In the event that you find yourself suffering from the injuries associated with a doctor’s negligent or reckless treatment of you or towards you, you may be entitled to recover compensation by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Who you choose to serve in the role of medical malpractice attorney is an important decision. This individual will represent you over the entirety of your case and he or she should be committed to the best possible outcome for you. When you have questions about not just your condition but also how the process works, it can be in your best interests to work with a lawyer who has a medical background. He or she will be brought up to speed in your case quickly and be able to help point you in the right direction when it comes to filing your case. A good Baltimore medical malpractice attorney will know that each case is unique and that you need the insight of someone who will work hard on your behalf from start to finish. Can You Benefit from a Lawyer Who Understands These Complex Issues? There are numerous different reasons why you should hire a malpractice attorney but it is also important who you choose to serve in this critical role. Since your attorney will have such a significant impact on the outcome of your case and your ability to recover from this unfortunate situation, your malpractice attorney should have an extensive background in handling cases like this. There are also numerous benefits associated with having a malpractice attorney who has a medical background. He or she will likely have the network and the resources necessary to evaluate your legal claim and point you in the right direction as far as getting a second opinion and the questions that must be answered in order to move forward with a medical malpractice claim. Your attorney will also be familiar with how the legal cases tend to unfold in Baltimore and across Maryland, and can help understand the ways that the medical malpractice has impacted your life. How Medical Malpractice Impacts Victims There are numerous different ways that your life may be forever changed as a result of a doctor’s reckless or negligent treatment towards you. An experienced attorney is strongly recommended if you find yourself in this situation. Make sure when you have your initial consultation with an attorney that you ask extensive questions about their background. An attorney who has a medical background may have a better grasp on your unique condition as well as the standard of care that should have been applied in your case. Bear in mind that a lawyer will be helping you determine the most appropriate course of action to protect yourself and represent you going forward. Your lawyer should be dedicated to representing your interests. Bear in mind that the other side will probably have comprehensive experience in defending these types of claims as well. This makes it all the more important to have an attorney who understands the system and who will work hard to represent you. Find an Attorney Who Cares About You No matter what medical conditions you are suffering with as a result of malpractice, you need an attorney who cares about you and the remainder of your life. Medical malpractice can wreak havoc on the life of a victim and his or her family members. An attorney with a medical background will be more prepared and more confident in handling your case as you move forward through the legal system. Medical malpractice can be caused by numerous different factors but is frequently linked to common issues such as prescription errors, misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, failure to treat, surgical errors, birth injuries, and other situations where the doctor fails to uphold the standard of care necessary for patients. If you find yourself in this situation, it is imperative that you take action sooner rather than later to protect yourself. You may be entitled to recover compensation. Although compensation cannot undo the significant wrong that has already been done to you, it can help you move forward into the future and focus on recovery.
Medication Errors That Can Occur During Transcription
Watch our video to learn more about medication errors that can occur during transcription. Learn More: Medication Errors That Can Occur During Prescribing and Writing Orders How Do Medication Errors Arise? Examples Of Medication Errors An Overview Of The Prescription Medication Process Video Transcript Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:21 Medication Errors That Can Occur During Transcription: Does A Pharmacist Do? 0:58 Medication Errors That Can Occur During Transcription: Transcription Errors 1:29 Medication Errors That Can Occur During Transcription: Prescription Entry Errors Along the prescription of the medication process, after ordering, and after documenting, that prescription now needs to be appropriately transcribed or interpreted. 0:21 Medication Errors That Can Occur During Transcription: What Does A Pharmacist Do? In the U.S., typically, the professional whose job it is to interpret and properly transcribe a prescription medication order is a professional known as a pharmacist, and these individuals are trained and indeed credentialed and licensed as practicing pharmacists, and their job is to understand and implement each and every detail of that documented prescription. 0:58 Transcription Errors If the pharmacist cannot read, that can result in transcription errors. If the pharmacist misinterprets in some way or misunderstands either the manually written or the electronically delivered prescription, we have again, chances for what would basically be called transcription errors. 1:29 Prescription Entry Errors If the pharmacist is required to re-enter certain kinds of information or data from that prescription into another data set or system, we have the possibility of entry types of errors occurring. These are examples of how the transcribing process could go wrong in the medication prescription process. But stay with me, we have three more videos to lay out for you the remaining aspects of the medication prescription process. What are Medication Errors and How Can They Be Avoided? Medication errors are mistakes that a prudent and reasonable person would not make in similar circumstances. Medical malpractice is when a doctor or nurse does something that another person would not do. This could lead to patient injury. Any mistake in medication that results in the inappropriate treatment of a patient is a medication error. Prescription of the wrong medication Do not prescribe the wrong dosage Failure to verify a patient’s drug history Neglecting potential drug interactions Administration of the wrong medication Administration of medication to the wrong patient Dosage error Medication errors can happen during manufacturing, labeling, and packaging. The plaintiff, or the San Antonio prescription error attorney, will have to trace the medication error back at its source and determine the identity of the defendant. A trial lawyer may help investigate an alleged medication error. How to Prove Your Medication Error The first step in seeking compensation for medication errors is to identify the defendant. The at-fault party or defendant could be the prescribing doctor who made the critical error. The at-fault party could also include the prescribing physician, pharmacist, or manufacturer of the medication. The four elements required by a prescription error lawyer are necessary to prove medical malpractice. Duty. A doctor-patient relationship that existed at the time of the medication mistake, and a duty to care for this relationship. Breach. The breach of the duty of care by the defendant. A negligent or reckless act that would not have occurred if reasonable medical care was available. Causation. A causal connection between the defendant’s negligence, the medication error, and the defendant. Damages. The specific damages that the patient sustained because of the defendant’s breach of duty include personal injury, medical bills, and other damages. The defendant responsible for your damages will be the one who is most to blame. An attorney can help you to understand your case and prove that it is medical malpractice. Most of our physician-attorneys are either current or past treating doctors in, collectively, a wide range of medical specialties. There is a good chance one or more of our physician attorneys have actually treated medical conditions similar to the ones from which you or your loved one now suffers. That translates into care and understanding as your Counselors, and know-how as your Advocates. Any honest medical malpractice attorney will tell you that one of the greatest expenses in a medical malpractice case is having to pay physician experts to study the details of the medical issues in your case and, if necessary, provide testimony at deposition and trial. While even our physician attorneys may also need to hire outside medical experts for your case, our medical know-how allows us to perform a significant amount of the medical analysis necessary for your case in-house which may translate into significant savings at the conclusion of your case. Because we have in-house medical know-how, we can evaluate the medical questions in your case and provide answers without a lengthy wait. Our internal process involves getting the issues in your case quickly in front of the right physician attorney who, based on his or her medical experience and training, is most likely to have the answers you seek about whether you have a case and how we might help you get the compensation you deserve to help secure a brighter future for you and for your loved ones.
