of a hospital stay because of medical malpractice mistakes, the person's stay quadruples, on average. Hospital errors can result in a longer recovery and loss of income for a patient who can't work during their recovery.

]]> This study has prompted some to call for industry changes, especially from insurance companies which will frequently pay for substandard care and errors that could have been prevented. If a person is forced to miss work, and therefore losing income because of a medical error, they might be wise to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.

An attorney can help a person seek compensation for their injuries. This compensation can help ensure a person can get the care that they need and deserve. It can also help pay a person for the loss of income they might experience during their extended period of recovery.

Source: New York Times, "Hospitals Profit From Surgical Errors, Study Finds," Denise Grady, April 16, 2013

Shrapnel from airbags could cause wrongful death, injuries

2013-04-11T20:18:23Z

Most cars on the road have airbags. These are devices that were meant to help protect people in the event of an accident. One airbag manufacturer, Takata Corp., has made millions of airbags for car manufacturers around the world. Recently, faulty airbags have been reported in many different makes and models of cars with airbags from this manufacturer. The reports indicate that some of these airbags could explode, sending metal shrapnel into the car, driver and passengers.

According to reports, the airbags are now being recalled in more than 3 million cars, from four car manufacturers, so far. Because these airbags are used by so many automakers around the globe, there could be many more recalls to come. While no deaths have been linked to these airbags with exploding propellant canisters, a dangerous explosion like this could contribute to wrongful deaths if a person doesn't hear of the recall on their vehicle and is involved in an accident with airbag deployment.

]]> Although these airbags only malfunction in the event of an accident where the airbag is triggered, people's lives could still be put at risk. What might have been a minor accident could turn very deadly because of a defect in manufacturing.

People who lose a loved one because of negligence might be wise to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who handles wrongful death cases. They can help a family understand their rights and help them seek justice for their loved one. Compensation might be sought to help a family plan for their financial future and help to properly honor their loved one.

Source: LA Times, "Huge recall for Honda, Toyota, more: Airbags can spray shrapnel," Jerry Hirsch, April 11, 2013

-Our law firm handles wrongful death cases in Lake Charles. Please visit our website to learn more.

Fatal accident in Louisiana could be wrongful death

2013-04-04T17:06:47Z

When someone loses a loved one in a tragic and unexpected way, such as a fatal car or truck accident, they might be left with many questions. Why did the accident happen? Who is to blame? Could anything more have been done? These questions might be difficult to answer, but it is important for a family to understand the answers to these questions.

Earlier this week, a two vehicle truck accident resulted in the death of a passenger. A truck turned in front of the vehicle the victim was riding in, resulting in the crash. The person that is accused of causing the accident was charged with failure to yield. While this criminal charge may help establish whether the person caused the accident, it does little to help the family of the victim.

]]> A family of a fatal accident victim might have questions not only about the accident, but also about their future. If the person who was killed in the accident was a primary income earner for the family, or substantially supported the family, they might soon suffer from financial hardship. While life insurance or other forms of compensation may help the family in the short term, their long-term financial goals might be compromised.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help a family who loses a loved one in a fatal Louisiana accident understand their rights and work to seek compensation for the loss of their loved one. While compensation can't undo an accident, it can help the family establish a secure financial plan for their future.

Source: Beauregard Daily News, "Accident on La. 10 turns fatal," Alix Kunkle, April 2, 2013

-Our law firm handles wrongful death cases in Louisiana. Please visit our website to learn more.

Longer shifts might be safer for new doctors than shorter hours

2013-03-28T19:27:05Z

Patient safety is supposed to be at the forefront of medical decisions and health care policies. That is one of the reason a medical oversight board reduced the number of hours a new doctor can work in one shift. New medical residents, which are new doctors, had their hours reduced from a maximum of 30 hours per shift to just 16 hours. While this was meant to help reduce the number of errors that doctors make due to fatigue.

Instead of decreasing the number of errors, two recent studies confirmed that the shorter hours actually increased the error rate of new doctors by 15 to 20 percent. It isn't really clear why the shorter hours led to an increase in errors, but it is definitely something that will likely be studied further and might need immediate action by health care officials. One possible reason may be because the responsibilities of these new doctors and medical students weren't reduced, despite a reduction in the hours they were allowed to work.

]]> This is a major increase, and it should be addressed by teaching hospitals across the country. Many times people turn to teaching hospital for some of the best medical care in the world. These hospitals sometimes receive research funding and have some of the newest techniques in medicine. Despite excellent reputations, hospitals and doctors can sometimes be subject to bureaucratic constraints that lead to patient safety issues.

Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney might be a wise decision for people who are injured because of medical malpractice. While a personal injury lawsuit might not be able to undo an injury or illness caused by negligent medical care, it can help a patient cover expenses that result from the incident.

Source: USA Today, "Studies: Residents make more errors on shorter shifts," Janice Lloyd, March 25, 2013

-Our law firm handles personal injury lawsuits caused by medical malpractice. Please visit our website to learn more.

