Archive for the ‘ Defective Medical Device ’ Category

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23
Jan

California Database Tracks Deadbeat Doctors

January 23, 2012

The state of California has created a database of information that has offered residents a way to monitor which doctors in the state have been reprimanded for crimes or malpractice. The database was created in order to make information about doctors who do not properly care for patients public knowledge so that others are not hurt by their mistakes.

The database can be accessed by anyone via the Medical Board of California website and can show users information regarding a doctors educational history, license information, and public records of any complaints or charges filed against the individual doctor.

Doctors are searchable by name and license number and type. If you are having trouble finding your doctor in the system, it could be good or a bad. Doctors who have not ever been disciplined are not listed in the system; however, the database in only current through 2010, so if action has been taken against the doctor in recent years, it will not be listed either.

A quick search of the city of Alameda, California, turned up the names of nine doctors who had been disciplined as far back as eighteen years ago, and as recently as two. Several were for notices to surrender a license, while another showed information regarding a $2,000,000 medical malpractice lawsuit.

The California medical malpractice attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers would encourage all California residents to check their doctor’s names against the system to ensure the person you get your medical advice from has not made a costly, and sometimes fatal, mistake in the past.

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3
Oct

Governor Jerry Brown Enacts New Laws In California

October 3, 2011

Governor Jerry Brown enacted several pieces of legislature on Sunday that will directly impact the health care and insurance Californians receive. One of these new laws, which removed the ban on male circumcisions, has caused quite a stir.

According to The Oakland Tribune, the new law prohibits cities and counties from banning male circumcisions. Those supporting the legislature say the law will protect religious freedoms, as the procedure is a religious tradition most Jewish and Muslim males have performed. Also, experts say the procedure reduces the risk for infections, such as HIV and cancer.

Those against the bill likened the procedure to that of female circumcision, which has long been outlawed in the United States because of the negative impact on a woman’s mental and physical health, neither which are problems linked to male circumcision.

The California Accident Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers want to hear your opinions on the recently passed bill. Will the new law protecting circumcision rights also protect basic first amendment rights to freedom of religion, or is the procedure barbaric, out of date, and/or unethical? Post what you think on our Facebook wall.

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31
May

San Francisco Files Suit Against Insurance Companies

May 30, 2011

Patients requiring emergency services at the hospital are not the only ones having to fight tooth-and-nail with insurance companies to get what they need and deserve. CBS-San Francisco reported last Wednesday that the city of San Francisco has filed lawsuit against three prominent insurance companies. City Attorney, Dennis Herrera claims the three companies- Blue Cross of California, Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Company, and Health Net- underpaid San Francisco General Hospital on emergency care reimbursements.

Herrera insists that the insurer’s shortchange will cost San Francisco taxpayer’s millions of dollars considering the fact that the emergency department at the hospital receives more than 50,000 visits per year. He was quoted as saying, “These defendants are putting on the backs of taxpayer’s the obligation to make up the shortfalls,” The city is seeking an injunction from the court that will force the companies to pay more for each claim, while also seeking civil penalties of $2500 for each infraction of underpaid claims.

Anthem Blue Cross responded by saying the claims have no merit and that they will “vigorously” defend their billing process and procedure.

Read More.

If you feel your insurer may have shortchanged you, contact a California personal injury lawyer with Berg Injury Lawyers.  One client, Joyce Ross, was quoted as saying “After the accident I learned very quickly that I could not trust the insurance company. My case went to trial. I received twenty times more than the insurance company offered because of Berg Injury Lawyers.”

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7
Mar

Supreme Court ruling could have serious consequences for injured victims

The Supreme Court recently handed down a ruling regarding defective medical devices that may have serious ramification for the victims of California defective medical product injuries. A California defective medical device injury can be life-altering and extremely painful; injuries suffered from devices that were negligently manufactured—such as an artificial hip implant laden with bacteria or a painkiller patch that leaks and exposes users to harmful levels of dangerous drugs—can even result in death.

The Supreme Court ruled that a medical device manufacturer, despite if one of their devices is later proven to be defective, is not liable for damages to a harmed individual if the device was originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This ruling comes as a huge surprise to most Americans, who expect our courts to be able to help us if we fall victim to a California defective medical device injury.

Click here to read more http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/BUSINESS/802270409

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28
Jan

Heparin-filled syringes recalled due to serious health risk

A North Carolina company has issued a nationwide recall of heparin and saline pre-filled syringes because people in several states have become seriously ill due to a bacterial infection found in the syringes. The syringes are used for a variety of home medical uses, such as cleaning out catheter tubes.

The bacterial contaminant is known as Serratia marcescens, which according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “could present a serious adverse health consequence that could lead to life-threatening injuries and/or death.”

The bacteria can potentially cause serious California personal injury and death.

Click here to read more http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/am2pat01_08.html