Archives: Glossaries

Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops around your internal organs, like your lungs or abdominal organs. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that needs to get diagnosed quickly for the best possible outcome. If your medical history contains the risk factors and symptoms of mesothelioma, but your doctor fails to diagnose and treat the
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You might know abdominoplasty by its more common name, a tummy tuck. The purpose of a tummy tuck is to make the abdomen look firmer and smoother by removing unwanted fat and skin and restoring weakened or separated muscles. As with any surgical procedure, things can go wrong with a tummy tuck. Some people are
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Evidence is an essential aspect of medical malpractice law. In most situations, medical malpractice lawyers look to gather as much evidence as possible, which allows us to build a strong case for damage. We may gather expert opinions, medical reports, tests, and other evidence to help support your claim for damages. Here is what you
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When someone consumes too much alcohol or drinks too much too fast, they may experience symptoms of a potentially deadly condition known as alcohol poisoning or alcohol overdose, which is a medical emergency. They need prompt medical care to prevent life-threatening complications and lasting impairments. If the doctors and other care providers at the hospital
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A pro se litigant in a medical malpractice case is someone who acts as his or her own attorney. Pro se is Latin term meaning “for oneself” or “on one’s own behalf.” You do not have to be a licensed attorney to represent yourself in a medical malpractice lawsuit. A law license is required only
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of medical imaging that generates pictures of the inside of the body using magnetic fields and radio waves. Doctors use MRIs to diagnose a host of injuries and illnesses, from spinal cord injuries to multiple sclerosis to cancer. An MRI can lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit if
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Loss of consortium refers to the inability of a medical malpractice victim to have a healthy marital relationship following their injury. Many people use “loss of consortium” interchangeably with “loss of sexual pleasure” or “loss of sexual function,” but the term is more comprehensive to refer to any loss of a spouse’s ability to fulfill
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Informed consent refers to a doctor’s legal responsibility to inform patients of the risks of a medical procedure. Almost all medical procedures carry at least minor risks. Many of these procedures are valid and necessary, despite the small chance of harm or complications. But a doctor still must go over the risks with the patient,
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Cephalohematoma is a birth injury in which blood pools between a baby’s skull and brain. While it rarely causes brain injury, it can lead to other complications, such as anemia and jaundice. The most common cause of cephalohematoma is trauma to the head during delivery. This trauma may occur because of the negligence of an
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A cataract is a medical condition in which the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. It can blur your vision, making it seem as though you are viewing the world through a fogged-up window. It is not a deadly or particularly dangerous condition in and of itself, but its detrimental effects on your vision can
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“Breech baby” refers to a situation in which a baby is positioned with his or her feet down rather than head down during delivery. It happens in about 3-5% of pregnancies and can lead to many complications, including the cutting off of the baby’s oxygen supply via the umbilical cord. A doctor has a duty
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Asbestosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a mineral that was once common in the construction of houses, apartments, and office buildings. It was a feature of insulation and of floor and ceiling tiles. Before its dangers were well-known, workers, particularly in the building and construction trades, frequently came into
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If a medical professional or facility caused an overdose, this could be an act of medical negligence. A hospital, doctor, or any other healthcare professional who causes injury to a patient through negligence or omission is considered medical malpractice. This negligence might be an error in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare, or health management. Taking more than
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A vegetative state occurs when a person is awake but does not show any signs of awareness. In contrast, a coma is when a person is both unconscious and unaware. A person in a vegetative state gives no coherent response to anything going on around them or any changes in their environment. They may or
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To hold a healthcare provider legally liable in a medical malpractice case, their negligence must be the proximate cause of your injuries. A proximate cause is an incident that results in another event. There must be a clear, cause-and-effect link between the liable party’s negligence and the harm you suffered. At Medical Malpractice Help, we
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In medical malpractice lawsuits, two main forms of damages are potentially available: compensatory damages and punitive damages. Most damages awarded to malpractice victims are compensatory damages, which pay victims for their economic and non-economic losses. Punitive damages offer additional compensation, and they are awarded to punish the defendant. Because the bar for receiving these damages is high,
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A birth injury is a type of injury or damage that occurs to a baby during the birthing process—usually before, during, or immediately after delivery. Common birth injuries include nerve damage, broken bones, and facial or bodily deformities. They can result from a host of causes, including those that involve a doctor’s negligence. A birth
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Mononucleosis: Mononucleosis is colloquially known as Mono. This viral infection can cause symptoms throughout the body including drowsiness, aching muscles, an irritated throat and overall feelings of fatigue. More Info on Mononucleosis: Can You Sue For A Mononucleosis Misdiagnosis?
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Anasarca: A condition where the skin becomes swollen due to excess fluid in the skin’s tissues. There are several causes of anasarca, but it is most commonly a result of kidney disease, liver failure, congestive heart failure, malnutrition, or hookworm infestation. More info on Dermatology Errors Dermatology Malpractice Lawyer
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Stevens – Johnson Syndrome: A rare disorder of the skin. It is extremely difficult to find the cause of Stevens – Johnson Syndrome. Many cases go undiagnosed or unresolved. It is occasionally discovered that a patient has developed an allergy to a new medication, and this is the body’s way of alerting the patient to the
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MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus): Also known as “mercer.” This is an infection caused by the staph bacteria that normally safely reside on the surface of human skin. A minor opening in the skin can allow the staph bacteria to enter the body, causing an infection. It is commonly contracted in hospitals, even through basic procedures such
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Carbuncles: Boils that form within an infected hair follicle. The infection must be treated quickly. Otherwise, pus pockets of dead skin cells, blood cells, and liquids can form beneath the skin. This allows the infection to spread and will gradually make the patient more ill. More info on Carbuncles: Is A Carbuncle Misdiagnosis Considered Medical
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Osteomyelitis: An infection of the bone or bone marrow and is usually caused by bacteria. Patients typically suffer from deep pain and muscle spasms in the area of inflammation, and proper diagnosis is crucial for a patient to recover. More info on Osteomyelitis: Can Patients File Malpractice Lawsuits For An Osteomyelitis Misdiagnosis?
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Placental Abruption – This a medical emergency in which the placenta prematurely pulls away from the wall of the uterus. More info on Placental Abruption: Birth Injury Malpractice Lawyer
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NICA: The Florida Birth Related Neurological Injury Compensation Act (NICA) allows families to receive compensation for injuries that occurred to the child during labor, birth, or the immediate period after birth referred to as the resuscitation period. More Information on NICA: What Is NICA, The Florida Birth Injury Program?
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