Health Care and Social Law Articles

Many people feel afraid when they look for medical help. Whether it is their fear of a traumatic diagnosis or simply experiencing nerves over a routine check up, Chicago residents and people in other parts of the country may not rank potential doctor errors high on their lists of medically-related fears. That may change, however, in light of recent surveys completed by professional medical groups.

In the last few years, costly health care has been a hot topic, as families and employers struggle with skyrocketing health insurance premiums and state and federal governments wrestle with ever-increasing Medicaid and Medicare costs.

How to get Social Security Benefits and the Application Process to do so

Are medical tests, procedures and treatments safe and necessary? Unfortunately, many medical tests and procedures are performed unnecessarily, which can put patients at risks for further medical complications.

Despite advances in neonatal medicine, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy remains a common condition in the U.S., potentially causing cerebral palsy, brain damage or death to the infant.

According to WebMD Health News, sleeping pills are dangerous. A doctor reporting to the news agency has likened them to smoking cigarettes. Even taking a sleeping pill once in awhile leads to increased health risks.

Though an outwardly noticeable condition, Parkinson's Disease stems from brain's inability to send messages controlling muscle movements.

Social Security Disability benefits and SSI Disability Claims are two different ways for individuals to receive financial compensation and assistance due to their disability and inability to contribute to the workforce, and are managed by the federal government.

Johnson & Johnson announced in January 2013 that it had set aside close to $1 billion, in addition to the $3 billion set aside in 2011, to compensate those who received a defective metal-on-metal hip implant from the company.

The growing number of for-profit nursing homes appears to be adding to the problems of waste, fraud and abuse that plague many nursing homes.

Before you decide to have an epidural, it is important to understand the risks involved, including what injuries epidurals can cause to both you and the baby.

The medical devices were meant to fix pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, but many women found they were the victims of untested devices that caused greater pain and serious complications.

At-home births with a midwife can save on costs, but may create additional risks. Learn more about the risks of at-home delivery and how a skilled lawyer can help in the case of a birth injury.

Eligibility for VA benefits is dependent on factors such as active duty. The determination of this is sometimes complicated, depending on the circumstances.

Just as any other type of medical practitioner, when a chiropractor consults with a patient he or she is expected to make an initial determination of what might be wrong with the patient's health, then create a plan to begin the healing process. When a patient is misdiagnosed or improperly treated for their pain, they will not likely find the relief that they are looking for, and may even experience worsened conditions.

Common post-operative injuries that individuals should know about before undergoing surgical procedures.

According to a study released by Johns Hopkins, surgical errors that are considered “never events” happen at least 4,000 times a year in the United States.

Pitocin is not just a dangerous drug; there are benefits to its use. If administered and monitored correctly, it can help save the life of a mother and/or her unborn child.

30 Percent of all Birth Injuries Are Preventable.

Pregnancy and childbirth complications are on the rise in the US.

When a doctor hurts a patient, the patient often looks to be awarded medical malpractice compensation. There are many damages available in medical malpractice lawsuit cases. In some cases, these payouts can amount to millions of dollars.

A number of Ohio medical societies are fighting back against increased licensing standards, a worrisome development in a state with so many medical malpractice cases.

Although a medical professional’s negligence can have severe consequences, everyone injured at the hands of a doctor or nurse does not file medical malpractice claims.

Doctors routinely diagnose different conditions in patients. Unfortunately, these diagnoses are not always timely and accurate. In these cases patients may file medical practice claims against medical professionals who delay a diagnosis or misdiagnose a patient.

Although medical literature frequently reports computerization of medical records, barcoding for medications, evidence-based medicine, and other approaches can reduce medical errors, practitioners and institutions have not embraced them very speedily.

It is important for expectant parents to educate themselves about birth injuries in general and about things they can do to help keep their unborn babies safe until they enter the world.

Before, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issues benefits statements to its beneficiaries via mail. Now, only individuals aged 60 years or older receive mailed benefits statements because the rest of the recipients aged 18 and above now have the ability to look up on their own statements using the Internet.

This article addresses the reference pricing system used for the pricing of the pharmaceuticals for human use in Turkey and the current problems arising from such system.

Depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are three similar mental illnesses with defining symptoms and characteristics. People afflicted by these mental health issues are often times unable to work, making it difficult to pay bills and other expenses. In this article, we detail the challenges people face while trying to obtain long term disability benefits.

