As most people were focused on candidate voting during the midterm elections, Californians voted on a measure, Proposition 8, that would move to regulate a highly centralized industry – the dialysis industry.
There have been complaints about the few companies that offer dialysis, a lifesaving procedure, for years in California. Many say they are overworked and understaffed, despite bringing in record profits. People say that the facilities are unsanitary and one woman even saw a man die during dialysis. She said it took a few minutes for anyone to even notice.
This measure comes on the heels of a lawsuit settlement that ordered DaVita Inc., the largest dialysis provider in California, to pay $253 million in settlements in wrongful death cases. One man’s family was awarded $127 million after he died of cardiac arrest after a dialysis treatment. His family claimed that he had underlying medical conditions that made him vulnerable to the adverse effects of a medication they used.
At Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation, we know how damaging medical mistakes can be. We also know that they are more common than people think. If you need a California medical malpractice lawyer, you can count on us to investigate your case and work to secure the compensation you deserve.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical mistakes are now the third leading cause of death in the United States, behind only heart disease and all cancers. Most of us trust the healthcare professionals we go to, but sometimes their negligence causes us harm.
Think about the medical professionals you see on an annual basis:
- Your primary care doctor
- “Minute clinic” nurses
- Pharmacists and pharm technicians
- EMTs and paramedics
- Surgeons
- Your optometrist
- Your dentist
Are you certain that they will be error-free every time you visit?
What Happens?
One of the main problems in the healthcare field is patients being misdiagnosed. In fact, Johns Hopkins researchers say that diagnostic errors are the main cause of patient harm and can lead to delayed treatment of emergencies and chronic diseases.
Another major cause of concern is medication errors. All too often, patients are given the wrong medication, the wrong dosage, or not given their medication at all. This can lead to an exacerbation of their injuries and illnesses and is almost always caused by a healthcare professional’s mistake.
We have all heard of the “never events” that happen in surgery: operating on the wrong body part, the wrong patient, etc. But there are other, more common, surgical mistakes that cause extreme patient harm.
These are just a few examples of medical malpractice. Please seek a qualified attorney to discuss your particular case.
What You Can Do
If you think that the negligence of a medical professional has caused you or a loved one harm, do not wait to seek legal assistance. The longer you, the harder it is to have a successful outcome in your case. We know that medical mistakes can severely impact your life and the lives of your family members. When you need a California medical malpractice attorney, Licata & Yeremenko, A Professional Law Corporation is ready to work with you to secure the compensation you deserve. You can reach out to us on our website by clicking here or calling us at 818-783-5757.