Somerville NJ Medical Malpractice Attorneys Blog

Lawsuit claims botched procedure lead to teenager's disability

2013-05-16T05:55:59Z

Surgeries come in all shapes and sizes. Some operations involve incisions, removal of organs, and/or insertion of medical devices. Other surgeries are only slightly intrusive and do not require any cutting. Unfortunately, mistakes happen during all types of operations. Even a minor surgery can be devastating when a surgical error occurs. Such an incident can be seen in one operation from which a recently filed lawsuit has stemmed.

In that case, a teenager was left in a vegetative state after an endoscopy, a procedure where a camera is inserted into the throat, went terribly wrong. According to the family's lawyer, the teenager suffered a brain injury when she failed to receive the proper amount of oxygen. The lawsuit alleges the accident was completely avoidable had the doctor not been negligent. The victim is now unable to see, move or speak.

]]> As evidenced by this case, when surgery goes wrong serious injuries can result. The damage may leave the victim with a worsened medical condition or a permanent disability, like debilitating brain damage, which requires long-term care. These medical services can drain a family's financial resources, leaving them unable to get their loved one the care she needs.

Luckily, a medical malpractice lawsuit may be able to help. If a plaintiff can prove a doctor breached his duty of care to the victim and the victim's injuries were a consequence of that breach, then a case may be won. When a claim succeeds, the victim may be able to obtain money to help cover past and future medical expenses related to the incident, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

A successful lawsuit may not be able to make a victim physically whole. Many times, victims will be left with a lifelong struggle to recover from their injuries. Yet, a competent attorney may help a medical malpractice victim obtain a full of a life as possible with all the medical support she deserves.

Source: NBC New York, "Family Sues Hospital for Negligence After Daughter Left Brain-Damaged," Tracie Strahan, May 6, 2013

Unnecessary stents medical malpractice suit settled

2013-05-09T04:45:44Z

Hospitals and their doctors have a tough job. Diagnosing and properly treating patients can be difficult, and mistakes are bound to happen. But what happens when a doctor knowingly gives patients a surgical implant he knows they do not need? That was the subject of a recently settled medical malpractice case in Baltimore. As the case shows, hospital negligence is a violation of both a patient's health and her body, and New Jersey residents should be aware of the dangers.

According to the lawsuit, the doctor placed unnecessary stents in patients' arteries. While stents are supposed to be used when an artery is 70 percent or more blocked, this surgeon placed stents in arteries that were only 20 to 30 percent blocked. However, the surgeon lied to his patients by telling them those arteries were 80 to 95 percent blocked.

]]> When surgery goes wrong, the results can be fatal. If not, then a patient can be left with serious injuries that can be debilitating and require long-term care. Operating on a patient who does not need an operation can be very dangerous. In the Baltimore case, for example, an inaccurate incision or an improperly placed stent could have had dire consequences. Fortunately, those who find themselves wronged by their doctor can seek comfort in a lawsuit.

A medical malpractice lawsuit serves many purposes. A successful claim may help a victim obtain much needed and deserved compensation to help cover accrued medical expenses. Victims can then focus on achieving a full recovery and moving on with life.

Additionally, a successful lawsuit punishes negligent hospitals and errant doctors. Not only does this give a victim an outlet of relief, but it also works to prevent such incidences from happening in the future. If punishing hospital negligence through financial means is the only way to get the message of patient safety across, then lawsuits are a necessity.

Source: WBAL TV 11, "Settlement reached in St. Joe's medical malpractice case," May 2, 2013

Inaccurate, missed and delayed diagnosis kill thousands per year

2013-04-30T05:30:47Z

A new study conducted by Johns Hopkins researchers shows just how truly frightening the misdiagnosis problem is in the American medical profession. According to the study, which looked at 25 years of medical malpractice claims, between 80,000 and 160,000 injuries and deaths occur every year as a result of diagnostic errors. Most of these instances were found to be the result of a failure to diagnose a condition rather than a wrong diagnosis. Yet, either way, New Jersey patients may be at risk of a deadly doctor error.

When one is victimized by an inaccurate diagnosis or a failure to diagnose, serious injuries may lead to a permanent disability that requires long-term care. In the worst instances, the delayed diagnosis or missed diagnosis leads to fatality. In either case, victims and their families often find themselves having to deal with the physical, emotional and financial tolls imposed by a worsened medical condition or a death.

]]> Legal action can help alleviate these undeserved pressures. A medical malpractice suit may help victims and their families obtain compensation to help pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To win such a case when a misdiagnosis has occurred, the plaintiff must prove the doctor owed the victim a duty of care and that duty, when breached, caused the victim's injuries. If a doctor failed to run proper tests or misread test results, the likelihood that malpractice has occurred increases.

Perhaps the worst part of medical malpractice is that it is preventable. If doctors, nurses and hospital administrators work together to incorporate effective diagnostic procedures and carry those procedures out accurately, then misdiagnosis and non-diagnosis should not be an issue. A medical malpractice lawsuit serves as a wake-up call to these medical professionals, stating that their patients expect more from them.

Source: Medical News Today, "Diagnostic Errors Cause Up To 160,000 Deaths Annually, USA," Apr. 24, 2013

Negligent doctor who caused cerebral palsy loses lawsuit

2013-04-24T05:44:26Z

The birth of a child is supposed to be an event wrapped in excitement and happiness. Unfortunately, a medical mistake can turn these joyous events into nightmares in the blink of an eye. A negligent doctor or a negligent nurse can cause a birth injury that leaves the child with severe injuries that require a lifetime of care. As evidenced by the result of a recent lawsuit, civil action may be the only option victims and their families have to pay for this care.

That lawsuit successfully claimed a child was left with cerebral palsy after the delivering doctor departed from accepted medical practices. The child, born in 2002, cannot speak, swallow, walk or write without assistance. A jury found medical malpractice occurred during the birth and awarded the family $130 million.

]]> Negligence should never occur in any hospital situation, not to mention the delivery room. When a preventable error injures a baby, the child and her family can spend a lifetime struggling to simply keep the child alive. Additionally, the family may expend extensive financial, physical and emotional resources trying to bring the child a little bit of comfort.

Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is perhaps the only way for these struggling victims and their families to obtain the compensation they need to carry on with life. While several elements must be proven in order to succeed on these claims, negligence is likely to be proven any time the doctor acts outside of accepted medical practices and injuries result.

Successful lawsuits may bring a large amount of winnings. Yet, when one is left with life-long injuries as a result of birth trauma, the awards are not, by any means, a windfall. No one can truly put a price on basic life functions and happiness. When a negligent doctor or nurse strips these joys from a newborn's life, they should be held accountable.

Source: The New Jersey Herald, "Long Island family awarded $130M malpractice claim," Apr. 18, 2013

Surgical robot, surgeon mistake can cause nicked organs

2013-04-17T06:59:32Z

Technological innovations are constantly evolving the field of medicine. New computer systems help track patient medications, new equipment can help detect and treat illness and new surgeon-controlled robots can perform certain surgeries. While these advancements in technology often make healthcare more efficient, they sometimes make things worse. In the case of surgical robots, several are making the claim that a surgical error has caused severe injuries or has been fatal.

The da Vinci surgical robot is being used more and more by surgeons for removing prostates, gallbladders and repairing heart valves. To operate the robot, a surgeon sits at a computer, sees the patient through a tiny camera mounted on the robot and controls the robot's arms that have tiny surgical instruments affixed. While this technique can prevent a surgeon from growing tired during an operation or causing an accident due to shaky hands, the procedures are far from safe.

]]> According to reports, several accidents have occurred including nicked organs and failed fatal surgeries. In one instance, a patient was hit in the face by the robot and in another the robot failed to release grasped tissue until the entire machine was shut down. In some reports it has been suggested the doctors operating the robots were not properly trained.

When surgery goes wrong due to a doctor's negligence in operating the robot, a victim can be left with a worsened condition that leaves him with a disability that requires long-term care. In these instances, a surgeon mistake is medical malpractice that can ruin a victim physically, emotionally and financially.

Luckily, a lawsuit might be able to help these victims obtain compensation to help cover their undeserved medical expenses and lost wages. Additionally, awards for pain and suffering can be sought to help make life a little more comfortable.

Advances in technology can make healthcare better. But doctors and hospitals must ensure medical professionals are proficient in the new technology and the technology is safe before using it on patients. Any institution or doctor who uses a patient as a guinea pig should be punished with a medical malpractice lawsuit and regulatory discipline.

Source: The Associated Press, "Robot hot among surgeons but FDA taking fresh look," Lindsey Tanner, April 10, 2013

Inaccurate diagnosis leads to foot amputation

2013-04-10T08:02:22Z

Receiving the proper diagnosis from a doctor is critical. A patient's entire healthcare plan revolves around the diagnosis including medications prescribed and operations conducted. So, when there is a wrong diagnosis or a failure to diagnose a condition, what is supposed to be helpful care can turn into a nightmare resulting in severe, permanent injuries or death.

In one case, a woman was diagnosed by her physician with terminal cancer. However, the cancer diagnosis was wrong. Instead, the woman had pneumonia, and the inaccurate diagnosis lead to a worsened medical condition. The woman fell into a coma and eventually had to have one of her feet amputated. A jury decided a lawsuit in favor of the patient, finding the physician's failure to conduct a proper and thorough physical that would have prevented the injury constituted medical malpractice.

]]> A doctor error like making an inaccurate diagnosis is inexcusable. These medical professionals go through years of education and training to be aware of the signs of certain medical conditions and how to test for them. When tests are not conducted and a doctor merely makes an educated guess, the patient is put at extreme risk.

A patient victimized by a misdiagnosis can have a difficult time paying for incurred medical expenses, future hospital bills, and lost wages. A lawsuit can recover these costs and help a victim obtain compensation to ease pain and suffering.

Additionally, a lawsuit holds errant medical professionals and institutions accountable for their actions. A successful claim not only punishes these hospitals financially, but it also lets future patients know that these institutions are flawed. Then, these individuals can make a more informed decision about who they want to look after their health.

Source: The Olympian, "Spokane woman awarded $813,000 over misdiagnosis," Mar. 29, 2013

Lawsuit claims hospital negligence turned out to be fatal

2013-04-04T17:08:06Z

Emergency rooms can be hectic places. The number of patients in need of immediate medical care can push medical professionals to the limits of their professional skills. In these stressful situations, doctors are expected to quickly diagnose and treat these patients so that illnesses and injuries become stable and treatable. Unfortunately, all too often hospital negligence occurs, misdiagnoses are made, and patients receive injuries. The worst cases are fatal.

A hospital is being sued for one of these instances after a man died of a lung infection. One morning, the man went to the emergency room with severe chest pain. He was treated and sent home. Later that evening, the man went back to the emergency room with chest and back pain. He was diagnosed with pleurisy and sent home despite the patient's statements that the pain medication was not helping. The man was found dead the next day and an autopsy reportedly showed he had inflamed lungs.

]]> According to the lawsuit, doctors at the hospital breached their duty of care by failing to admit the victim to the hospital, failing to treat him for a lung infection, and by misreading x-rays and lab results.

In a medical malpractice lawsuit like this, victims expect to recover compensation to help cover unexpected medical expenses. Without this much-needed aid, victims and their families can be left unable to recover from a patient injury, unable to obtain long-term care for a permanent disability, or unable to pay for a funeral. No family should be put in such a position.

Instances of hospital neglect can be tragic, leaving victims severely injured or dead. While health regulations can help curb these cases, civil lawsuits often act as the best deterrent. When medical professionals and hospitals are threatened financially, safety measures are often put in place to avoid future mishaps. For this reason, medical malpractice suits serve an important purpose for victims, their families and society as a whole.

Source: The Telegraph, "Suit alleges hospital, doctor negligent in man's death," Sanford J. Schmidt, March 27, 2013

Ovarian cancer misdiagnoses and improper treatments too frequent

2013-03-27T18:39:27Z

A cancer diagnosis is never good news and can traumatize those who are affected. Yet, a failure to diagnose cancer may be even worse. By not detecting a serious illness like cancer or by making an inaccurate diagnosis, a medical professional puts a patient at an increased risk of severe injuries and death. A recent study serves as an example of which all New Jersey residents should be aware.

A new study shows that of the 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer, nearly two-thirds of those affected go without proper treatment. Those who do not receive the recommended treatment face an increased risk of dying within five years. The study attributes this lack of treatment to inexperienced doctors and hospitals. While the study points out the unacceptably high rate of improper treatment, it fails to highlight the exact number of ovarian cancer cases that are misdiagnosed or inaccurately diagnosed.

]]> When a doctor fails to diagnose a condition, delays in a diagnosis, or makes an erroneous diagnosis, a patient can be severely harmed. This doctor error can lead to a worsened medical condition that requires long-term care. The result can also be fatal. Victims and their families may then face a long physical, emotional and financial recovery.

Fortunately, legal action can help victims and their families out of these binds. To succeed on a medical malpractice suit, a victim must establish the doctor or hospital owed the patient a duty of care, that duty was breached, and the breach resulted in the victim's injuries.

Once these elements are satisfied, a victim can obtain compensation. These awards can be applied to medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. In tragic instances of death, a surviving family member can also receive funeral costs and compensation for loss of companionship.

Doctors go through years of education and training in order to provide patients with the best care possible. Any preventable error, like a misdiagnosis, is unacceptable. A lawsuit is one way to send the message to doctors and hospitals that negligence will not be tolerated.

Source: WHAM ABC 13, "Ovarian Cancer Often Misdiagnosed; Many Go Without Treatment," Mar. 12, 2013

Leaving sponge in patient can have devastating effects

2013-03-21T17:07:01Z

For patients, surgeries are always nerve-wracking experiences. With an open body and so many tools, it may seem like something will always go wrong. Yet, most times operations go according to plan and patients are left better off. Sometimes, though, a surgical error occurs, leaving the patient severely injured or dead. The worst part is that these instances are completely avoidable. Sadly, hospitals are failing to take advantage of new technologies that lessen the risk of instruments being left inside patients.

The most common surgical instrument left inside patients is the surgical sponge. If left inside the body undetected for too long, a sponge can become infected and cause severe damage to internal organs. In one instance, a retained sponge fused to a man's intestines and became infected, eventually chewing through his colon. After several surgeries and rerouting of his intestines, the man is left with a plastic pouch attached to his body to catch his waste.

]]> When surgery goes wrong, a victim can be left with a worsened condition or a disability that requires long-term care. In the worst cases, these mishaps are fatal. Those who survive but are severely injured can face years of painful physical and emotional recovery. These rehabilitations can be quite costly, leaving individuals and their families struggling to stay above water.

Fortunately, a lawsuit can help these victims obtain compensation for their injuries. To succeed on a medical malpractice case, a victim must prove the doctor or hospital owed the patient a duty of care, that duty was breached, and the breach caused the victim's injuries. Leaving a sponge in a patient most likely satisfies these elements.

Once these elements have been proven, the victim can obtain compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Then the victim can afford the care she needs and deserves to achieve a full recovery. