$1 million awarded in medical malpractice suit

Posted on April 14th, 2010 No Comments

A Harpswell woman and her husband were awarded $1 million Friday, April 9,  in a medical malpractice suit that claimed cancer had spread through her body due to her doctor’s inadequate care.

The woman had recovered from breast cancer in the 1990s, which her doctor was aware of. However, when she complained of back and hip pain that became progressively worse, her doctor did not perform tests that would have determined if the cancer had returned and spread to her bones.

The doctor ignored her complaints of pain in several yearly checkups and did not make note of them in his progress notes, making it appear that she was pain-free during that time.

This verdict does not suggest that doctors must carry out an entire battery of tests every time a patient complains of pain, but instead that a doctor must listen to his or her patient and take into account their medical history in making accurate decisions.

The couple was also awarded an additional $160,000 to cover medical costs.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a negligent doctor or medical practitioner, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers of Levinson & Axelrod by calling 800-346-5529.

Michael Jackson’s doctor will not take plea bargain

Posted on April 6th, 2010 No Comments

The personal physician of the late Michael Jackson will not take a plea bargain in the case of the singer’s death.

The doctor stands by his original claims that he did nothing wrong on the night of the singer’s death. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter back in February, and he states that he will not agree to a plea bargain. Under a plea bargain, the doctor would plead guilty to a lesser charge. The doctor has been accused of administering a powerful dose of a sedative that killed the singer.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed due to a medical mistake, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers of Levinson & Axelrod by calling 800-346-5529.

New laws will not limit medical malpractice payments for doctors

Posted on March 29th, 2010 No Comments

Tort-reform advocates were dealt another blow this past week when the new health-care bill (signed into effect by President Obama on Tuesday) did not include provisions to limit the amount of money doctors have to pay in medical malpractice lawsuits.  Those who wish to see an overhaul of the tort laws say the bill does not help with the problem of high malpractice insurance costs for doctors.

If you would like to know more about medical malpractice claims or if you have been hurt by the negligent actions of a health-care professional, contact the New  Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson Axelrod at 800-346-5529.

Dentist Faces Charge of Using Paperclips for Root Canals

Posted on March 23rd, 2010 No Comments

A Massachusetts dentist faces charges of making $130,000 in false Medicaid claims, illegally prescribing drugs, and using paperclips in root canals.

The 51-year-old former dentist practiced at Harbour Dental Care in the New Harbour Mall in Fall River, Massachusetts. He faces 13 charges in all, including counts of false Medicaid claims, larceny, illegally prescribing Class B and Class C substances, and assault. He allegedly used paper clips rather than the standard stainless steel posts to save money while performing root canals, causing serious pain and infections to patients.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of the negligent, careless, or malicious actions of a dentist or dental staff, contact the New Jersey dental malpractice lawyers of Levinson Axelrod at 800-346-5529.

Black market cosmetic injections sicken 6 NJ women

Posted on March 19th, 2010 No Comments

Six New Jersey women became seriously ill after receiving cosmetic injections with a black market substance that contained industrial silicone, the type found at hardware stores.

The woman underwent “butt-enhancement” surgery and later returned to the hospital with their rear-ends covered in abscesses and skin infections. Investigators are still trying to trace where the dangerous substances came from and who was responsible for their manufacture.

It is the responsibility of a plastic surgeon to ensure that your surgery goes safely and to take every effort to try to prevent any adverse side effects. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a botched surgery, contact the New Jersey surgical error lawyers of Levinson Axelrod at 800-346-5529.

Elderly patient beaten to death at behavioral health facility

Posted on March 10th, 2010 No Comments

A 69-year-old patient at a behavioral health facility in New Jersey was found beaten to death in his room on Thursday evening at around 11:00 p.m. The man’s roommate, an 18-year-old patient was arrested and charged with murder. Hospital officials say that the incident is an isolated event and that they are committed to protecting the safety of their patients.

If someone you love has been hurt due to the negligent actions of a physician, nursing home staff, or other medical professional, you may be eligible to pursue legal action. For more information on behavioral health facility injuries and medical malpractice, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson Axelrod at 800-346-5529 today.

Politicians Continue to Spar Over Healthcare Reform

Posted on March 5th, 2010 No Comments

Politicians on both sides of the political divide are continuing to spar over healthcare reform, particularly whether or not tort reform is required. The decision could affect the ability of victims of medical malpractice to get adequate compensation following their injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured through medical care, the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson-Axelrod may be able to get you the money you need.

The healthcare debate is one of the most virulent in American politics today, with partisans on both sides fighting to reform the system. Some lawmakers have been fighting to place caps on the amount of money that can be awarded in medical malpractice cases, saying that these awards ultimately cost the taxpayers money. However, studies have shown that the damages in malpractice cases have little effect on the overall cost of healthcare.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of insufficient or negligent medical care, the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson-Axelrod may be able to help you get the compensation you need. Contact us today by calling 800-346-5529.

Medical Malpractice Insurers Keep Anti-Trust Exemption

Posted on February 24th, 2010 No Comments

Insurers specializing in medical malpractice will be able to keep their anti-trust exemption following recent alterations to the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act. The bill sought to protect consumers and promote fair competition when it comes to the business of health insurance, but did not make repeal exemptions for medical malpractice insurers.

For assistance with a medical malpractice claim, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson Axelrod at 800-346-5529 today.

Medical Malpractice Insurers May Be Removed from Anti-Trust Exemption Bill

Posted on February 18th, 2010 No Comments

A recent House bill regarding the elimination of anti-trust exemption for health insurers is currently being debated by House Democrats and Republicans and may see the removal of medical malpractice insurers from protection. The initial version of the bill was intended to provide more government oversight of medical malpractice insurers, but insurance lobbies and certain representatives have opposed their inclusion in the bill.

For assistance with a medical malpractice claim, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson Axelrod at 800-346-5529 today.

Physical Therapy Medical Malpractice

Posted on January 20th, 2010 No Comments

Medical malpractice is committed by more than just surgeons and physicians – anyone in the medical community can be guilty of it, including physical therapists. If you or someone you love has been the victim of negligent medical care, the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Levinson-Axelrod may be able to help you get the financial recovery you deserve.

Patients suffering from a wide variety of ailments rely on physical therapists to help them recover. However, if they don’t receive quality care, they could face sustaining another injury. Errors in physical therapy can cause chronic pain and can prevent proper healing.

If you or someone you know has been injured because of insufficient physical therapy treatment, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers of Levinson-Axelrod today by calling 800-346-5529.