Should You Take an Unsick Day?
Fans of the classic children’s book Through the Looking-Glass may recall the Mad Hatter encouraging Alice to celebrate her “unbirthday” — the 364 days a year on which it is not a person’s birthday. Now, some health experts are urging employers to give their workers a paid “unsick day” to get routine medical checkups. If you have been injured due to a doctor’s negligence, your health should be your top priority. Protect your right to receive the compensation you deserve by working with an experienced Washington, D.C. medical malpractice lawyer. What Is an Unsick Day? American employers are not particularly known for being generous with employee vacation time, parental leave, or sick days. According to employment experts, many workers are afraid they will be singled out or stigmatized as lazy or unproductive if they make use of their allotted days off. Other workers worry they will miss out on a promotion if they miss a day of work to attend a doctor’s appointment. In fact, 55 percent of the American workforce declines to use their available vacation days. Because the majority of states in the U.S. are at-will employment states — which gives employers the right to fire a worker for any reason at all outside protected statuses, such as race and religion — few workers want to give their boss or employer an excuse to hand them a pink slip. However, all this hard work may come at a steep cost. Medical professionals say there is a definitive link between being overworked and poor health. Furthermore, 60 percent of workers surveyed say they aren’t comfortable using their paid time off to attend regular medical checkups, meaning many workers are foregoing important screenings that could detect disease and health problems. Now, one doctor appointment scheduling app is promoting the idea of “unsick days,” which would be specifically earmarked for preventative care appointments. According to a CNBC report, the creators of the Zocdoc app were motivated to start the trend after discovering that their own employees were not taking advantage of days off to seek routine health care. When they looked at their own company culture, they were astonished to find that just one-third of their workers were using the menu of preventative services offered by the company’s health insurance plan. Zocdoc has already partnered with 11 companies, which have agreed to give their workers an extra paid day off each year for regular medical checkups. Regular Checkups Matter The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agrees that regular medical checkups are important. Many diseases and conditions are treatable if they are caught early. Left untreated, however, an individual can require invasive or lengthy care, which can cost employers millions of dollars and patients additional stress, anxiety, and pain. In fact, preventive care is so important, there is an entire branch of medicine devoted to it. The American College of Preventive Medicine is recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialists and focuses on the prevention of disease and death. Any time you can stop a deadly or serious disease in its tracks, it’s a very merry unsick day, indeed. Talk to a Physician-Attorney about Your Case If you have been injured due to a doctor’s negligence or a hospital’s mistake, don’t wait to get legal help. A knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can explain your rights and help you determine the next steps in your case. Many of the lawyers at LawMD are also physicians. Call today to schedule your free case evaluation.
NJ TRAIN CRASH RAISES AWARENESS OF DEVASTATING INJURIES IN TRANSIT CRASHES
A devastating accident involving a transit train that crashed into the station leaves one individual dead and hundreds injured. Unfortunately, this is just the latest story involving a train gone rogue where passengers and those on the tracks were the ones who suffered in the form of critical injuries. In the wake of this devastating accident, this is an important reminder that train accidents can happen anywhere and that it’s critical to get medical and legal help as soon as possible after a crash occurs so as to protect your rights now and in the future. If you or someone you know was hurt in a train crash, you need a Maryland personal injury lawyer to help you file a claim as soon as possible after the accident happens. Did you know that some injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries, may be difficult or impossible to identify moments after the crash? You need to continue monitoring your situation in order to report changes to your doctor if you notice pain or other medical problems post-accident. While train accidents are still relatively rare compared with vehicle crashes or motorcycle collisions, the capacity of a train often means severe injuries for many more people than a typical car crash. For example, hundreds of people were on board an Amtrak train that derailed in April of this year. Two people were killed and at least 30 had to go to the hospital. The accident is still under investigation by the authorities, but preliminary reports suggest that the train was moving at a high rate of speed when the accident occurred. The train came barreling into the station so quickly that the integrity of the roof was compromised. Early reports from the scene of the crash show that it was caused by either operator error or was truly an accident. The National Transportation Safety Board would not allow Investigators in the area near where the crash occurred shortly after the accident because the roof had collapsed and they were also concerned about asbestos exposure. Engineers were ultimately able to Get inside far enough to retrieve the black box from the train in order to determine more about how the accident may have happened. The second compartment containing a black box, however, was difficult to obtain, although it may reveal more information about why the crash occurred. Despite the fact that technology has improved dramatically on trains and in all kinds of Passenger Transportation options in the last couple of decades, accidents that lead to devastating injuries can and do still occur. This most recent train accident illustrates just how much a train crash can impact a victim’s life. Those individuals who sustained critical injuries may find it hard to return to work or enjoy everyday activities as they did prior to the accident. This is why Maryland personal injury law empowers those injured individuals to pursue a personal injury claim period a personal injury claim may be the only way to recover compensation and hold parties accountable in court. Immediately after an accident involving a train, you can expect that attorneys representing the train company may reach out to you in order to obtain a statement or to reach a settlement. Although this is certainly standard procedure on their end, it is really in your best interest to sign anything or agree to anything without the inside of your Maryland personal injury lawyer. Signing something too early could compromise your ability to recover Fair compensation for your injuries. As a victim in a train crash, it is imperative to have your rights evaluated by an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident happens. Consulting with your medical professionals and receiving an official diagnosis of the injuries associated with the accident may help you file a personal injury claim in Maryland. You may also be entitled to file a medical malpractice claim if the doctor who treated you for injuries after a train accident was negligent in his or her treatment. Train crash personal injury cases can be extremely complex because they may involve multiple liable parties. This is why it is essential to consult with a lawyer who has experience representing those individuals injured in cases like this before. Set up an initial free consultation to learn more about your rights and your next steps.