Have you just hired a Los Angeles Social Security claim lawyer who will help you in processing your Social Security claims? For some time now, there has been news that Social Security is about to go bust. Is it true? Are you worried about it?

Times are getting tougher by the day. As it is, people with disabilities are finding it hard to survive on a daily basis. Because of their disabilities, they are forced to give up their jobs.

Medical physicians are not the only profession that have to worry about medical malpractice suits. Dentists, chiropractors, and psychiatrists are also vulnerable to malpractice suits if neglect can be proven. Recently, an orthodontist was sued for having a patient wear his braces for 11 years. The patient is now claiming neglect due to permanent damage done to the inside of his mouth and jaw.

Why the Accommodations Issue is Unlikely to Pose a Problem If You Are Filing for Federal Disability Retirement Benefits

The Wright State Research Institute has developed a new software system to implement electronic healthcare records in order to speed up the process of evaluating social security disability claims.

Veterans’ disability lawyers in Raleigh will explain how your marital status and dependents can impact veterans’ disability benefits. If you have a disability rating of 30 percent or higher, it could lead to additional compensation.

The Federal government created both Medicaid and Medicare to assist some Americans with the high cost of health care

Medicare, health insurance for elderly and disabled Americans, is a large system that can seem confusing. Here are some basics to help you understand all types of Medicare.

The Obama administration has been asking individuals who have suffered improper medical care to report such instances of neglect. It is hoped that the information that will be reported will aid in an overall better health care environment for the nation.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program of the Social Security Administration (SSA) is a needs-based program that seeks to provide financial aid to qualified individuals. These individuals are the disabled, the elderly (age 65 or older), and the legally blind.

In this article, the author discusses the merger of medical practices, from a legal perspective.

An undiagnosed heart attack or stroke accounted for almost three of every four missed diagnoses that, had health care professionals correctly diagnosed the medical problem, could have saved the patient’s life.

In a move that is of interest to people who are retired or planning for retirement the Social Security Administration is implementing a cost-cutting measure that is expected to save United States taxpayers approximately $1 billion over the next 10 years. Beginning in March of 2013 the practice of mailing out monthly checks in hard copy form is being discontinued.

Sometimes you can engage a paradigm shift that can provide economic efficiency in a rather simple but effective manner. This is something that the Social Security Administration has been doing and the timing is ideal. Retirement planning experts tell us that tens of thousands of people are joining the ranks of Social Security recipients monthly, and this growth will continue for years to come as the baby boomer generation reaches the age of Social Security eligibility.

A major development in Hungarian immigration policy affecting ’investor residency’ is anticipated imminently. On 27th October, 2012 the ruling party of Hungary submitted a Bill to Parliament, which would offer permanent Hungarian residency under preferential conditions for non-EU national investors willing to buy at least €250,000 of government bonds. The Bill is currently under consideration and is expected to become law very soon.

Due to the aging of the baby boomers, there are approximately 10,000 people applying for Social Security benefits every day. This volume of applicants will continue for the next 20 years according to elder law experts. Of course, there are already millions of people collecting Social Security benefits. Can you imagine how much it costs to mail out paper checks to even a small percentage of these individuals?

What exactly is Lyme disease? What causes it and how can it be treated? Continue reading to learn more about this common and serious condition. In the U.S., Lyme disease is the sixth most common notifiable disease. Although cases of Lyme disease can occur throughout the country, 96% of the cases occur in thirteen states in the upper Midwest and the northeast.

The senior population in this country continues to grow, presenting even more viable targets for Medicare, Medicaid and other healthcare related frauds. As it stands now, this type of fraud costs the government billions of dollars each year. Help yourself avoid becoming a victim by learning what types of scams are out there, as well as what steps to take to avoid being victimized.

The Social Security Administration expects to save somewhere in the vicinity of $1 billion by discontinuing the practice of sending out paper checks through the mail every month. This is a cost-cutting measure that makes a lot of sense to many people within the South Carolina elder law community. At the present time nine out of every 10 people who are entitled to Social Security payments are receiving them electronically so taking this final step will provide total efficiency.

Talking with Veterans Social Security disability attorneys in Raleigh can help you learn if you qualify for disability benefits through Social Security. You may also be able to receive veterans’ disability benefits. Veterans Social Security disability attorneys in Raleigh can help military service members determine the types of benefits they may qualify to receive. In addition to obtaining veterans’ benefits, some may also receive disability benefits made available through Social Security.

