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Spoliation of Evidence: The Lost Records Effect Image

Spoliation of Evidence: The Lost Records Effect

Elliott B. Oppenheim

There are two types of spoliation of evidence in medical negligence litigation: physical and content. Physical spoliation of evidence occurs where the tortfeasor physically destroys evidence or in some way makes the evidence unavailable. For example, there's the "shredder effect," where the record is physically destroyed. Or the record can be left on the Risk Manager's desk until the day prior to trial. In either event, there is no physical record.

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Jury Awards $12.5 Million to Paralyzed Boy Image

Jury Awards $12.5 Million to Paralyzed Boy

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

In one of the largest medical malpractice verdicts in Connecticut state history, a jury ordered Hartford Hospital to pay $12.5 million to a boy who became paralyzed from the neck down while awaiting surgery for a spinal tumor 7 years ago.

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Verdicts Image

Verdicts

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

Recent cases of importance to your practice.

Features

After 100 Years, Hospital Liability Takes a Sharp Turn Image

After 100 Years, Hospital Liability Takes a Sharp Turn

Mary-Christine Sungaila & Lisa Perrochet

You are ordinarily not liable for the misdeeds of others, right? Sure, you can be vicariously liable for certain conduct of employees and agents, but not others you may associate with, such as independent contractors. Except sometimes. And now, if you're a hospital that allows independent contractor physicians to treat patients at your facility, "sometimes" is presumptively "all the time." That is the rule laid down in the recent decision, <i>Mejia v. Community Hospital of San Bernardino</i> (2002), 99 Cal.App.4th 1448.

Features

Defense Verdict in Breast Cancer Suit Image

Defense Verdict in Breast Cancer Suit

Jennifer Batchelor

A jury ruled for the defense in a lawsuit in which the plaintiff had undergone a double mastectomy after learning that invasive cancer originating in her left breast had spread to 24 nearby lymph nodes. After a 9-day trial before Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Sheldon Jelin in <i>D'Orazio v. Parlee &amp; Tatem Radiologic Associates Ltd.</i>, jurors deliberated for 2 1/2 days before delivering a verdict on April 27. The verdict relieved three radiologists and two hospitals of liability for plaintiff Shirley W. D'Orazio's alleged reduced chances of survival due to the advanced stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis.

Features

Peer Review: How Privileged? Image

Peer Review: How Privileged?

Elliott B. Oppenheim

How privileged, how impenetrable, is the peer review privilege? In <i>Fox v. Kramer</i>, 22 Cal. 4th 531, 994 P.2d 343 (Cal. 2000), the Supreme Court of California considered this narrow issue: Could plaintiffs Wendy Fox and her husband, Dr. Richard B. Fox, subpoena a doctor to give expert testimony or refer at trial to his draft preliminary report when his conclusions were based on hospital peer review committee records reviewed in the course of his official duties for a public agency?

Features

Verdicts Image

Verdicts

ALM Staff & Law Journal Newsletters

The latest rulings of importance to your practice.

My Opinion Image

My Opinion

Kevin Costello

Sound off about issues that affect you and/or your practice!

Features

Birth Injury Claims Most Successful Image

Birth Injury Claims Most Successful

Janice G. Inman

Jury Verdict Research' has just released its report, Current Trends in Personal Injury &mdash; 2002 Edition. The research company maintains a nationwide database of verdicts and settlements in personal injury claims. Its recently released report identifies and summarizes current award trends and breaks down the awards by type of case and injury.

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MedBytes Image

MedBytes

Elliott B. Oppenheim

Analysis of Web sites of importance to you and your practice.

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