HOW TO RESEARCH A DOCTOR
We use professionals of all kinds on a regular basis, from auto mechanics to hairstylists to plumbers. When we need someone to perform services like that and we don’t already have a trusted professional in mind, most of us will ask our friends and colleagues for recommendations and/or do research on the internet to find a reputable service provider who will be the best fit for our needs. When it comes to finding a doctor for ourselves or our family, making the right choice is even more important, and can be even more challenging. While asking for referrals and doing online research is pretty much standard operating procedure for people looking for a physician, it is crucial that you know what to look for and where you can find that information. Here are some key things to look for when looking for a doctor, courtesy of Consumer Reports: Insurance coverage. Check your insurance to make sure that the physician you are considering is in your network. Hospital affiliation. Where a doctor has admitting privileges will determine what hospital you will go to if you need surgery or other services. You will want to do research on that doctor’s hospital(s) to see how that facility compares with other hospitals in your area. Board certification. Being certified through the American Board of Medical Specialties means a doctor has earned a medical degree from a qualified medical school, completed three to seven years of accredited residency training, is licensed by a state medical board, and has passed one or more exams administered by a member of the ABMS. You can visit www.certificationmatters.org to see whether a physician is board certified in their specialty. Malpractice claims and disciplinary actions. Just because a doctor has been sued for malpractice in the past doesn’t mean they are a bad doctor; almost every doctor will face at least one malpractice claim from a patient at some point in their career. But where there’s smoke, there can be fire, and multiple suits on a regular basis or discipline by a state medical board can be red flags about the doctor’s competence or ethics. Compatibility. The doctor-patient relationship is a very personal one. It is crucial that you feel comfortable with your physician so you can be open and honest with him or her about your questions and concerns, and it is vital that you feel a sense of trust and confidence in their advice. When first visiting a new doctor, consider whether the doctor listens to you without interrupting, and whether he or she fully answers your questions. Office policies. Ask how long it takes to make an appointment for a routine visit (it should be less than a week), whether they offer same-day appointments, and how long patients are kept in the waiting room. Physician Research Resources AMA DoctorFinder Castle Connolly Healthgrades.com National Committee for Quality Assurance Physician Compare RateMDs.com Don’t Wait! Contact A Washington, D.C. Medical Malpractice Attorney Today No one should have to suffer because of the negligence of those responsible for our care, health, and well-being. When that happens, LawMD’s medical malpractice lawyers serving Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia stand ready to provide experienced and aggressive legal representation. Please give us a call at (833) 695-2963 to set up your free consultation or contact us online. We look forward to assisting you.
5 MOST COMMON TYPES OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
Medical malpractice is now the third leading cause of death in the United States. Every year, 251,000 Americans die due to a medical mistake. In fact, medical errors claim more lives than strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, and respiratory disease. Although medical mistakes can take many forms, certain errors are more common than others. If you believe you have been injured by a doctor’s mistake, contact a Washington, DC Medical Malpractice Lawyer as soon as possible. In most cases, you have a narrow window of opportunity to file a medical malpractice claim. If you wait too long, you can forever miss your chance to get compensation for your injuries. Here are five of the most common medical errors, which give rise to medical malpractice claims: Misdiagnosis Walk into any hospital or doctor’s waiting room, and you will probably notice they are busy places. Doctors regularly handle a large number of patients, and under-staffing is a big problem in many hospitals across the country. This busy atmosphere is just one reason why misdiagnoses happen. According to a study published in BMJ Quality & Safety, about 12 million people are misdiagnosed in the U.S. each year. When doctors miss a disease or diagnose the wrong disease or health condition, patients can suffer serious harm. Birth Injuries The birth of a baby is supposed to be a time of anticipation and joy. Unfortunately, birth injuries are a top cause of medical malpractice. Childbirth is the most common reason for hospitalization in the United States, so there is significant data relating to birth injuries. In 2006 alone, nearly 157,700 mothers and babies suffered injuries during labor and delivery. The tragedy of these cases is that the majority of birth injuries are avoidable. Cerebral palsy is the most common birth injury, with about 8,000 babies diagnosed each year. Medication Mistakes When it comes to prescription drugs, a single misplaced decimal point can kill. There are about 1 million drug mistakes every year, and prescription drug errors result in 7,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. Common drug mistakes include dispensing the wrong medication, giving a drug to the wrong patient, dispensing the wrong dosage of a drug, and failing to check for drug interactions and allergies. Drug mistakes are also on the rise in nursing homes, where elderly patients take more medications compared to patients in other age groups. Many nursing home residents also suffer from diminished mental capacity, which can make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to speak up when a drug mistake occurs. Anesthesia Errors Over the past century, advances in anesthesia have revolutionized medicine, and particularly surgery. Without it, the lengthy surgical procedures doctors perform today would not be possible. Although most surgery is incredibly safe, anesthesia mistakes are a common form of medical malpractice. In recent years, many freestanding and outpatient surgery centers have replaced anesthesiologists with nurse anesthetists, who are not medical doctors and do not have the same training as board certified anesthesiologists. Surgical Mistakes Everyone has heard horror stories of sponges left behind in patients, or doctors operating on the wrong body part or even the wrong patient. If you think these mistakes are rare, think again. In fact, wrong site surgery – surgery on the wrong body part – happens 40 times each week in the United States. Researchers say these egregious mistakes happen due to doctor fatigue, poor communication, and scheduling problems. Don’t Wait! Call a Medical Malpractice Lawyer about Your Case If you believe you have been the victim of a medical mistake, get your case evaluated by a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. Medical negligence cases are complicated, and the time to file a claim is limited. Your lawyer will review the details surrounding your case and help you explore your options. Call (833) 695-2963.
