Hmmm...What's On My Mind Today?

Zometa, Bisphosphonates cause client's ONJ (osteonecriosis of the jaw)

Complications from Laparoscopic Surgery in the news

Congressman Murtha's unexpected death after surgical complications from a routine gallbladder surgery has brought laparoscopic cholecystectomy to media's attention. Normally a very effective procedure but not without risk inherent to the type surgery - performed through small incisions with the aid of a video syestem. The field of operation is not directly visualized but instead displayed on a monitor for the surgeon to view.  Much like a video game....

Radiation Errors and Complications 

An excellent series appeared in today's New York Times detailing how inadvertant errors, computer failures can lead to over dosage.

Plowing Ahead - New Cases

Actually, I guess it's MISfortune that generates my type of law practice and that's never happy...

My Obsession

Late last year, I read an article on the Op-Ed page of the Wall Street Journal written by former White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove.

Settle or to the Court House?

The perils of advising a plaintiff with a really strong case.  Sometimes the court house number isn't as much as the pre-trial settlement offer by defense.  Especially given the added costs for court preparation for the plaintiff and the time delay.  Is it better to take a lesser number now or roll the dice and take chances with a jury which may award less or worse yet - a big zero?

Slavery's Ellis Island in the Lowcountry

Fort Moultrie on South Carolina's coast right outside of Charleston on historic Sullivan's Island was the first soil that hundreds of thousands of Africans touched after enduring the treacherous Middle Passage from West Africa.  Slaves were brought here for quarantine at the Fort's "Pest Houses".  Nobel laureate Toni Morrison dedicated the first installation of "Bench by the Side of the Road" at Fort Moultrie overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. 

Summer Reading

Here's my reading stack For today. And happily, it's a pretty typical load, but it's my addiction...

Truly Frivolous Suits

Have you heard about the 'Thong Wrong' suit? That's the one brought by a lawyer out in California on behalf of a very fat lady who, while putting her (Relax Fit I guess...) thong on, was struck in the eye by some decorative ornamentation that popped off as the garment was being stretched to the max over her enormous tush

Ascue's - An East Cooper Institution

For obvious reasons in my field of representing folks who have been injured in automobile accidents, I run into - no pun intended - a number of businesses related to cars.  This story ran in the Post and Courier and features one of my favorite long time families in Mount Pleasant, the Ascues.  Of course, I really must give them all the credit for the Tarheel blue paint job on my Mustang convertible.  That takes a special talent.   

Abuse: Vulnerable Adults

Abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults - our seniors and those mentally challenged who are unable to care for themselves, stems from poorly trained staff in an environment of low workplace morale and insufficent resources to offer appropropriate training or attract highly qualified workers...

End of Life Lesson  

O.K. Dear Reader, when I say, "Autopsy", what comes to your fertile and active mind? An autopsy almost always explains what transpired. It provides teaching, training and public education. And, often most importantly, it provides much-needed comfort and solace to those who need understanding at a time of loss.

February 24, 2008

Defense Lawyer's Dream: Contributory Negligence

..."A nightmare unfolds. A Chevy Suburban with a drunk behind the wheel hits your child in an intersection. The boy dies later that night."  Scott Sexton, contributor, Winston-Salem Journal

Laparoscopic Train Wreck!

When all this less-invasive surgery first came to the forefront, there were many significant problems and injuries caused by surgeon malpractice. It was a new procedure, there was a steep learning curve, a lot of the training 'out there' was shaky at best if not downright wrong, a lot of surgeons rushed in to do procedures they were not qualified to do and on and on.

Insurers Stop Paying For Care Linked to Errors

A move to improve patient safety.  Major insurers are wise up and begin to deny payments for care billed as a result of a hospital or physician's error or negligence. Wall Street Journal, January 15, 2008

Learning to ask tough questions of your surgeon

Be an educated patient: Be your own advocate.  Do you ever feel like your doctor is just talking right over your head or ignoring or dismissing what you say as unimportant or insignificant? "...experts say it is increasingly crucial for patients to vet their surgeons and take an active role in preventing mistakes." Wall Street Journal, Laura Landro

Preventing injuries during surgery due to technical mistakes

An interesting peer review in Medical News Week regarding the study "Patterns of Technical Error Among Surgical Malpractice Claims"

Good Doctors Spot Mistakes, Save Lives

"The reasons for medical errors are varied and complex.  But that doesn't make them acceptable." Richard C. Karl, M.D., Newsweek

Hospital Accountability for Medical Errors 

Finally someone steps up!  "New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, the nation's largest public health system, plans to begin publicly releasing data today on infection and death rates at its 11 hospitals, in response to widespread concern about deadly, preventable and costly hospital-acquired conditions and pressure to crack open the shrouded culture of many hospitals." NYTimes; Sarah Kershaw.

Entitled Kids - Narcissistic By Nature or By Nurture?

