California Medical Malpractice Law Blog

Despite new legislation and good faith efforts by citizens to eliminate the problem, elder abuse is on the rise in San Francisco and across the United States. Elder abuse means that the elderly - our most vulnerable adult citizens - are falling victim to the machinations and abuses of other individuals. Elder abuse can be financial, physical, emotional, or sexual. Some of our elder abuse victims in San Francisco have been cheated out of thousands of dollars, beaten, and even deprived of water and food by their abusers. Sadly, the emotional and physical toll on the victim and his or her family can be devastating. In such instances, it may become necessary for the victim or his or her family to seek legal representation from an attorney who has experiencing litigating cases involving elder abuse. San Francisco attorneys at Bostwick & Peterson have this experience, and we are ready to aggressively litigate your case to help you receive compensation for your losses.

Elder abuse will only decrease if our society begins to hold abusers accountable for their actions. This begins in the courtroom. If you have been a victim of elder abuse, San Francisco lawyers at Bostwick & Peterson may be able to help. Contact our attorneys today.

Nursing Home Abuse

Sadly, nursing home abuse is on the rise in San Francisco and across the United States. When a patient is placed in a nursing home, it is often because the patient is unable to care for him or herself. We expect that nursing home staff and owners will take extra care to provide a safe environment that will promotes health and well being of elderly residents. When the nursing home staff or managers do not uphold this standard, and their negligence or wrongful actions lead to injury or illness among residents, the nursing home is guilty of nursing home abuse. San Francisco victims have been subjected to abuses including unsanitary conditions; overmedication; unnecessary physical restraint; and physical, financial, or sexual abuse. Nursing home abuse is a particularly odious form of medical malpractice because many of the victims are unable to speak up and accuse the abusers. It is for this reason that citizens and nursing home abuse lawyers have a duty to report these crimes and prosecute offenders.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse, our San Francisco lawyers may be able to help. Please contact Bostwick & Peterson today.

$10.0 million - Record settlement for an obstetrical case.

Our birth injury specialists recently settled a case for $10,000,000 for birth injuries to a child now 3 years of age. The 17 year old mother had a normal pre-natal course, was admitted to the hospital for a trial of labor with normal fetal heart tones on the monitor strip. Rupture of membranes later revealed clear fluid and thereafter, a pattern of variable and late decelerations developed with retained variability. In the early morning hours, the late and variable decelerations continued with diminished variability. The baseline became tachycardic with diminished variability with persistent significant mixed late and variable decelerations with slow recovery. This continued for approximately four hours to the birth. The mother developed a fever or 38.5 after the epidural was given. The baby demonstrated a similar after birth with a pH of 6.98 with a base deficit of 15.4. The defendants contend that there was not sufficient loss of variability to justify intervention. They contended that the cord gas did not evidence significant metabolic acidosis and the child course after birth was more consistent with intrauterine infection, bacterial infection than interpartem hypoxia. Plaintiffs contended that there was clear evidence of non-reassuring fetal heart tones suggestive of metabolic acidosis which required earlier intervention. Plaintiffs contended that the baby’s presentation after birth was classic for interpartum asphyxia and met most of ACOG’s guidelines for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy from interpartum events. The child is a spastic quadriplegic, tube fed with global delays, including severe cognitive deficits. Defense contented life-expectancy was limited. Plaintiffs contended life expectancy was near normal. This is believed to be a record settlement for an obstetrical case. This confidential settlement is considered to be a record settlement or verdict in the state where it was obtained.