How To Get My Medical Records in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
Type in “how do I order my medical records in Philadelphia?” into Google, and you get over 74 million results. It’s hard to know where to locate these documents, especially when proving your injuries (or the treatment you received for these injuries) in a medical malpractice case. Here’s how to order your medical records in Philadelphia. Your Right to Medical Records Under HIPAA You have the legal right to view your medical records in Philadelphia. That’s the law under HIPAA. Approach your healthcare provider about your records. Each provider in Philadelphia has specific protocols for accessing data, but you usually need to fill out a form or request your records via mail or email. If you have over one provider, you will need to contact each one separately. Otherwise, the information required to support your medical malpractice case might be incomplete. Why Medical Records are Essential to the Evaluation of a Case for Potential Malpractice Your medical malpractice attorney will most likely need to see your records to Prepare your medical malpractice case and provide specialist advice. Establish whether the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries. Determine damages for lost earnings, medical bills, and other losses because of your injuries. How Do I Order My Medical Records in Philadelphia? Why Some Requests Take Longer Than Others. After you request your records, in most cases your provider must approve your request within 30 days Sometimes this process takes longer. If your provider cannot locate your data, it must tell you why in writing. Strategies to Get Your Records Faster Can I Look at My Own Medical Records for Free? Your provider can charge you a fee for copying and mailing your health data but not accessing this information. Make sure you know the total cost to speed up the process. How Can I Access My Medical Records Online? Ask your provider whether you can access health information online rather than waiting for someone in the medical office to locate your records. How Do I Order My Medical Records in Philadelphia Through an Attorney? A qualified medical malpractice attorney can request your records and deal with medical and insurance offices on your behalf. Did you know LawMD has a list of links to help you retrieve health information from nearly every hospital in Philadelphia? Learn more. Cost of Records and Methods to Pay the Least Amount of Money for Records The cost of copying and mailing your health information depends on the provider but may cost as much as around one dollar per page. You can reduce costs by requesting electronic copies of your records, which typically cost less than paper copies. Your provider might waive its fees if you are experiencing financial hardship. How Do I Get My Medical Records From My Doctor? Conclusion. You might ask yourself: “How do I order my medical records in Philadelphia?” Locating these records for your legal case can take a while, so start now. Follow the tips above and work with a Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyer to speed up the process. LawMD makes retrieving your health information simple with a list of links to help you request records from any hospital in Philadelphia. Find your medical records below! Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hospitals Medical Record Release Forms Abington Hospital – Jefferson Health Abramson Cancer Center Albert Einstein Medical Center Bryn Mawr Hospital Cancer Treatment Centers of America Chestnut Hill Hospital Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Drexel Internal Medicine Center City Episcopal Hospital – Episcopal Hospital does not offer medical forms online. Call (215) 707-1200 and request your form by mail. Your forms will be mailed and should arrive in 3-5 business days. Fairmount Behavioral Health System Fox Chase Cancer Center Frankford Hospital (Aria Health) Friends Hospital Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Jefferson Bucks Hospital Jefferson Frankford Hospital Jefferson Torresdale Hospital Jefferson Moss-Magee Rehabilitation Hospital – Center City Mercy Philadelphia Hospital (Mercy Health System) Methodist Hospital-Jefferson Nazareth Hospital (Mercy Health System) Penn Presbyterian Medical Center Pennsylvania VA Medical Center Roxborough Memorial Hospital – Roxborough Memorial Hospital does not offer medical forms online. Call (215) 483-9900 and request your form by mail. Your forms will be mailed and should arrive in 3-5 business days. – Be prepared to submit a copy of a valid photo ID upon your request. St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children – St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children does not offer medical forms online. Call 215-427-5000 and request your form by mail. Your forms will be mailed and should arrive in 3-5 business days. St. Joseph’s Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Temple University Hospital Thomas Jefferson University Hospital WillsEye Hospital Learn More: How To Get My Medical Records in Baltimore, Maryland PRIVACY POLICY
How To Get My Medical Records in Baltimore, Maryland
Medical records are a key part of your legal claim. Under HIPAA, you have a right to order your medical records in Baltimore, Maryland. But even though you can look at your own medical records, that doesn’t mean you’ll get them quickly. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to get the records you need faster and at little or no cost. The knowledgeable attorneys at LawMD can step in to help. You Have the Right to Medical Records under HIPAA HIPAA is a federal law that governs all patient documents. Under this law, care providers must keep patient documents for six years. The Medical Records Act of Maryland says patient records, X-rays, and laboratory reports must be kept for a minimum of five years. When Maryland law and HIPAA are in conflict, you have the benefit of the most protective legislation that covers your medical records. Your Medical Records Provide Core Evidence of Potential Malpractice Medical malpractice cases look at whether your doctors gave you the right care. Courts make this decision based on many factors. Your medical records show the steps your doctors took when they treated you. They also show the state of your health or injury prior to, during, and after treatment. This information also determines: The extent of medical negligence. The severity of your injuries. The amount of potential damages (monetary award). The records also give your attorneys a heads-up about any defense your doctors may have. You May Not Get Your Medical Records Right Away Healthcare providers in Baltimore, Maryland must respond to medical record requests within 21 days. Otherwise, they face fines under Maryland law. But your medical records may nonetheless take time to come. That’s because the hospital or clinic will look closely at the request before going ahead with it. It also takes time to find and copy the right records. For many healthcare providers, getting records is not a priority. Sometimes patients or their lawyers have to push to get timely access to the documents. You Can Take Steps to Get Quicker Access to Medical Records The lawyers at LawMD have helped many clients get medical records. Here’s what helps the requests go through more quickly: Make an error-free request. Use the right words when describing the kinds of records you need. As an example, “lab tests” might not include “x-rays.” Your attorney can make sure you have a complete and accurate request. Ask for only the records you need. The most records you ask for, the longer it takes for the doctor to find and copy them. Limit your request to what’s essential for your case. Your lawyer can help you narrow this down. Send the request to the right department. Your request can get lost in the system if it goes to the wrong place. LawMD has a helpful list of how to put in HIPAA requests for healthcare providers in Baltimore. Follow up regularly. Keep up-to-date with your request with regular inquiries to the provider. For a person living with the aftermath of a medical injury, this can seem like a lot. LawMD can help take care of it for you. You Can Scrutinize the Cost of Records Under HIPAA and Maryland law, healthcare providers can charge for the cost of copying paper records. They can also charge for retrieving, preparing, shipping, and handling of records. If the records are electronic, the provider can only charge for labor costs to provide an electronic copy of the record. If the bill for your records seems high, you can question it. Unreasonable fees are unfortunately common. LawMD can help you pay only what you need to. How LawMD Can Help LawMD can be your advocate for retrieving medical records. Several of our attorneys are also doctors. We know when you might have a case and commit to standing by you through your legal claim. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. Baltimore, Maryland Hospitals Medical Record Release Forms Baltimore VA Medical Center Johns Hopkins Hospital Kennedy Krieger Institute (No forms available online – form received from hospital rep via email and is available for email download only) MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital MedStar Harbor Hospital MedStar Union Memorial Hospital Mercy Medical Center Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital – Release to patients/ parents/ legal guardians Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital – Release to third party Saint Agnes Hospital Sinai Hospital of Baltimore Learn More: https://www.lawmd.com/baltimore-medical-malpractice https://www.lawmd.com/blog/essential-steps-for-suing-a-hospital-for-malpractice https://www.lawmd.com/blog/what-constitutes-malpractice-in-maryland https://www.lawmd.com/blog/common-birth-injuries-in-maryland
How to Get My Medical Records in Washington D.C.
