California Medical Malpractice Law Blog

A new medical error report from Public Citizen reveals that California’s medical board is not disciplining doctors found guilty of wrongdoing, including committing medical malpractice. Many times, this medical malpractice leads to catastrophic injuries, including birth injuries, and wrongful death.

According to the report, the medical board failed to take action against more than 700 health care providers who were disciplined for wrongdoing between 1990 and 2009. Medical errors included the failure to diagnose – or wrongly diagnose – patients, delivering medical care that did not meet the requisite standard of care, leaving surgical equipment inside a patient and substance abuse. In some instances, their peers designated the doctors as “an immediate threat to health and safety of patients.”

In past years, California has ranked in the top half of states when it comes to discipline, but has consistently dropped in rank. As of 2010, California ranked 41st with nearly half of the nation’s 220 most dangerous doctors – those who present an “immediate threat” coming from California.

Continue reading " California Amongst The Lowest States In Disciplining Doctors Who Commit Medical Errors " »

A recent report reveals that a new class of spinal cord cells has been discovered that could soon lead to the development of therapies capable of regenerating part of the central nervous system. This would include helping repair spinal cord injuries.

The spinal cord, along with the brain, is the main message center of the body. Spinal cord injuries, such as those caused by birth trauma, are among the most devastating injuries a person can suffer. A variety of problems can arise from spinal cord injuries including decreased movement in the lower extremities, lack of sensation and difficult controlling internal temperature. After a birth injury, SCI’s may limit a baby’s ability to use their lungs and may even cause death.

Although many types of accidents may lead to spinal cord injuries, a frequent source of spinal cord injuries in infants is the use of excessive force and pressure during the labor and delivery process. In some cases, the injury is the result of medical malpractice. When the injury occurs through the negligence or medical malpractice of a health care provider, it may be possible to recover compensation to cover the costs of medical expenses related to the injury, both now and in the future.

Continue reading " New Cell Discovery Provides Hope For Those With Spinal Cord Injuries " »

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times highlighted the benefits of cooling therapy for cardiac arrest and now as a treatment that is gaining widespread acceptance as a method to help babies who have sustained birth injuries.

Its use has been called “the single most important advance in resuscitation science in the last ten years or so” for patients who have suffered cardiac arrest, but parents also see great hope in its use to prevent brain injuries in babies. Brain cooling – also known as therapeutic hypothermia - is now being routinely used to help infants who did not get enough oxygen during birth in order to protect their brains. Cerebral palsy is a common result oxygen deprivation at birth – which may be caused by medical malpractice -and brain cooling techniques have been shown to help in reducing the impact of birth injuries.

Cooling therapy works by using a special water-cooled cap, gel pads or blanket to cool a patient’s core body temperature a couple of degrees. By inducing a mild form of hypothermia, the brain's need for oxygen is reduced and the processes that damage brain cells are slowed. With the use of cooling therapy, doctors may be able to prevent long-term damage to the brain that may occur when a brain is deprived of oxygen for a short period of time.

It is also being tested for its potential to treat victims of stroke, heart attack, traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries.

Continue reading " Cooling Therapy Provides Help For Birth Injuries " »

About 10,000 babies born each year develop cerebral palsy making it one of the most frequently occurring birth related disorder. Cerebral palsy is typically defined as a neurological disorder that permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination. Although it is often linked to an occurrence that takes place near or during the birthing process, its symptoms may not present themselves until a child’s second birthday. Symptoms ofcerebral palsy may include:

• involuntary and uncontrolled movements
• balance and depth perception disturbances
• lack of coordination
• muscle weakness
• difficulty hearing and seeing
• cognitive impairment affecting a child’s ability to think and learn
• difficulty controlling limb movement

All of the causes of cerebral palsy are unknown, but a known source of birth injury leading to cerebral palsy is medical errors during the labor and delivery process. Examples include delays in delivery causing a baby remain in the birth canal too long and suffering oxygen deprivation. Where medical personnel fail to act quickly to perform a cesarean section to restore the oxygen flow to a baby’s brain, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. The improper use of forceps may cause a birth injury leading to cerebral palsy as well.

Continue reading " Cerebral Palsy Often Linked To Medical Malpractice " »