Cell transplant could be key to repairing spinal cord injuries

2013-03-21T21:11:44Z

Spinal cord injuries are often devastating. Many of them can lead to at least partial paralysis, if not entire paralysis of certain parts of a person's body. This means the person may have to rely on help for daily tasks that many of us take for granted. If the person isn't able to work because of their injuries, this can be devastating to a family's income and the person's self esteem.

A medical research study for spinal cord injuries that started earlier this year has passed a 30-day critical waiting period to declare success. Researchers now say that they have successfully transplanted Schwann cells from a nerve in a man's leg into his spinal cord. This procedure will hopefully lead to at least some restored function for patients that experienced paralysis. While only 8 people will be a part of the clinical trial, researchers hope that this study will pave the way toward curing paralysis.

]]> The study also hopes that Schwann cell transplants can one day lead to cures for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Because of the success of the initial transplant, the researchers are now seeking more patients to participate in the study.

While there are specific criteria for a person to be enrolled in the study, the success that the researchers have had so far is giving hope to many other patients who are not eligible to participate. With 1.3 million people living with paralysis in the United States, a cure or even the ability to restore some function in a patient could improve the lives of many people.

Source: Sun Sentinel, "Doctors seek new subjects after first successful cell transplant," Diane C. Lade, March 14, 2013

-Our law firm handles cases involving spinal cord injuries. Please visit our website to learn more.

Truck accident prompts feds to issue alert

2013-03-14T18:09:04Z

Federal safety authorities are reminding states to be vigilant in inspecting commercial vehicles and ensuring truck drivers are practicing safe driving habits. This comes after a major commercial vehicle accident resulted in the death of six people earlier this month. Federal authorities say that the company involved in the trucking accident has had multiple safety related violations in the past, but still had a better than average safety record based on national data.

This means that many trucking companies can have many more safety violations than the 17 that this company had and still be on the road. There are many regulations on truck drivers throughout the country, but accidents such as this one still occur all too often. Although there are regulations in place, it is still up to the individual truck driver to ensure that they are practicing safe driving habits and following the regulations in place.

]]> Commercial vehicle drivers in Louisiana and throughout the country are often working long shifts, trying to deliver their products as quickly as possible so they can go home or pick up another job to earn more money. Many times drivers are paid by the mile, meaning the farther they drive in a shorter period of time, the more money they can make.

This can lead to catastrophic accidents. People deserve to be safe on the roads, and companies must ensure their drivers are putting safety at the top of their priority list. The size of many commercial vehicles and the long hours that the drivers work put everyone on the road at risk of severe injury or death.

Source: The Detroit News, "Michigan firm in crash had 17 tickets since '11," Brett Barrouquere and Steve Karnowski, March 5, 2013

-Our law firm handles Louisiana commercial vehicle accidents. Please visit our website to learn more.

Male breast cancer may often be misdiagnosed

2013-03-07T20:29:43Z

Breast cancer can be a devastating diagnosis. Over 230,000 women are diagnosed with the disease each year in the United States. Just over 2,200 men are diagnosed with the disease. Although this disease rarely affects men compared to women, the lower number of diagnoses may be detrimental to accurately diagnosing the men who do have breast cancer.

Many times men are quick to ignore a lump in their breast. This is because people don't often associate breast cancer as a disease that men get. Because men don't often get the disease, they think it is just something else, until other symptoms occur. At that point it is possible the cancer has gotten to a worse stage than when it was initially discovered. When a patient isn't aware of a disease that they have it is important that doctors are able to properly address a patient's concern and accurately diagnose the disease.

]]> Because this disease is so rare, even doctors are reluctant to say it is breast cancer. Some might just disregard the lump as a mass, or something to keep their eye on. If a doctor doesn't understand a disease they might fail to diagnose the disease or misdiagnose it as something else.

Breast cancer often involves very invasive surgeries or intensive treatment. Having a disease such as breast cancer misdiagnosed could mean a person doesn't receive the right treatment and maybe even has intensive surgery that wasn't actually required. It is important that patients ask questions and insist on second opinions if they believe they aren't getting the correct answer.

Source: Washington Post, "Because male breast cancer is rare, many cases aren't caught till later stages," Laura Hambleton, Feb. 25, 2013

-Our law firm handles medical malpractice cases in Lake Charles. Please visit our website to learn more.

Fatal teen car accidents increased in first half of 2012

2013-02-27T21:30:31Z

Teens are a closely watched group of drivers. Many times teens that are just starting to drive get behind the wheel with their friends, cell phones and a large boost of confidence in their increased responsibilities. These three things can be a deadly combination. Teens often overestimate their ability to handle fast speeds and multitask behind the wheel. To combat this, many states have adopted a form of the graduated driver license. This added restrictions for new drivers and may have helped produce eight straight years of declines in the number of teen driving deaths up until 2011.

Last year, the percentage of teen driving deaths skyrocketed in the first six months. Data from the last half of the year is still being calculated, but if the trend spread through the entire year, it would mean two years of increases. Not only did teen deaths increase last year, but so did deaths of all aged drivers. The increase might be because of distracted driving from increased cell phone use, but also from more people being on the road because of increased job availability and more teens can afford to drive places.