Ever thought about, “How do I order my medical records in Washington D.C.?,” or “How can I access my medical records online?” Few things are more personal than your medical records. And regardless of why you want them (maybe you’re moving to a new city, seeking a new primary care provider or maybe you suspect medical malpractice), you should be able to obtain them quickly and easily. In fact, getting a copy of your medical records is a legal right protected by HIPAA, the federal healthcare privacy law. Unfortunately, just because it’s a legal right does not mean it’s always a straightforward process. In this post, we’ll discuss the process of obtaining your medical records in Washington DC, and what to be aware of throughout. Let’s dive in. How Do I Order My Medical Records in Washington DC? “How can I access my medical records online?” “How do I get my medical records from my doctor?” “Can I look at my own medical records?” If you’re asking these questions, you are not alone. Fortunately, you can get a copy of your records quickly by following these steps: 1. Know your rights If you’re trying to obtain your medical records, you may run into providers who say it’s not their policy to provide patients with copies of medical records. While that response tends to stop record-seeking patients in their tracks, the practices are actually in the wrong. Either those practices do not know the law, or they are willfully ignoring it. In every state, HIPAA protects a patient’s right to view their health and surgical information, obtain paper or electronic copies of their medical records, and petition to correct errors, inaccuracies, or incomplete information in medical records. With this in mind, don’t take “no” for an answer from a medical provider. They’re required to provide you with copies of your record under the law, and you have a right to view all clinical notes, X-rays, lab results, and billing records. 2. Know who to request the records from As a patient, you can request records directly from DC-based healthcare providers and facilities, clinics, hospitals, private practices, nursing homes, and urgent care centers. Depending on your needs, you can also request your records from government and private insurance providers and freestanding diagnostic labs. If you are the parent of a minor or a legal guardian of someone else, you are considered a proxy for the patient. This means you have the legal right to request access to their medical records. Marriage, however, does not automatically make you a person’s personal representative. If you would like to be your spouse’s healthcare proxy, you’ll need to fill out the paperwork required by your state. 3. Understand the timeline According to HIPAA, record requests should be completed within 30 days. In some states, however, providers are required to turn records around in less time than that. Maryland and California providers, for example, must deliver records within 21 days and 15 days, respectively. If you request medical records that are not readily accessible for the provider, the provider is entitled to one 30-day extension. If your provider requires and is approved for an extension, they must provide you with an update in writing. Remember that HIPAA is the law of the land when it comes to medical records requests. This means that, even if your state has its own record requests law, HIPA’s larger rules override them. 4. Understand the fee Under HIPAA law, providers are entitled to charge a “reasonable fee” to cover the costs associated with producing and transmitting medical records. The fee may cover shipping costs, for example. It can not, however, cover the time spent searching for medical records. That said, keep your eyes open for “retrieval” or “handling” fees, which are likely illegal. Obtain Your Medical Records There’s no need to keep asking “how do I order my medical records in Washington D.C?” LawMD has everything you need to retrieve your medical records in Washington D.C. LawMD has compiled a list of all major medical facilities in Washington D.C. and the best way to request your medical records from each! This valuable resource will save you hours of cutting through red tape. Have questions? Contact LawMD today.. Washington D.C. Hospitals Medical Record Release Forms Children’s National Medical Center George Washington University Hospital Hospital for Sick Children Pediatric Center (HSC) HSC does not offer online. You will need to call and request this form over the phone. The form will be emailed to you by one of the staff members. Howard University Hospital MedStar Georgetown University Hospital MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital MedStar Washington Hospital Center Providence Hospital (hospital officially closed) Psychiatric Institute of Washington Saint Elizabeths Hospital Sibley Memorial Hospital (Johns Hopkins Medicine) United Medical Center – United Medical Center does not offer forms online. You will need to call and request this form over the phone. The form will be emailed to you by one of the staff members. Washington DC VA Medical Center Learn More: How To Get My Medical Records in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR SUING A HOSPITAL FOR MALPRACTICE
FIRST STEPS IN A MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASE
The majority of medical malpractice cases today are brought forward by patients who were injured or harmed as a result of a mistake in diagnosis or unsatisfactory medical treatment on behalf of a medical provider like a technician, a doctor, a hospital, a medical worker or a nurse. The primary factor involved in these cases is whether or not the medical provider failed to give the patient proper care. This is determined based on how a reasonable care provider would have reacted in similar circumstances. Although most healthcare providers in the United States today aim to provide patients with the highest standard of care, there are certainly times when things go wrong and it can be the patient who ends up paying the price. If you or someone you know has recently experienced inadequate medical care as a result of a doctor’s negligence or reckless behavior, you may be entitled to compensation. If you or someone you love has experienced lack of consent, improper medical care, breach of confidentiality, misdiagnosis, surgical errors, or medication errors, and you have suffered injury and harm as a result, you could be entitled to medical malpractice recovery with the help of an experienced Baltimore attorney. These are the steps you need to follow in order to bring a medical malpractice case. Contact the Involved Medical Professional It is strongly recommended that you reach out to the medical professional prior to filing a claim. This is your opportunity to learn more about what could have gone wrong and for your physician to determine whether or not this is an issue that can be fixed. Medical providers are usually reasonable and want to perform services to correct a problem or suggest some type of a solution. Even if this is not the case, consulting with a medical professional can give you an idea of next steps. Reach Out to The Appropriate Medical Licensing Board If the medical professional fails to give you assistance with the situation, you may wish to contact the licensing board in your state. Although the licensing board usually cannot order a medical professional to compensate you for your injuries, they can give disciplinary warnings to the doctor and advise you of next steps. Consult with Another Doctor A medical assessment from another physician can give you a good idea of whether or not medical malpractice occurred and allow you to gather the relevant information to set up a meeting with a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney. Bear in mind that all civil claims including those involving allegations of medical malpractice have strict time limits and must be filed promptly. It is a good idea to set up a consultation with a doctor to get a second opinion as well as a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible after you have been injured. Consult with a Lawyer Getting a qualified medical malpractice attorney in Baltimore to review your case can make a big difference. In fact, you are more likely to recover fair compensation for your injuries if you consult with a lawyer sooner rather than later. Medical malpractice cases can be costly and timely so an experienced Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer can tell you more about your rights and whether it is in your best interests to consider settlement outside of court. An experienced lawyer will work hard to understand the full extent of your injuries and develop a plan to represent your interest to the fullest in any settlement negotiations or in court. Your medical malpractice lawyer should have extensive experience in the field helping clients just like you. Do not hesitate to reach out the get the legal help that you need moving forward. Speaking with a lawyer does not mean you have to file a medical malpractice suit, but the first consultation can help you figure out whether it’s right for you. Individuals who have sustained injuries at the hands of a doctor and their family members have every reason to get help from a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Don’t let the statute of limitations pass you by; get help now.
