Health

Good health and safety often depend on accountability. Our health coverage explores how legal issues intersect with medical care, hospital safety, and patient rights in Virginia. We examine medical malpractice, misdiagnosis, unsafe facilities, and healthcare policy changes that affect patients. We also cover public health and community wellness topics.

FDA Bans Powdered Surgical Gloves

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a ban on the use of powdered gloves in surgery and other medical and dental procedures. The FDA originally issued a proposal to ban the gloves in March of last year but has now made that proposal…

By Randy Appleton

/ 16 May 2017

Trotting Out ‘Tort Reform’ Still the Wrong Response to Health Care Costs, Medical Errors

Some cheered when details of the Trump administration’s five-point plan for lowering health care costs was revealed during the president’s address to Congress on Feb. 28, 2017. Item four drew special, largely negative attention for being both a decades-old idea and one that has consistently…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 8 Mar 2017

New Study Says Doctors Over-Prescribing Dangerous Drugs to Seniors

A new study recently published in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) warns of the dangers associated with the increase in the amount of psychiatric medication that doctors are prescribing to seniors. The study found that the spike in polypharmacy – prescribing multiple medications…

By Edwin Booth

/ 7 Mar 2017

Surgical Patient Can Proceed With Lawsuit Against Doctor

A couple in Cumberland County, North Carolina may proceed with a medical malpractice lawsuit against Village Surgical Associates and practicing physician Michael S. Bryant, based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, according to a ruling by the North Carolina Supreme Court. The 4-2 decision stated that

By Richard Shapiro

/ 6 Feb 2017

Brain Injury Lawsuits Reveal the Risk of Treadmills

Going to the gym is supposed to be good for our health, but each year, thousands of Americans suffer injuries at fitness centers. They fall off equipment, drop heavy weights, or push themselves beyond their limits. The results can be serious injuries, including head injuries.…

By Randy Appleton

/ 29 Oct 2016

New Estimates Find that Medical Errors Are Leading Cause of Death

There was a law change in North Carolina in 2011, and medical malpractice suits have plunged 46%. But experts say there has been no statistical evidence to show that medical errors have dropped. According to a recent study by the medical journal BMJ, medical errors…

By Edwin Booth

/ 24 Oct 2016

Missed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis: Deadly Outcome for Skin Cancer Patients

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Although any diagnosis of cancer can be terrifying, skin cancer is often curable if it is recognized and treated early enough. However, a missed diagnosis can have fatal effects because…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 29 Aug 2016

Intubation Errors – A Serious Form of Medical Malpractice

Intubation and anesthesia errors are a form of medical malpractice and can result in significant harm or even death. An anesthesiologist is a trained medical professional tasked with administering safe and effective drugs to patients before they undergo a serious medical procedure. Many people are…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 11 Aug 2016

Former Wrestlers Sue WWE over Neurological Damage

A lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) was filed earlier this week, with more than 50 plaintiffs blaming the organization for neurological injuries they suffered caused by performing in the WWE’s wrestling rings. The lawsuit also accuses the WWE, and its founder Vince McMahon,…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 26 Jul 2016

Double Booked Surgery Risks: Do You Know Where Your Surgeon Is?

Needing to have surgery can be a very stressful and frightening time. Even a minor operation brings with it some risks. Patients usually put their faith in their surgeon, and believe that surgeon will be entirely focused on them during the operation. This sounds like…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 24 Jun 2016

Myelodysplastic Syndrome from Benzene Exposure – Info from FELA Lawyer

Railroad workers – including trainmen, conductors, engineers, switchmen, etc. – are exposed to hazardous chemicals and toxic fumes on a regular basis. Unfortunately, many of the big railroad companies neglected to take the necessary safety precautions to reduce the health hazards associated with thi

By Randy Appleton

/ 31 Mar 2016