The Body as Proof: Litigation Risks Involving Autopsies

Introduction Autopsy Liability Risks The national autopsy rate in the U.S. has fallen to about 8.5% of the nearly 7,000 deaths that occur each day, a rate that a research group working for the Department of Justice called “miserably low.” Because of the decline in the rate of autopsies performed, cause-of-death determinations for a number […]

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Gestational Diabetes: The Effects on Mothers, Babies, and Providers May Not Be Sweet

Liability Risks for Gestational Diabetes Every year, gestational diabetes affects more than nine percent of pregnancies in the United States, and the prevalence of the condition has been rising. Both the expectant mother and the infant can suffer injuries related to the condition. An injury related to gestational diabetes can lead to litigation. Claims may […]

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Kidney Diseases and Disorders: Stones, Dialysis, and Liability Concerns

Introduction Chronic kidney disease affects about 14% of the U.S. population, with 660,000 people suffering kidney failure. About 468,000 of those afflicted receive dialysis, while another 193,000 live with a functioning kidney transplant. Medicare spending for patients age 65 and older with chronic kidney disease exceeded $50 billion in 2013. Kidney disease is considered a […]

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Parkinson’s Disease: Shaky Situations, Litigation Considerations, and Potential Perils

Risks Related to Parkinson’s Disease Although roughly 60,000 cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed in the United States each year, thousands more cases are not detected. About one million people in the U.S. currently live with Parkinson’s disease.There is no cure, and its debilitating and immobilizing effects are not reversible. Estimates indicate that the combined […]

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Under Pressure: Liability Risks in Diagnosing and Treating Glaucoma

Introduction Glaucoma Liability Issues Even though more than three million Americans have glaucoma, only about half of those suffering from glaucoma are aware of it. The most common type of glaucoma has virtually no symptoms to warn of the disease, which can cause blindness if left untreated. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness […]

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Gut-Wrenching Pain: Liability Risks Related to Gastrointestinal Disorders

Introduction Liability Risks for Gastrointestinal Disorders Gastrointestinal diseases and other digestive disorders affect 60 to 70 million people in the U.S. More than 21 million of those affected require hospitalization each year, and more than 245,000 die annually. Medical costs per year related to digestive disorders amount to more than $141 billion. Special risk factors […]

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Hear No Evil? Liability for Hearing Disorder or Hearing Loss Injuries

Introduction Hearing Disorder or Loss Liability Risks Almost 50 million people in the U.S., including one in five teenagers, suffer from hearing loss, and the number is growing at an alarming rate. Noise exposure, aging, heredity, and illness are among the factors that most commonly lead to hearing loss. Societal costs for persons affected by […]

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Breast Surgery Revisited: Liability Risks of the Resurgery Epidemic

Introduction Breast Resurgery Liability Risks The high rate of resurgery, following breast reconstruction after cancer treatment or other types of breast surgery, has been described as “epidemic.” Resurgery related to complications and errors after breast surgery can cause physical and emotional injuries to patients. Not surprisingly, these injuries can lead to litigation. High awards and […]

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Diagnosing and Treating Multiple Sclerosis: Liability Considerations

Introduction Multiple Sclerosis Liability Risks Multiple sclerosis affects about 2.5 million people worldwide. About 400,000 of those suffering from multiple sclerosis live in the United States, where about 200 new cases of MS are diagnosed each week. The causes of multiple sclerosis are not known, and no cure is currently available. What is known is […]

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