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If you’ve been injured in an accident, your losses are more than just medical bills and lost wages. Many times, physical pain and emotional distress can make a substantial impact on your daily life. In these cases, pain and suffering damages can compensate for the real, personal toll an injury takes on you. But how do lawyers and insurance companies put a dollar amount on something as personal as your pain? Since pain and suffering are subjective, calculating is a little more complicated than adding up receipts. For[...]
Seven Tips On How To Get the Most Out of Your Nursing Home Visit
Although it can be emotionally challenging to help a loved one transition into long-term care, ultimately, it provides a great sense of relief. Your loved one will now have around-the-clock care. They will have their meals prepared for them and their medications administered. They will also have an opportunity to socialize with their fellow residents. All of this is good, and best of all, you can check in with your loved ones through regular visits. Even though the nursing home staff will support your loved one, you are[...]
How To Advocate for Yourself in the Emergency Room
No one goes to a hospital emergency room “just to visit.” If you make a trip to an ER, you have to be there because of an accident or an ailment that has taken a turn for the worse. With close to 137 million ER visits across the country (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)), any trip to a hospital will mean waiting for care. According to data collected by Axios, the average wait in a Pennsylvania ER is three hours. That puts it[...]
What Is the Difference Between a Birth Injury and a Birth Defect?
"Birth injury" and "birth defect" are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Both of these conditions can affect a newborn’s health, but their causes and legal implications differ significantly. A birth injury is typically the result of a complication that happens during labor or delivery, while a birth defect develops before birth. Knowing the differences between the two is important to navigate medical care, seeking legal options when necessary, and advocating for a child’s well-being. What is a Birth Injury? A birth injury[...]
Are Hospital-Acquired Infections Normal?
Hospitals are places we go for healing. Unfortunately, some patients end up getting an infection. Are these hospital-acquired infections normal? While they’re common, they shouldn’t be seen as inevitable. These infections are often preventable. Hospitals have a responsibility to do everything they can to protect patients. What Are Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAI)? These infections develop while a patient is receiving medical care in a hospital or healthcare facility. They’re not present when a patient is admitted but appear during the course of their stay or even after they go[...]
What Are the Most Dangerous Times at a Hospital?
We can all agree that the only “good time” to go to the hospital is when you get to welcome a new member of the family into the world. Beyond that, no one wants to make the trip if they can avoid it. Yet, for 139.8 million Americans, it's unavoidable. That is how many emergency room visits there were, according to data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to the ER visits, the American Hospital Association found that there were 33,679,935 admissions across[...]
Who Is Responsible for Medication Errors?
Medication errors are among the most common errors made in the healthcare industry, affecting millions of patients each year. Mistakes can range from prescribing the wrong drug to administering an incorrect dosage. While some mistakes cause minor side effects, others result in serious harm or even death. When a medication error happens, determining who’s responsible can be a complicated process. Multiple parties may be involved, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and drug manufacturers, and knowing who’s liable in these cases is essential for preventing future errors and seeking legal[...]
When To Seek a Second Opinion from a New Doctor
We seek second opinions all the time. When dressing up for a night out on the town, you might ask your partner what they think of what you’re wearing. You probably consult with a friend about the new car you’re buying and what they think. These are the kinds of subjective opinions that can give you confidence about your choices. When it comes to medical issues, the only second opinion you should seek is from a qualified medical practitioner. When is the best time to seek a second[...]
What Is a Medical Error of Omission?
When you go to the doctor's office, hospital, or clinic, you expect to be properly treated for your medical concerns. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen, and they can have a devastating effect on your physical health and even finances. If you have been harmed due to a mistake, you may be able to hold these healthcare providers liable for your injuries. At Shrager Sachs & Blanco, we have helped many clients navigate the challenges of a medical malpractice claim, including those due to an error. In this blog, we'll[...]
What Is the Eggshell Skull Rule?
Anytime you leave the house and get into your car, you probably bring the same three things: Your keys, a cell, and your ID. Some folks also bring a preexisting ailment like a sore back or achy muscles. Those preexisting ailments could make driving a long trip uncomfortable. They also could be a factor in an accident. That is referred to as the eggshell skull rule. It is essential to understand this legal concept if you ever need to file a claim or a personal injury lawsuit. According[...]