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.

Recent Study Discusses Danger of Minor Traumatic Brain Injuries

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons discussed the fact that hundreds of thousands of people in the United States suffer minor traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) every year. The journal article notes how these mTBIs often go undiagnosed…

By Mark Favaloro

/ 17 Oct 2013

Dazed And Confused Fruit Flies Reveal Important Information About Traumatic Brain Injuries

The Los Angeles Times recently discussed a bizarre new study conducted by University of Wisconsin geneticist Barry Ganetzky. The hope is that the curious approach of knocking fruit flies senseless can shed light onto how to protect humans from the damage done by concussions and…

By Mark Favaloro

/ 16 Oct 2013

Detergent Pods Dubbed “Emerging Public Health Hazard” By CDC Officials

In an alarming bit of safety news for parents, ABC News is reporting that laundry detergent pods represent a serious and growing health risk for young children, something that has prompted calls for action on the part of manufacturers. According to the Centers for Disease…

By The Legal Examiner

/ 15 Oct 2013

Study Reveals Nursing Home Falls Often Lead To Traumatic Brain Injuries

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal underlines how vulnerable elderly individuals are to traumatic brain injuries, especially when those brain injuries occur as a result of falls. The study found that head injuries are a common result of falls among older…

By Mark Favaloro

/ 11 Oct 2013

More than 30,000 Women File Vaginal Mesh Defective Product Lawsuits

A medical product that was supposed to make women’s lives better has reduced the quality of life for many. Vaginal mesh and slings have had a very negative impact on the lives of many women and now lawyers for Boston Scientific Corp. and two other…

By Jim Lewis

/ 2 Oct 2013

Georgia Mulls Massive Changes To Medical Malpractice Laws

In a surprising alliance of typically opposing forces, a group of attorneys and doctors have come together to fight against a proposed sweeping change to Georgia’s medical malpractice laws. The change being considered by lawmakers would be the first of its kind and would remove…

By Mark Favaloro

/ 29 Sep 2013

Johnson and Johnson, Two Major Recalls; Schizophrenia Drug and Infant Motrin

To the general public Johnson & Johnson Company may bring to mind baby commercials featuring tear free shampoo. However Johnson & Johnson is also a U.S multinational medical devices, pharmaceutical and consumer packaged goods manufacturer. Recently Janssen, the companies’ pharmaceutical unit, volu

By The Legal Examiner

/ 16 Sep 2013

Tort Reform is a Failed Experiment

Tort reform, a hotly debated issue in the legal community, is proving a failed experiment. A jury in one of New York’s most conservative counties recently returned a $130 million dollar verdict in a medical malpractice case, the second-largest in the state’s history. The $8 million…

By Jim Lewis

/ 4 Sep 2013

The Subtle Torture of a Head Injury

On Sunday, August 18th, NFL sideline reporter Pam Oliver was hit by a pass thrown by the Colt’s backup Quarterback, Chandler Harnish. The football struck her flush in the side of the face, and although Oliver initially refused to discuss the hit, she is now…

By Jim Lewis

/ 4 Sep 2013

Report Uncovers Massive Holes In Physician Database

A recent report by Public Citizen uncovered glaring holes in a key government-run database meant to identify doctors and other health care providers who may not be fit for employment. The report found that the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) contains at least 50,000 incomplete…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 29 Aug 2013

Harford MD Jury Awards $958,000 in Medical Malpractice Suit

The surviving family members and the estate of a woman who died after she received an overdose of pain medication after surgery recently won a settlement of $958,000, according to The Daily Record in Harford County, Maryland. The woman was receiving treatment for leg ulcers…

By Mark Favaloro

/ 14 Aug 2013

New Hormonal Therapy Could Help Serious Brain Injuries

A new development in hormonal therapy could provide relief to victims of devastating brain injury. The therapy is meant in part to help reduce the swelling that often takes place inside the brain after a serious brain injury. The hormone, which is currently operating under…

By Jim Lewis

/ 12 Aug 2013