Houston Medical Malpractice Law Blog

Are you at risk for HELLP Syndrome in your last trimester?

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in blog on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

Like most people, you probably worried more about the first trimester of your pregnancy since that is when the risk of miscarriage is highest. Once you reach your second trimester, you may think that you are in the clear. However, other issues could come up later on in your pregnancy.

During your third trimester, you may run the risk of contracting HELLP Syndrome. The problem is that your doctor may not recognize that your symptoms could result from this syndrome, which may happen since medical experts do not even know what really causes HELLP Syndrome.

We build aggressive and holistic birth injury cases

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in Birth Injuries on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

A few weeks ago on the blog we discussed the costs associated with caring for cerebral palsy. Families that have a loved one who suffers from this condition can find themselves overwhelmed with medical expenses. In fact, these costs can easily reach the six and sometimes seven-figure range. For most Texans, this is unaffordable. It can threaten a family with financial ruin which, in turn, causes additional stress at a time when they need to focus on the care of their loved one.

Fortunately, those confronted by this reality may be able to find financial relief if a birth injury was caused as a result of medical malpractice. When a medical professional fails to provide care that is in line with the applicable standard of care then he or she, as well as the hospital at which he or she works, may be held liable for damages suffered. This may sound easy enough, but the process is actually quite complicated. This is why it is usually best for these families to seek help from an experienced and proven law firm like Davis & Davis.

Why objections are important, even if they are overruled

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in Failure to Diagnose on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

Texans who have been hurt by the actions or inactions of a negligent medical professional have the right to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit. When successful, these claims can result in the recovery of compensation for a victim's damages, which may include extensive medical expenses and lost wages. These cases are often hotly contested, which means that victims need to be prepared to bring a strong case.

Knowing the intricacies of the legal process can be very important to one's claim. Not only does it allow him or her to present the strongest legal arguments possible, but it also allows a victim to preserve the legal record. What does that mean? Everyone has the right to appeal a final adverse ruling issued by a court. However, when an appeal is filed, the court of appeals can only address issues that were preserved in the record. Those issues that were not preserved are considered waived.

A dehisced wound may be caused by medical malpractice

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in Surgical Errors on Thursday, April 5, 2018.

As readers of this blog know, medical malpractice can take many forms. Some instances of neglect are egregious, obviously accounting for the harm a patient suffers. Other times, though, a medical mistake can be so minor in comparison that it may not even be noticed at first. However, even these errors can leave patients with serious harm.

One of these mishaps can occur when a medical professional fails to properly stitch a wound or a surgical incision. A dehisced wound is one that has been sutured shut but then reopens. The complications associated with this condition can be severe, too, especially when that sutured wound is inside the body. Most importantly, if not properly treated in a timely fashion, a dehisced wound can lead to infection. This infection can lead to a whole host of problems, potentially including sepsis and death.

Did doctors fail to take steps to prevent a pulmonary embolism?

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in blog on Friday, March 30, 2018.

Yes, nearly every surgical procedure comes with certain risks. Even so, it is up to the doctors in charge of your care to minimize or eliminate those risks, especially if you suffer from a health condition or some other malady that increases those risks.

A common post-surgical complication is the threat of a pulmonary embolism. If medical personnel fail to take the proper precautions before, during and after your procedure to protect you from this eventuality as much as possible, it could constitute medical malpractice.

Medical malpractice leaves child scarred and bald

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in Birth Injuries on Wednesday, March 28, 2018.

Even though medical professionals tend to face the same medical complications time and again, there are many instances where they are presented with a unique and challenging situation. In these instances, doctors and nurses are expected to rely on their experience and training to make decisions that are in line with acceptable medical standards. This, in turn, will hopefully ensure that a patient does not receive any additional harm, and his or her medical condition will improve.

Yet, as one Texas couple found out, those we trust the most with our health and the health of our loved ones can make mistakes that can cause significant damages. That couple's child suffered severe scalp injuries after a doctor decided to use a bandage to wrap the child's head, which was quite swollen, shortly after she was born. The reasoning behind this act was that the doctor believed the child had a hemorrhage at the base of her skull that was increasing in size. However, that medical practice had not been tested or proven successful amongst the medical community.

The costs of cerebral palsy can be overwhelming

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in Birth Injuries on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

Texas couples who are expecting a child may be overwhelmed with all of the health-related information and treatment they receive before their little one arrives. Although it may feel overwhelming, most of these pregnant women receive adequate explanation of their treatment and administration of care, allowing them to give birth to healthy and happy babies. In some instances, though, medical professionals, for one of a number of reasons, make mistakes that cause serious harm to babies. These birth injuries can have lifelong consequences that can have physical, emotional and financial ramifications.

One commonly suffered birth injury is cerebral palsy. There is no cure for this medical condition, so those who are affected by it need to be prepared to adequately care for it over the long-term. This can be especially challenging as some estimates, including one presented by the CDC, place the cost at approximately $1 million. That very well may only be enough to cover medical expenses, though, which means that the actual damages, including lost wages, may be significantly higher.

Texas firm representing those affected by surgical errors

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in Surgical Errors on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

Nobody likes the idea of having surgery. Yet, these operations are oftentimes imperative to remedy a medical condition, slow the advancement of disease or alleviate the symptoms of an injury or illness. The process can be quite scary, though, especially when one considers how complicated surgeries can be and how even a seemingly minor error can have devastating consequences, as in the case we discussed a few weeks ago on the blog.

Although a surgical error can leave victims with overwhelming pain and suffering, both in a physical and emotional nature, the true extent of their harm doesn't end there. Of course, these individuals will likely suffer financial harm as they continue to incur medical expenses related to additional medical treatments needed to rectify the harm caused by the surgical error. Their additional injuries may also leave them unable to work for a significantly longer period of time, meaning that they will be hit by additional lost wages. Further, a surgical error may leave a victim with a worsened medical condition, disabled or with disfigurement.

Help for victims of Wernicke's encephalopathy

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in blog on Saturday, March 10, 2018.

Medical malpractice and the negligence of Texas medical professionals can lead to serious health complications for innocent patients. Sometimes, the impact of medical mistakes can lead to serious repercussions that can last for years or impact a victim's quality of life. Delayed diagnosis and other forms of malpractice can lead to grave health complications, such as Wernicke's encephalopathy.

If you are currently suffering from Wernicke's encephalopathy, you may be suffering because of the actions or inaction of a doctor or other type of health professional. The impact of your condition is significant, but you may have the right to seek financial compensation for your pain and suffering through a medical malpractice claim.

New study seeks to reduce medical misdiagnoses

On behalf of Steven Davis of Davis & Davis, Attorneys at Law posted in Failure to Diagnose on Thursday, March 8, 2018.

When we think about the medical field we often think of doctors and nurses helping people get better. Whether patients have suffered an injury or been hit with an illness or disease, we expect these medical professionals to provide competent treatment. Sadly, though, our optimism is often misplaced.

Studies estimate that between 40,000 and 80,000 individuals die each year as a direct result of errors in the diagnostic process. Anyone can be subjected to a misdiagnosis or a late diagnosis. Those who are suffering from a serious medical condition like cancer may be hit the hardest, as their chances of survival may be dramatically reduced as a result.