]]> When on the road, drivers need to remember that their primary responsibility is to concentrate on driving. There shouldn't be any secondary responsibilities. Texting, arguing with siblings, or changing songs on their smart phone shouldn't be performed while driving. All of these things increase the time a person has their eyes off the road.

These new data show that the positive effects of the graduated driver license may have reached its potential. All drivers share the responsibility in keeping the roads safe.

Source: USA Today, "Deaths surge among youngest drivers," Larry Copeland, Feb. 26, 2013

-Our law firm handles car accident cases in Lake Charles. Please visit our website to learn more.

Two wrongfully killed in suspected Louisiana drunk driving accident

2013-02-21T19:19:28Z

A woman from a neighboring state has been arrested will likely face multiple charges after her car slammed into the back of a vehicle stopped on the shoulder of the highway earlier this month. The woman is believed to have been intoxicated at the time of the accident that killed two people. The Louisiana State Police said the woman rear-ended the parked car, and both of the cars immediately cause fire.

It took nearly an hour for the fire to be extinguished, and the two victims were found in their car. It's unclear why the vehicle was stopped on the side of the road, but it is the responsibility of motorists to pay attention for potential hazards on the road in front of them. When a person is drunk driving, they put others at risk of being injured or killed.

]]> If a family loses loved ones because of the negligent actions of another person in Louisiana, they might be wise to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help the family understand their rights and possibly seek compensation. When a family loses their loved ones, they might also suffer from financial hardship.

While money isn't the first thing most families think of after a wrongful death, they might soon realize how much they depended on that family member for the family income. A wrongful death lawsuit can help a family pay for their monthly expenses, funeral costs and future financial obligations. Another person's negligence shouldn't put a family's financial future at risk.

Source: KHOU, "Houston woman faces charges after fiery crash kills two in Louisiana," Feb. 5, 2013

-Our law firm handles wrongful death lawsuits in Louisiana. Please visit our website to learn more.

Doctors may be distracted by increased regulations

2013-02-14T17:33:47Z

When a doctor steps into an exam room, they try their best to focus on the patient's needs. They ask questions about the patient's medical history, diagnose conditions and prescribe and explain medications. These are all important in making sure the patient receives the best quality care. On top of these important responsibilities, some doctors, especially at smaller clinics might have patient privacy regulations in the back of their mind.

Some new regulations may hold doctors responsible for patient documents and information that are shredded, even after they are out of the doctor's hands. These laws could distract doctors from providing patient care in a safe manner. Medical malpractice comes in many different forms. It isn't just about how a surgery turns out, but medical malpractice could occur from a doctor misdiagnosing or giving improper instructions on a medication. Distractions for doctors could harm patients.

]]> If a person is injured because of a doctor's error, the doctor should be held accountable. While more restrictions may limit a doctor's ability to do their job properly, it is important that they hire proper staff to handle their administrative tasks.

Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney might be a wise decision if a person is harmed by a doctor's error. They can help the person understand their rights and seek compensation for their injuries. Compensation might be used for current and future medical expenses that arise from a medical error. It might also be used for a person's monthly expenses if they are unable to return to work because of their injuries.

Source: Forbes, "New Privacy Rules May Distract Doctors From Patient Care," Peter Lipson, Feb. 11, 2013

-Our law firm handles medical malpractice cases in Lake Charles. Please visit our website to learn more about personal injury.

Louisiana seaman files suit under Jones Act in federal court

2013-02-07T18:01:50Z

A man injured on a vessel last year has filed a lawsuit against Big R Towing Inc., where he was previously employed. The man slipped and fell on the vessel's wooden floor during operations. He reportedly suffered a disabling injury and has now filed the suit under the Jones Act in a federal court in Louisiana. The man is seeking an unknown amount of compensation for loss of earning potential and physical and mental pain, among other things.

These types of accidents can be very serious. Slippery surfaces might be common on vessels, but employers need to take all precautions necessary to ensure a person has a safe work environment. The wooden floor of the vessel in this case was reportedly changed after the man's accident. Taking action after an accident doesn't help the victim of the accident. Employers need to warn employees of any known hazards. Not doing so can result in serious injuries as it did in this case.

]]> People who suffer serious injuries while working on a vessel off the coast of Louisiana might be wise to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney with experienced handling admiralty and maritime law might be able to help a person seek compensation under the Jones Act. This act is meant to protect seamen and help inform them of their rights in the event of an injury.

Sometimes employers will do little to help a person after an accident and workers might not be informed of their rights. An attorney can help the person determine if their situation is covered under the Jones Act and help them seek appropriate compensation.

Source: Louisiana Record, "Seaman files lawsuit after slipping and falling on vessel's wooden floor," Michelle Keahey, Feb. 5, 2013

-Our law firm handles Jones Act cases in Louisiana. Please visit our website to learn more about this act and other personal injury situations.