Law Blog
We Need Better Follow-up Care for New Mothers
Having a baby is a miraculous and joyful event. However, lack of sleep, fatigue, breastfeeding difficulties, stress, new or aggravated emotional disorders, and urinary incontinence are often also present and must be addressed. Postpartum care for women and infants—with services and support fitted to each mother’s individual needs—is essential for the welfare of the family.…
Read MoreWashington, DC Is #4 for Fetal Deaths
For the past 15 years, fetal deaths, also known as stillbirths, have declined in the United States. However, stillbirths in the District of Columbia have exceeded the national average for the last 10+ years. According to the 2022 DC Health Infant Mortality Report, non-Hispanic Black babies were three to five times more likely to die in…
Read MoreWashington, DC Scores a C- on the March of Dimes 2023 Report Card
Each year, the March of Dimes hands out report cards to every state in the country regarding maternal and infant health. This year, for the first time, they are including maternal mortality, leading causes of infant death, and risk factors for preterm birth. Washington, DC has scored a C- on the report card this year,…
Read MoreWhat Are the Four “D”s of Medical Malpractice?
The four “D”s of medical malpractice are: Duty, Deviation from standard of care, Damages, and Direct cause. All four of these elements are legally required and must be established in order to file a medical malpractice claim and pursue damages successfully. If you’re unsure if your experiences fit within these boundaries, the best thing you…
Read MoreHow Long Do You Have to Sue for Medical Malpractice in Washington, DC?
Victims of medical malpractice can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for the harms they have suffered. To do so, they must file within a certain time frame, known as the statute of limitations. These statutes can change based on where you file and what type of case you have. You have three years to…
Read MoreMedical Malpractice and Telemedicine
Telemedicine is a helpful tool, especially for folks who live in rural and remote areas, or who cannot afford to take a day off work to visit a doctor’s office. Telemedicine can also be beneficial to doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals as they do not have to come into direct contact with so many…
Read MoreHow Long Do Medical Malpractice Cases Take in Washington, D.C?
If you suffered harm because of an act of medical negligence, the first question you likely have is, “how long do medical malpractice cases take?” This is a natural question as you may need help paying your medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost income. However, you must keep in mind that every person’s medical malpractice…
Read MoreOlympian Allyson Felix’s Highlights the Risks Black Mothers Face
Allyson Felix, renowned Olympic sprinter, recently shared her personal experience in an interview with Meet the Press, shedding light on the significant risks Black mothers face during pregnancy. Felix expressed her surprise at being at risk and emphasized the importance of being informed about potential complications, particularly preeclampsia, a condition she was unfamiliar with. Despite…
Read MoreMedical Malpractice, Hypertension, and Preeclampsia
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is an extremely common health condition that can be deadly. It is also a risk factor and symptom of preeclampsia, a serious medical condition often experienced by pregnant women. Despite how common hypertension is, it should be always taken seriously. It is something that your medical team should check for…
Read MoreCan Medical Negligence Lead to Preterm Birth?
Having a baby should be an exciting time for a mother. While many babies are delivered without a problem, there are also many instances where there is a problem or issue during the pregnancy, leading to an early delivery. Having a preterm birth is a scary time, as it can be dangerous for the baby.…
Read MoreDrugs Like Ozempic Shouldn’t Be Prescribed to Children
The world has always focused on appearances. The beauty of the human body and what it should look like in order for it to be admired has shifted over the centuries. Most recently, reaching popularity in the 90s, there has been a growing desire to be thin. With that desire came the production of weight…
Read MoreDangerous Mistakes Tripled in Maryland Hospitals
In the realm of healthcare, trust is the cornerstone upon which every successful patient-provider relationship is built. We rely on hospitals to be sanctuaries of healing, places where expertise and compassion converge. However, recent revelations about patient safety in Maryland have cast a sobering light on the state of affairs within its hospitals. Between 2019…
Read MoreWhich Surgical Procedures Are the Most Dangerous?