Cancer Misdiagnosis For Common Cancer Types – What You Can Do
Watch the video below to learn all you need to know about cancer misdiagnosis for common cancer types. Video Transcript What about if you have a common cancer, squamous cell, adenocarcinoma, and the diagnosis comes from a given site, maybe from a lymph node and maybe the primary source of the cancer is not traced to the right organ. This is critical of as well of course, because if you’re looking at surgical management, you want to address the site of the cancer in attempting to remove the cancer, at least the greatest amount possible of that cancer from the body. So you need to be sure you’re dealing with cancer from the correct organ. By the same token, if treatment like radiation therapy or chemotherapy is needed, you want to be sure that the chemotherapy given is the most appropriate treatment for that cancer’s location within the body. So where the cancer originates is important. Organs have different radiation tolerance, certain drugs are effective in one organ for one type of cancer but not for another. So your entire outcome, despite a bad diagnosis with cancer, can be dependent on the fact that the pathology is correct and that the location of the primary cancer is made upfront. At LawMD, our staff members are trained in both medicine and law. They recognize this and can help you in a difficult circumstance like that to determine if you truly may have been a victim in the face of a bad outcome of medical negligence. That is carelessness, was your diagnosis not correct based on a pathological error that could cost you significant morbidity, a loss of the ability to work, loss of function on your body, whether it’s ambulatory or some sensation issues or issues with how certain organs function. Those again can be costly and devastating to your future and all of this is potentially recoverable by way of civil process or a lawsuit. Again, the question would be, has the standard of care been breached, and if it has, is it negligence? If we can help you answer this question, we would love the opportunity to help you here at Lawmd.com, thank you. More Information on common cancer types. One of the most powerful chameleons in disease is cancer. Many of the most common types of cancer closely mimic other diseases in terms of both their symptoms and effects. It is, therefore, difficult to diagnose abnormal cell growth in any form. However, complicated does not necessarily mean impossible. Generations of medical professionals have created a reliable standard for diagnosing, treating, and monitoring tumors over centuries of clinical experience and research. All medical malpractice cases based on this standard’s violations will be dismissed. We are committed to ensuring that justice is done after any misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of any type of cancer. Cancer Misdiagnosis For Common Cancer Types: Commonly Misdiagnosed Cancers Each cancer treatment is different. The same goes for malignancies that are difficult to diagnose. This means our trusted health professionals need to be more vigilant. These diseases require more rigorous care, which can lead to misdiagnosis and even death. We have highlighted the most common misdiagnosed types of cancer. Cancer Misdiagnosis For Common Cancer Types: Breast Cancer The most common form is breast cancer. It is a type of carcinoma that develops in the milk-carrying glands. The National Cancer Institute estimates that breast cancer is diagnosed in approximately 230,000 women annually and 2,300 men each year. Breast biopsies can be fraught with errors. Pathologists may miss cancerous cells in tissue samples or misdiagnose malignancies. An unprecedented group of researchers from Stanford and Dartmouth tested the accuracy of pathologists in 2015 by having them re-diagnose breast tissue they had previously studied. 48% of pre-cancer warning signs or early tumors were missed, while 13% of benign tissue samples were found to be a malignancy. These errors would have resulted in unchecked metastasis, unneeded mastectomies, and courses of radiation or chemo. Cancer Misdiagnosis For Common Cancer Types: Lymphoma Lymphatic cancers often mimic other conditions, and patients report feeling symptoms such as swelling of lymph nodes or chest rashes that were initially thought to be allergies. Some benign pathologies look similar to lymphoma, which can confuse the issue. A team of pathologists discovered a non-cancerous condition that looked exactly like aggressive lymphoma in the intestines. Six patients had begun chemotherapy treatment before the mistake was made. Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also known as “young people’s disease”, is a condition that affects people aged between 20 and 34. Many doctors continue to treat patients older than they should, assuming that cancers are more common as we age. Cancer Misdiagnosis For Common Cancer Types: Lung Cancer Radiologists have to be able to correctly identify lung cancers. This is one of the most challenging tasks they can undertake. Many fungal and bacterial infections can look very similar to malignant tumors in an X-ray. This can lead to misdiagnosis of lung cancer in patients who are already diagnosed with cancer. Lyme disease presents its own unique problems. The New England Center for Investigative Journalism discovered the stories of three Lyme disease patients in 2013. A man who was wrongly treated for seven years until a doctor discovered that his symptoms were caused by lung cancer, was given inappropriate treatment for seven months. One patient was prescribed antibiotics for three consecutive years until radiologists discovered a pituitary tumor that was too large to be removed. Ovarian Cancer The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition conducted a national survey and found that more than two-thirds of the 250 patients were misdiagnosed. Many people dismiss the primary symptoms of ovarian carcinoma, such as abdominal pain and bloating as signs of irritable stool syndrome or a bacterial infection of the urinary tract. Many doctors will tell patients that the problem is mental and chalk it up to stress. Many women find out months later that they have limited options after ovarian cancer. Cervical Cancer The best way to identify abnormal cell growth and prevent cervical cancer is with pap smears. Hundreds of thousands have been saved since the introduction of the test in 1943. Unlike other tissue samples, pap tests are usually analyzed first by cytotechnologists. If the initial investigator finds abnormal cells, the samples are sent to a pathologist. Reports suggest that as high as 40% of Pap test results are false negatives. Analysts fail to see the signs even though the samples may indicate abnormal cell growth. Uterine Cancer The endometrium is the layer of cells that lines the interior cavity of the uterus, where most cancers of the uterus begin. These common carcinomas, according to many experts, can be mistaken for rare and aggressive sarcomas, as the Journal of Clinical Pathology has noted. Both types of malignancy are found in the uterus. However, they require very different treatment. While sarcomas can be treated surgically, carcinomas may infiltrate the surrounding tissues. An incorrect diagnosis can lead to more pain than the actual disease. Skin Cancer and Melanoma Skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma or melanoma are the most common form. They are often misdiagnosed. However, not all skin cancer patients receive the correct diagnosis. Common signs and anomalous lesions are often overlooked by primary care physicians, which allows cancer to spread unchecked. