Defense Verdict in Breast Cancer Suit
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 & 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.
Sex Harassment Case Nets EEOC $5.4 Million Dollar Settlement
Eight registered nurses who underwent pre-employment medical examinations were instead sexually harassed, according to a proposed Consent Decree submitted to Judge Leonard Sand by the EEOC and Lutheran Medical Center. Under the terms of the proposed settlement reached by the parties, the medical center has agreed to pay $5.425 million dollars to compensate the nurses and other female nurses similarly harassed.
E & O in the New Corporate Environment
Errors and Omissions (E&O) coverage protects policyholders in various professional occupations — such as the legal, medical, architectural, engineering, insurance, and accounting fields — against professional liability claims. This form of insurance, sometimes referred to as professional liability or malpractice insurance, covers economic damages resulting from an error, omission, or negligent act related to the rendering of professional services.
My Opinion
Sound off about issues that affect you and/or your practice!
Birth Injury Claims Most Successful
Jury Verdict Research' has just released its report, Current Trends in Personal Injury — 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.
Verdicts
Recent rulings of importance to you and your practice.
Evaluating LASIK Malpractice Cases
The vision-improving eye surgery known as LASIK (Laser Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis) is marketed as a painless 15-minute outpatient procedure that produces stunning visual improvement in the vast majority of patients. LASIK surgery is estimated to garner revenues in the billions in the United States alone, with 1 million or more people undergoing the surgery each year. To help you to evaluate potential LASIK malpractice cases, this article discusses the eye's basic anatomy and function, the practice of LASIK, including patient selection factors and common complications, and provides resources for further information.
MedBytes
Analysis of Web sites of importance to you and your practice.
Investigating Fraudulent Claims, Part 2 (This article is part of an ongoing series)
The first article in this series (<i>Insurance Coverage Law Bulletin</i> Volume 2, Number 1, February 2003) provided an overview of upcoming articles, and addressed the issue of fraud at the inception of an insurance claim. This second installment focuses on insurance carriers' analysis of fraudulent claims and the use of forensic experts to defend against claims. It also addresses the issue of fraudulent enhancement of otherwise valid claims.