It is common for individuals who are rushed to the hospital to find out that they need immediate surgery. While they may think that this means that they will soon be on the mend, it is important to also realize that every surgical procedure carries risks. Some of these risks include blood clots, anesthesia, bleeding…
Read MoreThe Long-Term Prognosis of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition that can affect a person for the rest of their life. While the condition itself will not worsen, the symptoms and risks associated with this disorder can become worse over time, causing individuals to develop long-term complications. As a result, many children with cerebral palsy may experience chronic pain,…
Read MoreStrokes Change Lives Entirely
Strokes are life-threatening and dangerous conditions that can change a person’s entire life within minutes. Patients who survive the stroke are likely to require long-term, potentially life-long, care. But it is not only their lives which are affected; the lives of their loved ones can change permanently, too. The American Stroke Association describes a stroke…
Read MoreWhat are the Most Common Types of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits?
Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses, or hospitals, fail to meet the standard of care expected in the medical profession, resulting in harm or injury to patients. These cases can be complex, often involving issues of negligence, misdiagnosis, surgical errors, medication mistakes, and more. A study in BMJ estimates that hospital errors…
Read MoreWhat is the Difference Between Medical Malpractice and Medical Battery?
The primary difference between medical malpractice and medical battery lies in the nature of a healthcare provider’s actions. Medical malpractice involves negligence or a failure to meet the standard of care, while medical battery involves intentional and unauthorized physical contact or procedures performed on a patient without their consent. Both types of claims can result…
Read MoreWhen Doctors Drop Babies During Delivery
A soon-to-be-mother thinks about what the birth of her child will be like throughout her entire pregnancy. No matter how many stories she hears or videos she watches, she knows it’s one of those things that you have to experience to really know how it’s going to work. Babies just aren’t predictable. Still, she knows…
Read MoreHow Anesthesia Errors Can Lead to Brain Damage
Although the majority of surgeries require some form of anesthesia, the use of anesthesia always carries some level of risk to the patient. For this reason, the administration of anesthesia must be carried out with great care and precision in conjunction with proper diagnosis and patient monitoring. Unfortunately, errors and subsequent complications do occur in…
Read MoreWhat Are the Most Common Types of Hospital Acquired Infections?
When a patient becomes ill with an infection after having been admitted to the hospital for the treatment of an unrelated condition (or within three days of being discharged, and with no existing signs of infection, it can be said to be a hospital-acquired, or nosocomial infection. Healthcare-associated infections are preventable and they represent a…
Read MoreCancer Risk Is Increasing for Younger People
While some cancers do not discriminate, certain lifestyle choices can increase the risk of cancer. For instance, we all know that smoking increases the risk of lung, throat, and mouth cancer. A recent study has highlighted a concerning trend of rising cancer rates among younger Americans, especially women, with gastrointestinal, endocrine, and breast cancers showing…
Read MoreWhat If Doctors Are Thinking About Cancer Treatment All Wrong?
When you receive a cancer diagnosis, you most likely begin thinking about the worst-case scenarios. You are not alone; there are few things more frightening than a cancer diagnosis – except, perhaps, a misdiagnosis. So if you are like most people, you may seek a second opinion to see if a different doctor may have…
Read MoreMothers, Especially Black Mothers, Keep Dying from Childbirth
The first descriptor that pops up when we look at stories about Tori Bowie is that she was an Olympian. Then, those stories mention that she took the gold medal in Rio. Then, they say she died from complications of childbirth. The Associate Medical Examiner in Orange County labeled her death as “natural causes… citing…
Read MoreWhy Shoulder Dystocia Is a Medical Emergency
During labor and delivery, traumatic events can occur that may lead to serious consequences for both the mother and the baby. One specific complication that can arise is shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulders become lodged during delivery. This can be a distressing and dangerous situation, potentially resulting in significant injuries. Unfortunately, medical negligence can…
Read MorePostpartum Hemorrhage Is a Life-Threatening Condition
The postpartum period, following labor and delivery, is a crucial time that requires careful attention and proper medical care for both newborns and mothers. Unfortunately, when healthcare providers neglect their responsibilities in providing adequate postpartum care, the consequences can be severe. Mothers and their newborns may suffer from serious illnesses or injuries, including the risk…
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