Understanding Veterans benefits can be difficult. Not only do forms need completed, you must choose a plan. There are also many legal considerations. Find out what information you need for application, what benefit suits your individual needs, and how pension is calculated.

The role of the Social Security Administration (SSA) on your claim is to make sure that your disabling condition is severe enough for you to be granted disability benefits. Also, the federal agency’s evaluation of your claim looks at how your condition affects your activities of daily living, also called ADLs.

The New England Compounding Center, has recalled more than 17,000 doses of contaminated steroid injections and experts worry that as many as 14,000 patients could be at risk of contracting meningitis. As of this week, the deadly fungal meningitis outbreak has spread to 15 states, including Ohio. It has already infected 230 victims and killed at least 15 people.

A new regulation has been published on Official Gazette dated 14 October 2012 that contains a number of changes have been made on Regulation on Promotion of Medicinal Products For Human Use to ensure that the companies promoting a medicinal product is monitored by the Ministry of Health in wide range of their promotion activities. The main changes to the regulation include:

Waiting for your disability hearing may take months or years. If you have been denied your disability claim and you ended up on this stage of the appeals process, you must know that preparing for it will help you a lot once the disability hearing day comes. It would greatly benefit you if you understand what to expect of this important event, as well as the procedures and practices that come with it.

You must not avoid writing your will. In fact, it is your voice after you death. Your family and loved ones will be certain of your wishes. A carefully written will can avoid your assets going to unintended individuals, eliminate contests over the distribution of your possessions, can be used to create a trust, economical relative to intestate administration, and a will can be easily amended to fit changing circumstances.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimate that as many as 13,000 people may have been injected with the defective drug, leaving open the possibility that the number of people infected with fungal meningitis will increase well beyond the currently known cases.

For many elderly Americans, the golden years are fraught with concerns over money instead of spent sitting on the front porch sipping iced tea. Social Security does not provide the average retiree enough income to live on comfortably. Employer sponsored pensions and retirement accounts are virtually unheard of anymore.

This month, both former directors of the mental health care company American Therapeutic Corporation (ATC), Dr. Mark Willner and Dr. Alberto Ayala, were sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison for participating in a $205 million Medicare fraud scheme.

Common Types of Hospital Negligence: One common type of hospital negligence is when a patient becomes the victim of a surgical mistake. Mistakes can be the result of miscommunication, fatigue, inattention, or even rushing through a surgical procedure.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a class I recall of two drugs manufactured by Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) for use during hemodialysis procedures. The German-based healthcare company is responsible for treating more than a third of the 400,000 dialysis patients in America. The two drugs, GranuFlo and NaturaLyte, are acid concentrate formulas that provide dialysis clinics an alternative to the handling and storage of large acid drums.

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that affects the lower part of the uterus. Catching this cancer in the early stages is crucial, but could medical malpractice be blamed for this issue?

By July 2012, Bayer Pharmaceuticals had spent over $400 million to settle claims that its ‘wonder drug’ Yasmin-line of birth control is actually a very dangerous drug. In 2011, Yasmin was the 4th most-prescribed oral contraceptive in the United States and brought in $1.1 billion in sales for Bayer.

This Q&A guide gives a high level overview of key issues including pricing and state funding, manufacturing, marketing, clinical trials, advertising, labelling, patents, trade marks, and product liability. This article was first published in the PLC Multi-jurisdictional guide to Life Sciences 2011 and is reproduced with the permission of the publisher, Practical Law Company.

A short window exists for a special needs child who is near age 18 to qualify for SSI by meeting the definition of disability. There is a distinction between SSI and DAC benefits. It is important to consult with an attorney who has expertise in both public benefits and special needs planning as both benefit rates and qualifications can and do change.

Some people are prone to adopting the "it will never happen to me" point of view, but these are the same individuals who often find themselves in difficult situations due to a lack of preparation. This is something to keep in mind when it comes to incapacity planning. Believe it or not,the likelihood of contracting dementia later in your life is very significant.

Could you have the right to file a medical malpractice lawsuit following a case of deep vein thrombosis? Read the following article to get information about this blood clot and the responsibility of medical professionals in diagnosis and treatment. What exactly is a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)? When a blood clot occurs inside of a blood vessel, it is known as a thrombosis.

Introduction As with your physical health, you can avoid problems by periodically checking your legal health. Areas to consider include contracts, consumer rights, estate planning, insurance coverage, retirement planning and wills. You should review your legal papers about once a year to see if the relevant plans and documents reflect your current needs.

