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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.
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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 |
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Read Previous Issues of the HPSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Physical Therapist Edition |
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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 |
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Read Previous Issues of the HPSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Pharmacist Edition |
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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 |
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Read Previous Issues of the HPSO Special Edition Legal Case Study: Counselors Edition |
September 2009 Legal Case Study |
| Failure to Properly Treat Complaints of Hearing Loss - Physician’s Assistant Maintains That Supervising Physician Recommended Treatment Provided Hearing Loss Permanent - Defense Verdict. |
The plaintiff went to the defendant with complaints of right hearing loss and tinnitus for seven days. The defendant recommended treatment with Medrol (methylprednisolone). The plaintiff returned to the defendant a week later, when she was referred to an otolaryngologist. The otolaryngologist diagnosed sudden sensorineural hearing loss. The plaintiff was subsequently treated with high-dose steroids, but had no improvement in hearing. The plaintiff claimed that the defendant physician’s assistant was negligent in her examination and treatment. The defendant argued that she consulted with her supervising physician, who recommended the Medrol treatment. The defendant also argued that non-parties were at fault. The defendant additionally maintained that sudden sensorineural hearing loss is a rare condition and that treatment is controversial. According to The Trial Reporter a defense verdict was 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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Recently Posted Legal Case Studies
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| Failure to Diagnose Ectopic Pregnancy - Loss of Fallopian Tube - Defense Verdict. | |
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