Lansing Personal Injury Lawyer - Medical Malpractice - Latest Comments

A comment on Woman's Experience at Hospital Exemplifies Problems with Mistaken Identity and Wrong-Site Surgeries

Mike Bryant — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 10:52:52 GMT

What a story. You have so great tips there. People do need to always be on the look out and make sure they are asking questions.

A comment on Radiologists Reluctant to Admit Mammography Errors to Patients

Mike Bryant — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:54:34 GMT

You combine this with the idea that defensive medicine, is the ordering of tests that are not necessary, it makes you wonder why the tort deformers think that cap will make things better for the consumer. I like a lot of doctors and think there much better than this untrustworthy lot.

A comment on The Doctor Is In and He Says Tort Reform Isn't the Cure

John Hopkins — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:23:35 GMT

I think one of the scarier part of the tort reform arguments being used by doctors is, in fact, the "defensive medicine" argument. Based on most descriptions, if I am being treated by a doctor, I think I WANT him or her to practice "defensive medicine". The descriptions simply sound like the practice of "good medicine". I am happy to see a physician who is being honest about the subject.

Good post. Thanks.

A comment on The Doctor Is In and He Says Tort Reform Isn't the Cure

Mike Bryant — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:40:27 GMT

Nope, not so far Steve. But, if you assume they are doing this defensive medicine to protect themselves, how will tort reform make them more honest or stop protecting themselves. I also wonder if they tell the person that they did the defensive medicine on, "Gee, you are lucky when I was protecting myself, I found that tumor" oh and here's the bill.

A comment on The Doctor Is In and He Says Tort Reform Isn't the Cure

Steve Lombardi — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:31:04 GMT

David: I'm still wondering about this phenomenon called “defensive medicine”. What is it and where do I find some? Who is practicing it and I’m not referring to the alleged person but the real McCoy, Doctor McCoy. Who are these doctors practicing defensive medicine? If anyone can name them I will make that person wealthy, not just rich but filthy rich. If the insurance adjusters can check out there files, health and accident insurance adjuster files, for names, dates and services performed that were … well frivolously defensive … then we’ll need a Winnebago to haul the money we make on the Whistleblower action. Identify enough of this defensive medicine (unnecessary procedures) and we’ll need a mining truck like the Liebherr T 282B Mining Truck to haul our take of all this wasted government and insurance dollars. With 3,500 horsepower and 24-cylinders I’m guessing even an insurance adjuster or tort deformer will find it hard to imagine that much money. I’m excited, but getting less so since I posted this offer several times, the latest back on June 24th and still no one has brought me evidence of even a single case of actual “defensive medicine” being practiced. That’s depressing because Barbara has our bags packed for retirement but we can’t leave until we have all the names of defensive medical providers.

Here let your insurance adjuster readers read this post to see exactly what I’m talking about.

Part VI: I want to make ten tort reform minded people filthy rich. ...
Today I want to accomplish one of two things: 1. Either make all the tort reformers filthy rich; rich beyond their wildest dreams; or 2. Demonstrate a ... 101k

Follow the link to discover how I can make tort reformers filthy rich; rich beyond their wildest dreams. The offer is even good for the American Tort Reform Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce people. I’m an equal opportunity make-you-a-rich- tort-reformer lawyer! Since hearing about defensive medicine I’ve been specializing although I’m still waiting for my first client. I’m getting anxious because if the President gets health reform I’m fearful all the good defensive medicine cases will dry up. Have you seen any in Michigan? I haven’t seen a single one in Iowa. I wonder if Mike Bryant has seen any in Minnesota. Wayne do you have any in Hawaii? Pierce what about in North Carolina? Anyone?

Maybe this isn’t a growth area of civil torts? Ya think?

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Here is how all tort reformers with fraud information about defensive medicine will be able to contact me: Steve Lombardi, Lombardi Law Firm, 4200 Corporate Drive, Suite 112, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 – 515-222-1110. Please don’t call all at once, because we have only three phone lines.

Perhaps “defensive medicine” is … inconceivable!

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A comment on Medical Negligence Law Equals Accountability, Tort Reform Equals Insurance Greed

PlacitasRoy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:18:52 GMT

Excellent commentary! I prefer the term "Screw the Patient" reform.

Why do so-called conservatives work so hard to protect high-priced negligence and incompetence?

A comment on Medical Negligence Law Equals Accountability, Tort Reform Equals Insurance Greed

Mike Bryant — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:46:24 GMT

Very good review of all of the problems with their numbers. Throw in the simple big one at the end, consumers will be less safe, it isn't worth the trade off for them.

A comment on Why Do Doctors Always Think They Are Entitled To Special Treatment?

Mike Bryant — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:24:43 GMT

Jurors protect them way beyond any system. People like their doctors, and that's even with a full understanding of all the wrongs out there. But, you are right, the blanket protection of the bad as well as the good, makes no sense in a society like ours. But, the Insurance companies have done a great job of pitting them against us. To bad, for such a smart bunch, that they have bought into it.

A comment on Why Do Doctors Always Think They Are Entitled To Special Treatment?

Steve Lombardi — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:54:09 GMT

Interesting post David. I'm of the opinion there is no such thing as defensive medicine. The idea is preposterous. It’s only a naive public willing to buy this argument; along with politicians wanting campaign contributions. The political process has been corrupted by greed. To admit to defensive medicine means you admit to committing criminal fraud; and they aren't willing to admit to criminal activity on a massive scale as they allege. No instead like the “frivolous lawsuit”, “defensive medicine” is a tag-line the ad execs came up with to create an illusion of a problem that if the public bites will increase profit margins. Think I’m crazy? You don’t have to believe me. Here read the quote in this post. “Apology Shield, Still not asking the right question.” See if it helps further to explain the real problem, assuming there is one.

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“The public is informed that lawyers, laws and law suits are the cause of physicians not being able to reform the error prone systems that exist in some places in America’s hospital systems. In fact the opposite is probably truer. Read the conclusion from the research group from the Departments of Medicine at the University Of Washington School Of Medicine, the Washington University School of Medicine, Waterman Research Solutions, BJC HealthCare, the The University of Toronto Department of Medicine and The University of Toronto.

"In conclusion, the medical profession should consider whether the culture of medicine itself represents a more important barrier than the malpractice environment to the disclosure of harmful medical errors to patients. Patients justifiably expect that harmful medical errors will be disclosed to them. Increasing physician engagement in efforts to communicate openly with patients following errors and to enhance patient safety could provide a much-needed boost to patients’ confidence in the quality and integrity of the health care system.”

The medical profession itself points out the greatest hindrance to a better system is within its control. Change the culture and you’ll change the number of injured patients.”

It's not all doctors that are jumping on the defensive medicine (the sky is falling) band wagon. No sirree. It's a few that practice bad medicine and want no responsibility for their mistakes and to increase profits. We can't blame them all for the few bad apples. Instead we need to change the culture that allows bad medicine to go uninvestigated. Change that and you’ll change medicine for the better.

A comment on South Florida Man's Family Wins $14 Million in Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

David Mittleman — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:34:42 GMT

Thank you for your post Jim - its easy for the medical community to huddle together and say that just about anything is a "recognized complication" BUT my question to you is, is it an "acceptable consequence" and the answer is, it wasn't to the Ziadie family or the jury.Please don't under-estimate our jury system,though not perfect, its the best system in the world. As to the informed concent - there was NO consent given to act below the acceptable standard of care.