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery surveyed 271 dermatological surgeons and found that 90% of them were treating malignancies not diagnosed by a general practitioner. Although skin cancer is the most curable form of cancer, it can be diagnosed early and treated promptly. However, malignant skin tumors can spread to other parts of the body. Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic cancer is often not visible in its early stages and can be difficult to diagnose. The malignancy eventually causes severe symptoms and can lead to death. However, these symptoms can easily be mistaken for many other conditions such as gallbladder disease. The resemblance between cancer-related conditions and cancer can lead to misdiagnosis. Patients with gallbladder disease may be mistakenly diagnosed as pancreatic cancer and are subject to a series of unnecessary tests. These difficulties are evident in scientific research. In 2015, Douglas Swords MD reviewed 313 patients who were ultimately diagnosed with pancreatic carcinoma. Nearly one-third of the patients were misdiagnosed at first, with most cases being gallbladder disease. Nearly 40% of misdiagnosed patients had gallbladders removed unnecessarily. Liver Cancer Most liver cancer cases present symptoms only after the disease has spread. Symptoms can also be vague and may be linked to other conditions. Many pathologists become “over-vigilant” and miss malignancies that are not there. A researcher from the University of New Mexico’s School of Medicine found that 23% of liver cancer patients don’t have any cancer after reviewing 50 years of autopsy data. Many people may have hemangioma (a benign liver condition). It is possible to develop liver cancer. Many cancers that originate in other tissues eventually reach the liver. Patients may have to undergo debilitating treatments that are of little or no benefit if the true source of the malignancy is not identified. Prostate Cancer Cambridge University scientists discovered that half of men with prostate cancer could actually be free from the disease in 2014. Although this is a shocking statistic, doctors often overlook the true trauma that a cancer diagnosis can cause. Patients can suffer from long-term cancer treatments and impotence, which can cause untold harm to their overall health. It can be as difficult as being told that you don’t have cancer. Pathologists might have been too diligent in finding abnormal cells, as 80% of patients will develop the disease by age 80. Bladder Cancer Bladder cancer can often be mistaken for a UTI (urinary tract infection). Both malignancies, as well as UTIs, can cause blood in the urine. Some cases of bladder cancer may be overlooked, and the symptoms of some patients will be attributed to an innocuous UTI. Patients who do not respond to antibiotics need to be reevaluated and checked for other possible diagnoses. Bladder cancers are more serious than any other type of cancer and require extra care. These diseases have a high recurrence and are among the most costly to treat. Many patients find themselves in bankruptcy while fighting for their lives. Thyroid Cancer Numerous studies suggest that thyroid cancer diagnosis rates are increasing worldwide. One reason for this increase is: Overdiagnosis of the disease may be one reason. The New York Times reported that the “thyroid cancer rate in the United States has more than doubled” since 1994. But, this increased “detection”, hasn’t resulted in the decline in survival rates you would expect. The only logical conclusion is that the tumors being detected are not cancerous and most often, are completely harmless. Many patients are still receiving hormones, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other treatments that they don’t require. Colon Cancer Colon cancer can be treated if caught early. Although misdiagnoses are rare, reports show that doctors often dismiss the symptoms of colon cancer as anything from benign polyps or hemorrhoids to depression. Although these are rare, they can be very costly. With the survival rate for patients in late-stage cancers being so low, extreme watchfulness is not only desirable but essential. Leukemia Leukemia is a common form of blood cancer in both children and adults. It can be mistaken for hemophilia or the flu. Although misdiagnosis can be rare, it is possible to have devastating consequences if the diagnosis is wrong. Many patients were misdiagnosed by multiple specialists and received incorrect results every time. There are many types of cancer, and it is possible to misdiagnose them. Failure To Diagnose & Cancer Settlements – What To Expect Video Transcript Timestamps 0:00 Intro 1:00 Your Cancer Settlement 1:52 The Strength of Your Case Well, in terms of settlements, I’ll tell you in most jurisdictions, these days, what’s called ‘alternative dispute resolution’, has been implemented into the litigation process. After both parties, both the defendant and plaintiff, have been able to exchange documents, have been able to answer questions from each other, in some cases there may be a ‘call to admit as factual’ certain issues involving the case, the parties need to exchange that willingly, and we as attorneys have a duty to deal honestly with the opposing party and to not withhold relevant evidence from them and vice versa. 1:00 Your Cancer Settlement Once that’s accomplished and both parties have full access to the facts in the case, fashioning a settlement is going to boil down to a correct calculation of exactly what the damages may be. And then factoring in the contingency that if you took this case to trial, would you prevail or would you not prevail? Again, a case with a less likely possibility of success is going to be valued more conservatively than a case where your success, where your chance of success on the merits is very high. If your chance of proving to a jury that you were a victim of medical negligence is very high, that settlement value is going to be a greater amount than if the case is, for lack of a better term, more iffy. 1:52 The Strength of Your Case So you’d like a case where there are not many ifs. You’d like certainty, you’d like a case that wasn’t in any way rebuttable, you’d like a strong expert to support your opinion, you want a reputable expert, someone whose opinion is backed by experience, perhaps publications in that area, perhaps the recognition of the development of testing and surgical procedures or techniques of the diagnosis of whatever that medical entity may be. You want to have the very best person backing your side and you’d preferably like the other side to either not be able to get support from an expert or for their expert to be far less qualified and far more reputable. So again, all of these things factor into hopefully proving the value of your settlement. And again, I cannot underestimate the value of knowledge and more so even than knowledge, experience. If someone’s experienced they may know what they don’t know, but they know where to go to find the right person, the right help to help them understand the case, and to perhaps even help the client understand the case. There are some situations where you may have a very skeptical view of the case initially, you may do some of your own research. You may make a phone call to someone who has had a similar case. You may make a call to an expert and your initial view of that case’s value may change in an instant. So again, experience, the ability to do research, the ability to find the right people to be of assistance, all go into a successful lawsuit. I believe at LawMD that we have that combination. And for that reason, I would hope that you would consider allowing us to represent you.
