The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal statute requiring hospitals that participate in Medicare to treat people who come into their emergency rooms, even if they do not have insurance or can pay for treatment. In 1986 and 1987, research at Cook County Hospital in Chicago indicated that the majority of transfers into the...
Continue ReadingWhen someone is in the hospital, they expect their caregivers to administer the correct dosage and type of medication. Unfortunately, between 7,000 and 9,000 people die due to medication errors each year in the United States, while hundreds of thousands of others don’t report medicinal complications from errors. Hospital medication errors cost the United States more than $40 billion...
Continue ReadingDo you know the areas of the spinal cord that are most commonly injured? Your cervical or lumbar spine is most at risk for injury in a traumatic accident. While your spine is strong, it can suffer injury or even permanent damage in an accident. Incidents involving motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, etc., can result in...
Continue ReadingNerve damage can have a lasting impact on your ability to live your life the way you want. If you are such a victim, you may wonder, What is the average payout for nerve damage? Nerve damage settlement lawsuits can provide compensation to accident victims. At Poulos & Coates, LLP, our experienced attorneys have successfully obtained compensation on behalf...
Continue ReadingProving causation is a critical step in holding healthcare providers accountable for their negligent actions. It involves demonstrating a clear link between a healthcare provider’s actions and the harm suffered by the plaintiff. This requires a thorough examination of the medical records, expert testimony, and other relevant evidence. The ultimate goal is to establish that the healthcare provider’s breach...
Continue ReadingIf you undergo surgery or another medical procedure, you may receive anesthesia during the operation that minimizes the pain you feel. Hospitals hire anesthesiologists to ensure anesthesia is administered properly and in the correct dosage. Still, mistakes can happen. Clients who come to our office fearing an overdose of anesthesia typically want to know: Our medical malpractice attorneys at...
Continue ReadingMedical malpractice cases typically fall into one of the following categories: (1) failure to diagnose, (2) improper treatment, and (3) medical errors. Malpractice claims across the United States cost insurers billions of dollars, not to mention the harm suffered by the patients in these cases. One injury that can occur from negligence or malpractice is radiation sickness due to...
Continue ReadingTraumatic brain injury (TBI) shows itself in various ways, ranging from mild disruptions of consciousness to a severe and unrelenting state that can lead to death. There are many reasons one may not receive treatment for a TBI. But when the cause involves medical negligence, the injured person may have a claim for compensation under New Mexico’s medical malpractice...
Continue ReadingDiagnostic errors can significantly threaten patient safety, leading to severe harm and death. While there have been great strides in developing interventions that allow medical providers to reassess for errors and improve diagnostic accuracy, misdiagnosis continues to be frequent, costly, and deadly. This is especially true for those suffering from autoimmune diseases, such as lupus. Those who experience a...
Continue ReadingIn the United States, the medical malpractice liability system has two primary objectives: to compensate patients who suffer injuries because of the negligence of their healthcare providers and to deter providers from engaging in negligent practices. However, navigating the medical malpractice system in New Mexico is challenging. Those who suffer injuries because of a negligent medical provider should consult...
Continue Reading