Persisting is clearly not the only answer when it comes to men, or smokers for that matter. In the case of Mrs. Elmer Perry, who begged and begged her husband, Mr Baker, to quit smoking, it seemed her efforts were truly for a lost cause. In 1993, months after being diagnosed with lung cancer, Mr. Baker died at age 65.

In a report released February 2012, the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council stated inpatient infection rates at hospitals are down. This will surely affect the number of medical malpractice claims relating to infections by medical care providers which can cause people to die.

Medical malpractice is a growing problem in the U.S. With an estimated 200,000 people dying every year as the result of a medical error, a strong stand must be taken against these cases of negligence. Do you believe that you were injured as the direct result of an error made by a doctor or other medical professional? Do you know that the health complications you are suffering need not have happened had you been treated correctly while in the hospital?

Defendants in cases involving severe injuries including brain injury, spinal cord, or burn injury, often request that the injured plaintiff is not present in the courtroom during the trial. The defense’s argument is that the plaintiff cannot contribute to the proceedings in any meaningful way due to the extent of the injuries.

When a Patient Dies in an Intensive Care Unit, There Is a 28 Percent Chance That a Diagnosis Was Missed - When John Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers examined diagnosis errors in hospital intensive care units (ICUs), they expected to find some room for improvement in patient care. However, the lead author of the study, Dr. Bradford Winters, described the results as “surprising and alarming.”

Often, people have not filed a formal nursing home complaint simply because they are unsure how or unaware that they can. A nursing home complaint can be filed when the negligence, misconduct, or abuse of a nursing home facility or caregiver causes you or your loved one to suffer. Filing a complaint should lead to an investigation into the facility.

There are some common emergency room errors that are often caused by negligence that could lead to serious or fatal injuries. Demanding and fast-paced, an emergency room’s environment can unfortunately lead to errors. You may deserve compensation through a medical malpractice claim if you or someone you love has suffered serious or fatal injuries because of a preventable mistake.

Hospital negligence can lead to blood transfusion errors that result in injuries and even fatalities. Blood transfusion errors include: • Mislabeled blood; • The wrong patient receiving a blood transfusion; • The patient receiving the wrong blood type; • Hospital staff failing to respond to the signs and symptoms of a blood transfusion error;...

Without doubt Malta offers significant opportunities for the generics drugs Industry and the evidence for this lies in the pharmaceutical patenting history of the country and in its legislative framework. The following events have played a major role in the history of patenting in Malta, and have actually shaped the present scenario regarding generic drugs in the country.

Although we discuss the Family & Medical Leave Act on our website, we thought we would provide a second source of quick facts on the FMLA and provide links to some quick and easy-to-understand resources for anyone looking for more FMLA information.

For some time, the FDA has been aware of side effects related to vaginal mesh implants. The first case involving these side effects went to trial in California and earned a multi-million dollar settlement. According to the FDA, complications with vaginal mesh implants are not uncommon. A vaginal mesh (also known as an urogynecologic surgical mesh implant) is a medical product used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Nearly two out of three Social Security Disability Insurance applications are denied the first time they are sent to the Social Security Administration for approval. Fortunately an applicant can request a review, reconsideration and appeal if his or her claim has been denied.

A motor vehicle accident, medical malpractice, poorly maintained premises or even a workplace accident that is due to a wrongful act, a negligent act, a violent act or neglect may give rise to a wrongful death lawsuit in Pennsylvania. A wrongful act, a negligent act, a violent act or neglect that results in death may give rise to a wrongful death lawsuit in Pennsylvania.

Cerebral palsy is caused by an injury to the brain before or during birth or in the first few years of life, and has no known cure. Recent studies that utilize a child’s own stem cells to repair damaged neural tissue, may provide new or renewed hope for vast improvement, and even a cure, for children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

Putting a dollar figure on a catastrophic event, particularly a birth injury that quickly turned what should have been a joyful day into a lifelong struggle with cerebral palsy is not easy and will never come close to putting a family back in the same position it would have been but for the negligence of another.

The False Claims Act was originally focused on the defense industry during the Civil War. It was later expanded during the defense industry scandals of the 1980s. Now, the law is being applied liberally in the health care industry with very severe potential consequences for health care providers.

Compensation to medical directors has become a 'hot-button" compliance issue. If not properly structured and monitored, a medical director arrangement can become a major compliance problem. Health care attorney John Fisher discussed some of the recent cases addressing medical director compensation and what they mean to health care providers.