SPINAL CORD INJURY OVERVIEW
Spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe personal injuries a person can experience. These injuries can cause almost global paralysis and loss of sensation or otherwise cause a serious life-changing disability. The potential causes of spinal injuries are far too numerous to name but include sports accidents, slips (or trips) and falls, boating accidents, auto accidents, bullet or stab wounds, extreme twisting incidents, surgical negligence, emergency room errors and incidents during physical therapy or chiropractic treatments. Whatever the cause, a serious spinal injury is almost always a radically life-changing event in an individual’s life. If you or a loved one has experienced a serious injury to your spinal cord as the result of another person’s negligence it is important that you contact a Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer as soon as possible. Because proving medical damages in a spinal injury case involves medical records and testimony by doctors, it can be very important that the lawyers prosecuting your case understand the medical issues in your case in order to maximize your verdict or settlement. More than ten of our attorneys are also doctors. We understand the medicine in your case and use that knowledge to get results in spinal injury cases. There are many ways the spinal cord can be injured, including paralysis injuries, but spinal cord injuries are broadly divided into two categories: complete and incomplete. Incomplete spinal cord injuries: These account for more than 60 percent of spinal cord injuries. With incomplete injuries, the spinal cord is only partially severed. Some function is retained below the site of the injury. Complete spinal cord injuries: As you’d expect, complete injuries are those that completely sever the spinal cord. These injuries eliminate all function below the site of the injury. These are only the broadest categories of spinal cord injuries. These injuries are also differentiated by where the spine was injured (front, back, middle) and the patterns the paralysis takes quadriplegia, paraplegia, etc. Spinal cord injuries are also categorized in terms of their level. The level of a spinal cord injury measures which of the vertebrae has been injured. The injury level specifies which portion of the cord (cervical, thoracic, or lumbosacral) has been injured, as well as which particular vertebra has suffered the injury.In this naming and numbering system, the higher the number of the vertebra, the lower down the back it is located. The C1 (first cervical vertebra) is the first vertebra of the neck, for example. If you have suffered an injury, your doctor will give you more detailed information about which specific vertebrae are damaged. Be sure to ask questions, or have a patient advocate present to ask questions on your behalf. You will want to understand details of your injury to understand it, and to understand how you will live with your injury after your initial trauma heals. Treatment for spinal cord injuries will vary significantly depending on the nature of the injury, but you can be sure it will involve at least a few of the following: Physical therapy to strengthen the area that has been injured Surgery, whether to remove an object or body part that penetrated the spinal cord or to limit movement in the spinal column Steroid injections, to reduce inflammation Short-term use of a ventilator or feeding tube if the injury prevents easy breathing or eating Lifestyle changes (quitting smoking, switching to a healthier diet, etc.) Family and individual counseling. A severe spinal cord injury is a major change in the life of the person who receives the injury, but it is also a serious shift in the lives of an individual’s family and close friends. A free-spirited individual may suddenly find himself needing help from others to do even the most basic things. Family members may suddenly find themselves in the role of caretaker for an injured family member. These sudden changes are one of the reasons why many families seek counseling after one of their members experiences a severe spinal injury. In some cases, this counseling may go on indefinitely. Treatment for spinal cord injuries is involved and extensive. Even in the most treatable injuries, an individual is likely to need treatment for the rest of his or her life. This fact alone is partially responsible for the high medical costs involved in spinal injuries. The financial costs of spinal cord injuries are more than most people can afford. A partially paralyzed person can expect to incur more than $100,000 in medical expenses during the first year. A fully paralyzed person may incur more than $400,000 in expenses during that first year. Those are medical expenses alone. They do not include regular costs of living or lost wages due to being unable to work. Most individuals who suffer from spinal cord injuries are not able to work as much or as effectively as they did before… if they are able to work at all. It is important to note that these costs are the estimated expenses for the first year alone. A spinal cord injury is a lifelong injury that will require care and attention for the rest of the individual’s life. This means medical billings will be frequent, and it is not impossible that the costs will rise over time. With lowered income and increased costs, many individuals who experience spinal cord injuries are unable to afford to cover their new expenses. This means legal action is often a necessity. Financial compensation is meant to make up for such costs as hospitalization, medical care, at-home caregivers, rehabilitation, psychiatric care, lost wages, expenses not covered by insurance, travel expenses for medical care, family support services, and funeral expenses. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you will need legal help to get the funds to help you move forward with your life after the injury. We understand what you are going through in this time, and we will do all we can to make the process easier for you. If you or a loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. In addition, in the case of a severe and expensive injury like this, you are likely to need it. One of the first ways an injury lawyer can help you is by finding the negligent party. In a car crash where the other driver was not paying attention, it is obvious who the negligent party is. But in other cases, you may need to speak to a spinal cord injury lawyer before you can find the party responsible for your accident. Many personal injury cases settle out of court. Of course, it’s always up to you whether you will accept a settlement offer or not, but an experienced attorney can offer you valuable guidance and let you know whether you’re getting a good offer from the insurance company (or whoever the negligent party might be). Many individuals who suffer a spinal cord injury are unable to work the way they did before the accident. That means it is crucial to get as much as your claim is worth. The right attorney can help you do that. More than 10 of our lawyers are also physicians. As doctors, we understand the medicine in your case. As lawyers, we know how to use our medical knowledge to get justice for our clients. Let us help you determine if a spinal injury you or a loved one suffered in an accident may qualify for compensation under a personal injury claim. We know all too well the upheaval serious injuries cause to daily life, and to prospects for the future. If you have suffered injury or lost a loved one, we can help.