San Antonio Legal Blog

Military medical malpractice attributed to lack of experience

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson on Monday, June 18, 2018.

We have seen countless stories and reports over the years describing the different sufferings caused by medical malpractices by various military hospitals, but have seen little improvement from within as the statistics have rarely changed.

A recent article from U.S. News & World Report helps us understand at least one reason why. Nearly every military hospital in the nation deal with far less high-risk surgeries than non-military hospitals, leaving most of their medical team unprepared when they do get assigned one.

The sound of silence: Veteran sues VA for medical malpractice

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson posted in VA Hospital Negligence on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

When his country was at war, he answered loudly and clearly. Today, the 66-year-old Viet Nam veteran can't say a word.

Back in 2015, he went to his local VA to have an outpatient procedure to help cure a phlegm buildup in his throat. Doctors said Botox injections would resolve his throat issue with no permanent side effects. Three years later, he can barely make a sound with his paralyzed vocal chords.

Number of civil actions filed against former VA worker

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson on Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

A former physician’s assistant currently in prison for sexually assaulting veterans during medical exams is the subject of a slew of civil lawsuits, including medical malpractice. Mark E. Wisner is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence for crimes committed while he worked at the Eisenhower Veterans Administration Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas, from 2008 to 2014.

The attorneys representing nearly 70 veteran victims so far predicted that as many as 100 civil lawsuits will be filed against Wisner seeking damages of $2 million or more. In addition, the legal team said the number of victims actually may be as high as nearly 200.

Jury awards mom $4 million in medical malpractice case

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson posted in Military Medical Malpractice on Wednesday, May 23, 2018.

As regular readers of our San Antonio legal blog know, we have repeatedly covered serious problems in military and civilian hospitals with negligent doctors and staff. Perhaps no case of medical malpractice is more heartbreaking than those that involve birth injuries.

We read recently of a Pennsylvania mom who fought for justice for her 32-day-old daughter who died because of preventable medical errors that included a failure to diagnose a serious, though common ailment.

Vietnam vet awarded $6.3 million in medical malpractice case

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson posted in Military Medical Malpractice on Saturday, May 12, 2018.

Nearly six years ago, a Vietnam veteran went to a hospital for a "fairly routine" surgery for prostate cancer. Though the operation went well, the patient – now 71 years old – complained of leg pain and numbness.

He and his attorneys argued recently in court that because of doctor negligence, the vet had to have his left leg amputated soon after the prostate surgery. He was recently awarded nearly $6.3 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit for pain and suffering, as well as disfigurement, emotional distress, loss of consortium and reasonable expenses for necessary medical care.

Advocate for yourself in all medical matters

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson posted in blog on Monday, April 30, 2018.

More than 250,000 people die each year because of errors that have taken place in hospitals and health care facilities. The reasons for medical malpractice vary, but the most common include diagnosis errors; surgical errors; sedation mistakes, medication errors; and childbirth injuries.

What’s going on here? Physicians and health care workers face numerous challenges, and like other workers, they can make mistakes. But that’s not reassuring to know, especially if you’ve been in a serious accident and need treatment; face life-threatening surgery; or had an allergic reaction to medication.

Navy veteran says missed diagnosis has him facing the end

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson posted in VA Hospital Negligence on Wednesday, April 25, 2018.

It's likely that you haven't recently heard much about the infamous "bridge to nowhere." Though the proposed Alaska bridge was a big campaign issue back in 2008, it has long since faded from the political vocabulary.

A recent article about the devastating effects of missed diagnosis on a Navy veteran brought back memories of the bridge. The vet stricken with cancer had words of advice for the new secretary of the US Department of Veterans Affairs: "It's more important to take care of your veterans than it is to get approval for a bridge to nowhere.”

Broken epidural needle found in woman's spine after 14 years

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson posted in Military Medical Malpractice on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.

The top news story of the year was the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Top songs of 2004 included hits by Britney Spears, Dixie Chicks and Kid Rock. Top movies included "Finding Nemo," "Mystic River" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."

If all of that seems like a long, long time ago, ponder this: a woman who gave birth that year and has suffered back pain ever since just found out the source of the ache: she had a broken epidural needle stuck in her spine. She is apparently planning to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the military hospital where she gave birth in 2004.

Washington hospital’s issues exemplify problems at VA facilities

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson posted in blog on Friday, March 30, 2018.

A highly critical report of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that highlighted poor leadership, excessive waste, the misplacement of medical supplies and endangering patients at its Washington, D.C., hospital has led to senior leadership changes at more than 20 hospitals throughout the country.

The fallout from the report released in early March by Inspector General Michael Missal led VA Secretary David Shulkin to admit that “many of these issues are unacceptable” and it was time for the VA “to do business differently.”

Overview of medical malpractice categories

On behalf of Law Office of Jeffrey C. Anderson posted in Military Medical Malpractice on Friday, March 30, 2018.

As regular readers of our San Antonio Legal Blog know, we regularly focus on medical negligence issues of importance to veterans and veterans' families. These issues are not limited to those who have served in our nation's military, however.

The health care industry is booming, with rapid growth in care providers. With the growth comes problems, unfortunately, as physicians, nurses and others are too often unwilling to pay attention to the details of patient care so important in modern medicine. The result can be preventable mistakes that cause serious harm to patients.