Category: Firm News
What To Do When Delivery Room Errors Happen
If you have experienced negligence in the delivery room, you may need to contact a hospital malpractice lawyer. The unfortunate fact is that labor and delivery can quickly transform from what should be one of the happiest moments of your life into a life-threatening emergency for both mother and baby. When Labor and Delivery Nurses or Obstetricians do not follow the standard of care in an emergency situation, their negligence can cause devastating injuries, or even death, to both the mother and baby. While this scenario can be devastating to the entire family, a hospital malpractice lawyer may be needed...
read moreHypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
HIE is a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen before, during, or after a baby is born. HIE is otherwise known as birth asphyxia which can be characterized by a lack of oxygen in the baby’s blood (hypoxia) or a lack of blood flow to the baby’s brain (ischemia). Causes of HIE Unfortunately, there are many different possible causes of HIE. Sometimes, the cause of fetal HIE is unknown. Some of the known possible causes are:[1] Maternal diabetes with vascular disease Problems with blood circulation to the placenta Preeclampsia Chronic hypertension Cardiac disease Congenital infections of the fetus...
read moreFlorida’s Marchman Act
The Hal S. Marchman Alcohol and Other Drug Services Act is otherwise known as the Marchman Act. The Florida Legislature enacted the Marchman Act to help combat the growing drug and alcohol addiction epidemic. The Marchman Act established a statewide Drug Policy Advisory Council and requires each county in Florida to fund a treatment-based drug court program that people can be directed to by court order. The Marchman act also guides how individuals can be involuntarily committed to drug or alcohol addiction treatment. Involuntary Admission Under the Marchman Act Under the act, someone may only be admitted involuntarily if: They...
read moreVaping Lawsuit Basics
Legal actions against vaping companies for injuries associated with the use of electronic cigarettes and vapes looks different than your typical lawsuit. What you sue for, who you sue, and how you file your lawsuit are all features that can make your vaping lawsuit look different than your typical personal injury lawsuit. What can I sue for? Like any lawsuit, you have to allege an injury of some sort in order to file a claim. Vaping is associated with severe, adverse health effects. If you are curious about the common injuries associated with vaping, please refer to our prior Blog...
read moreCommon Illnesses Associated with Vaping
Vaping began to rise in popularity in the Summer of 2019, especially among teenagers and young adults. However, by February 2020, the CDC reported nearly 3,000 injuries requiring hospitalization associated with vaping.[1] Over 1/3 of the individuals hospitalized with vaping injuries are between 18 and 24 years old.[2] The vaping injury epidemic for America’s youth is worsening as the long-term health effects of vaping are surfacing in young adults. Some of the common illnesses associated with vaping are: Popcorn lung: Popcorn lung is the colloquial name for bronchiolitis obliterans, or the scarring of the tiny air sacs in the lungs...
read moreStatus of Person on Property – Premises Liability
Slip and fall injuries often occur because of a dangerous condition on the property that the property owner could have prevented. Generally, property owners have a duty to exercise reasonable care in maintaining his property and ensuring the safety of third parties. However, the extent of a property owner’s duty to third parties depends on the legal status of that third party. In Florida, legal status means a category for the entrant, or a legal label assigned to the entrant primarily based on their reasons for entering the property. There are three different legal statuses Florida courts consider: Invitee, Licensee,...
read moreInjuries and Conditions Related to Premature Births
A premature baby is a baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.[i] Because of their low birth weight and underdeveloped organs, a baby born prematurely is at a higher risk of health complications and birth injuries.[ii] Premature births may be preventable by adequate prenatal care by the treating physician. One of the most common complications premature babies experience is Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Because the lungs are one of the last things to develop during pregnancy, babies born prematurely could have under-developed lungs that do not produce enough surfactant, the liquid produced in the lungs that keeps the airway open.[iii] A...
read morePregnancy Complications that may Lead to Birth Injuries
There are many potential complications that can arise during pregnancy that can negatively affect both the mother and the baby. Many of these complications can and should be detected early with the proper medical care. Unfortunately, medical negligence can result in a misdiagnosis or cause doctors to overlook these conditions altogether, putting the mother and the baby at risk. Some common prenatal conditions and complications include: Preterm Premature Rupture of the Membranes (PPROM) – PPROM occurs when the amniotic sac (the membrane surrounding the baby in the womb) breaks before 37 weeks of pregnancy which increases the risk of infection...
read moreCerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is a disorder that is caused by damage to a developing brain and interferes with the nervous system and movement.[1] Cerebral palsy can happen before birth, during birth, within the first month following birth or during the first few years of a child’s life while the brain is still developing.[2] However, 85-90% of cerebral palsy occurs before or during birth.[3] Cerebral palsy does not affect every child the same way because the condition depends on what part of the brain was affected. Types of Cerebral Palsy There are four main types of Cerebral Palsy, depending on which part...
read moreBoating Accidents in Florida
Recreational boating is enjoyed by people across the country but is an especially popular pastime in Florida. While boating is meant to be fun, boating accidents and injuries are becoming more prominent with each passing year and Florida leads the rest of the country in boating accidents and injuries. From 2015 to 2019, Florida had more boating accidents and related injuries or deaths than any other state.[i] Most of these boating accidents could have been prevented though, if it weren’t for the carelessness or negligence of other boat operators. Boating Accidents can be caused by an array of natural and...
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