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Special Edition Legal Case Study


Healthcare Professionals and Medical Malpractice: A Case Study with Risk Management Strategies

Medical malpractice claims can be asserted against any healthcare provider. Although there may be a perception that physicians are held responsible for the majority of lawsuits, the reality is that healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, pharmacists and counselors are more frequently finding themselves defending the care they provide.


Physical Therapist Edition

Case Study: Improper Full Spinal Deep Thrusts

This case involves a physical therapist working in a private practice setting. In this case, the patient was a 5'2", 156 lb, 54-year-old woman, who underwent a hysterectomy and afterwards began to experience low back pain. Five months after surgery the patient sought treatment for her back pain with an orthopedic surgeon who believed she was suffering from degenerative problems and prescribed physical therapy... Read the Full Case with Risk Management Recommendations

 

Read Previous Issues of the HPSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Physical Therapist Edition

Pharmacist Edition

Case Study: Poisoning From Incorrect Anti-Fungal Medication

In this case, the insured pharmacist received an order for the plaintiff to receive intravenous Amphotericin Lipid Complex. The insured pharmacist incorrectly supplied Amphotericin B. The co-defendant pharmacy technician produced the correct labels but placed them on the incorrectly selected medication... Read the Full Case with Risk Management Recommendations

 

Read Previous Issues of the HPSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Pharmacist Edition

Counselor Edition

Case Study: Alleged Slanderous Statements by the Defendant Regarding the Plaintiff and Alleged Improper Reporting of Privileged Health Information to the Plaintiff's Employer

The plaintiff was a 52 year old practicing physician when he was court-ordered via the state's professional resource network (PRN) to see the defendant counselor for assessment following an arrest for suspected driving under the influence (DUI)... Read the Full Case with Risk Management Recommendations

 

Read Previous Issues of the HPSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Counselors Edition




December 2008 Legal Case Study



Woman Taking Risperdal for Bipolar Disorder Claims Counselor Told Her to Cease All Prescriptions While Receiving Treatment for Alcohol Abuse - Woman Discontinues Risperdal and Suffers Manic Episode - Missouri Defense Verdict.

The plaintiff, age fifty-three, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and prescribed Risperdal by her treating psychiatrist. In January 2003 the plaintiff was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse with the defendant, an independent counselor. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant told her she needed to be “drug-free” to work with her, which included prescription medication. This caused the plaintiff to cease taking the Risperdal, resulting in a manic episode.

The defendant denied advising the plaintiff to stop taking the medication and argued that the plaintiff had a longstanding history of failing to take medication prescribed by her psychiatrist.

According to a published account a defense verdict as returned.

With permission from Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements & Experts; Lewis Laska, Editor, 901 Church St., Nashville, TN 37203-3411, 1-800-298-6288.

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