Young people are generally full of themselves, but a new study suggests that today's kids are far more self-centered than preceding generations.

A team of five university psychologists analysed the results of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, a 40 question survey administered to 16, 475 current and recent college students nationwide between 1982 and 2006; the test asked students to agree or disagree with statements like "I think I am a special person" and "If I ruled the world, it would be a better place."

Safety in Numbers...Hardly 

According to the report (http://www.citizen.org/), South Carolina ranks among the 10 "worst" states for adequately punishing doctors who do wrong. Actions can include fines, formal reprimands and license probations, suspensions and revocations.  Information about doctors' disciplinary records is available to patients at sites such as http://www.healthgrades.com/ and http://www.physicianreports.com/(Charleston Post & Courier, June 18, 2007)

My Souvenirs

Quick Summer Summary

Non-Kinetic Apects of War

(Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates, Marine Corps Association Annual Dinner, July 18, 2007)

But in these campaigns, the men and women wearing our nation's uniform have assumed the roles of warrior, diplomat, humanitarian, and development expert. They've done so under the unblinking, unforgiving eye of the 24-hour news cycle while confronting an agile and ruthless enemy. And they've done it serving in a military that has for decades been organized, trained, and equipped to fight the "big wars" rather than the small ones. They have shown what General Victor Krulak later wrote was the "adaptability, initiative and improvisation [that] are the true fabric of obedience, the ultimate in soldierly conduct, going further than sheer heroism."

Parents - Know your legal rights this prom season

Friends, now is the time to familiarize yourself with the alcohol laws as related to your teens.  Spring is here and prom season will be in full bloom these next few weeks.  Get aquainted with SC's underage drinking laws.  Maybe you still think that underage drinking is a rite of passage.  If I can't get you to listen for the sake of your child's and my child's safety, then maybe some "pocket book" issues will make you stop and think about the seriousness of being caught drinking underage or providing alcohol to a minor or allowing minors to consume alcohol on your property. 

Accept no more compromising on youth drinking

Surgeon General's warning:  Underage drinking is an epidemic! 

No kidding!  Just read the newspaper or look at my files.  So many people are hurt by others who are impaired.  Not to mention the fact they tend to hurt themselves. 

I have three teenagers of my own so I find it hard to believe that the Surgeon General even has to make this announcement, but I do thank him.  If the report would only make The Star or US Weekly then maybe the rest of the community would pick up on the severity and the dangers of underage drinking. 

Here are my thoughts on his Call to Action... and, of course, I do have a few....

Surgeon General Sounds Alarm for Cool Parents!

Oh, so that's why they won't hang out at my house! 

So you didn't notice the children hauling that beer pong table down to the basement?  Right? Surely mistaken for that innocent, crowd-pleasin' game, Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey.  These days not many cops or judges will buy that answer.  Better read up on new developments in South Carolina law. (Alcohol Suit Ruling Upheld, Rick Brundett, The State, 2/6/07).  Legislators are not far behind either with new laws to deter Parents/Adults from allowing alcohol to be consumed in the "presumed" safety of your own home.

Social-Host Liability is Crushing Blow to Achieving "Cool Parent" Title

Please read these articles carefully. They point out what is lacking in what should be a seamless Patient Protection Safety System.  All too often mistakes happen in hospitals and outpatient surgery  centers which injure, and sometimes, kill the patient.

         "...a sensitive fact in South Carolina’s medical world: The state’s 62 major hospitals are largely left on their own to investigate unexpected patient deaths, even if the death could involve errors made by doctors or nurses." The State, by investigative reporter John Monk          

         "...“You’re flying blind,” said Lynn Bailey, a longtime Columbia health care economist who says people can learn far more about the Fords and Toyotas they drive than about local hospitals. The State, by investigative reporter John Monk.

Scope of Practice Grows with Glenn's New Collaboration with Allman, Spry, Leggett and Crumpler, P.A. located in North Carolina

Who wants two of my UNC - Duke tickets? Have I really lost my mind, you must be asking.

 

        Son Doug & Me, Mt. Oberlin, Glacier Nat'l 10/06

If you want peace, prepare for war

Boo Hoo! Medicine is in Crisis...crying all the way to the bank

Mystery of the Hunley Solved...Not!

Everybody's Got Something to Raise Hell About!

Chicken With Its Head Cut Off or How in the World Did I Get in This Line of Work?

Father's Day Musings

This wasn't my original thought, but it's right on target!

Confederacy of Dunces, Indeed!

Chaos reigns in GOP spat:  Brouhaha ensues as Ryberg quits race, By AARON GOULD SHEININ, The State

The Pit and the Pendulum

Dumb and Dumber

Hail and Fairwell

Immigration Conflaguration

The Glenn Family Wishes You a Happy and Healthy 2006

EVFG and his top Blog proofreader Dewey.