Compensation to medical directors has become a 'hot-button" compliance issue. If not properly structured and monitored, a medical director arrangement can become a major compliance problem. Health care attorney John Fisher discussed some of the recent cases addressing medical director compensation and what they mean to health care providers.

The Rochester Network Advisory Opinion is one of the few sources that we have to get a glimpse of what is required for a health care organization to "clinically integrate." Clinical integration is one method to reduce risk under the antitrust laws. Some of the details of the advisory opinion are discussed and analyzed by provider integration attorney John Fisher.

A lot of questions have been raised following the recent developments concerning Fresenius Medical Care and their dialysis treatment products GranuFlo® and NaturaLyte® after a memo was leaked to the FDA in which Fresenius warned doctors about the potentially dangerous side effects of its products. To help clarify, Pete Maughan, a Chief Medical Liaison at LegalHelp.org, has laid out the facts of the case and brings us up-to-date on the latest developments.

If you have a valid medical malpractice claim, act now before the time limit. Call an Elyria medical malpractice attorney about statutes of limitations. Medical malpractice occurs from negligence caused by medical professionals and/or staff. It can refer to botched surgeries, unnecessary medical procedures, improper administration of medication, disability, impairment or even death.

Common prescriptions can be dangerous drugs for your unborn child during pregnancy. Almost all pregnant women know to stay away from illegal drugs while pregnant because of the risk for birth defects in their unborn children, but what about prescription drugs? If they are relatively safe for you to use when you’re not pregnant, shouldn’t they be safe when you are pregnant? Unfortunately, the answer is no.

The idea of being uprooted and moving into an assisted living community is not an especially pleasant one for many senior citizens. People become attached to their homes and this can be particularly true of elders who may have stored so many memories within these friendly confines.

Planning for a medical emergency is one of the most important things you can do for you and your family. After all, life is unpredictable and even healthy people can suddenly become ill. Add to that the possibility of an accident or unexpected disability and you see how you could suddenly find yourself incapacitated, unable to make decisions about your life and your property.

Did you know an ex-spouse can receive Social Security benefits on your record? A lot of people are not aware of this rule. However, there are some conditions that must be met before an ex-spouse can do this. In order for your ex to collect benefits based on your record, the following conditions have to be met.

Arthritis can strike at any time, though it most typically affects people over the age of 60. There are many forms of arthritis, and while there aren't cures for this condition, there are effective treatments that are best begun at the early stages of the disease. If you notice any of these common arthritis warning signs or symptoms, you should make an appointment to meet with your doctor so you can be evaluated for possible arthritis.

Nearly 30 states currently limit the amount of damages that can be received in a medical malpractice lawsuit, according to the American Medical Association. States with damage caps vary wildly in their limitations and the types of damages that are limited. For instance, California limits non-compensatory damages at $250,000, while Nebraska limits total damages at $1.75 million.

One fact is that women are five times more likely to get osteoporosis than men. Physicians know there is no way to stop osteoporosis or to cure osteoporosis. Physicians do know that their patients can slow down this process by taking enough calcium, vitamin D, exercising, not smoking and limiting alcohol intake to no more than one glass per day.

San Francisco defective products attorneys know that by law, manufacturers and designers of products are responsible for ensuring those products are safe when used properly by consumers. However, each year thousands of people are injured due to defective or malfunctioning products, or those that are inadequately labeled.

If properly documented by a physician, obesity can be the basis or contributing factor in a disability finding. For obesity to factor in, it must be determined that it represents a “severe impairment” either by itself or with other medical impairments. Obesity will be deemed a severe impairment if it significantly limits an individual’s ability to do basic work activities.

There are things that can be done to protect your assets during the latter stages of your life from a legal perspective, and you should discuss your options with a good Oklahoma City elder law attorney. At the same time, each individual must take personal responsibility to protect your assets and yourself. Awareness is key, and one growing problem that seniors must protect themselves against is elder financial abuse.

For elderly Americans, depression often goes undiagnosed and untreated because many people do not recognize the symptoms. Elderly people are prone to develop depression for a variety of reasons. Anything from chronic back pain to the loss of independence caused by medical conditions can lead to depression or make depression more serious.

A recent report from a government watchdog group shows that a federal Medicaid audit program designed to curtail some of the $60 billion a year lost to Medicaid fraud has actually cost more money than it saved.