Articles Posted in Medical Malpractice

When it comes to general practitioners and surgeons, most people know that these medical professionals can be sued for medical malpractice. Some people are even aware that nurses, dentists and pharmacists can be sued for negligence or error. What about optometrists?

It is difficult to sue an optometrist for medical malpractice in many cases. This is because common errors, like over or under prescribing, cause little to no injury to the patient. You notify your doctor that your lenses are not working well for you, your eyes are re-examined and you are given a new prescription.

While there are few instances in which an optometrist can successfully be sued for medical malpractice, it does happen. The majority of malpractice cases involving optometrists are due to glaucoma, retinal detachment and tumors.

Many people choose to undergo LASIK surgery in order to throw away their glasses and contacts forever. While the procedure has definite benefits, there are risks associated that aren’t always widely discussed. Before you choose to have the procedure, it is important that you aware of the risks involved and weigh your options carefully.

1. Loss of Vision

LASIK is supposed to improve your vision to the point that you don’t have to rely on lenses of one type or another. The good news is that this risk is relatively low. Many times, a loss of vision is associated with a complication or error during the procedure.

Undergoing a surgical procedure is a serious event and mistakes can happen. Not all of these mistakes add-up to medical error or negligence. Some of the mistakes made are completely in your control. Following your doctor’s instructions for your post-surgical care is important, and not doing so can severely impact your ability to heal properly and get back on your feet.

Here are the mistakes that people make most often following surgery.

1. Doing Too Much

Most people have heard at least one story of a person who went out of the country for a cosmetic procedure to save money. There is no doubt that seeking surgery outside of the United States may be more cost effective, but it is also dangerous. The same can be said of surgeons in our own country. If you don’t practice due diligence in selecting your cosmetic surgeon, you can pay dearly later.

Cosmetic surgery is an elective procedure in many cases, but it still risky. Anesthesia and the altering of body tissues bring with them dangers that need to be paid attention to. When you choose a surgeon mindfully, you can reduce some of the risks. Here are tips for choosing the right cosmetic surgeon for your needs.

1. Board Certified

It is not unusual for people to feel uncomfortable when considering asking for a second opinion. People don’t want to seem rude or pushy, and they don’t want their doctor to think that they are untrusting. There are times that absolutely call for a second opinion. Here is more information so that you can feel more comfortable if you feel the need to ask for one.

1. When to Ask

If you have a serious or life-threatening disease, medical professionals suggest asking for a second opinion. This is especially true if the potential treatment is risky, the diagnosis is not clear, you are considering participating in a drug trial, or you are interested in an experimental procedure.

Just three short years ago, people in America spent more than $7 billion on cosmetic, or plastic, surgery. Surgeries range from rhinoplasty to augmentation and are typically performed with no issue or incident. Unfortunately, any time you go under the knife, you are putting yourself at risk. Plastic surgery is not without complication in some cases. If you are lucky, your complications are easily treated. In the most extreme cases, these complications lead to death.

Here are the five most common complications arising from cosmetic surgery:

1. Hematoma

ADHD medications are, in some people’s opinion, too freely prescribed to children today. Knowing that the disorder is commonly misdiagnosed should set off alarm bells in your head if your pediatrician mentions ADHD in conjunction with your child. Do not accept the diagnosis at face value. Here are several questions to ask your doctor whether they have diagnosed your child or are strongly considering the diagnosis of ADHD.

1. Could it be something else?

Ask your doctor how they have come to the diagnosis of ADHD. Question whether or not your child’s symptoms could point to a different diagnosis, and find out how other disorders or illnesses have been ruled out.

Children diagnosed with ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, may not have the disorder at all. That is because ADHD is the most commonly misdiagnosed behavioral disorder among children under the age of 18. Why? Because ADHD mimics so many other disorders.

Bipolar Disorder

It is surprisingly difficult to distinguish between ADHD and bipolar disorder. The two share several symptoms, including mood instability, restlessness, outbursts, impatience and talkativeness. ADHD affects attention and behavior, while bipolar disorder affects the mood.

Midwives provide one of the oldest forms of healthcare. These professionals provide healthcare, but they are not medical doctors. They are trained to assist women in delivering babies, and they are trained to know when a delivery is posing a danger to the mother or infant. Some midwives are also registered nurses, or nurse midwives.

Financial Responsibility

Because most midwives are not licensed medical professionals, they cannot be sued for medical malpractice. This comes as a surprise to some, especially when their children suffer birth injuries as a result of mistakes made by midwives.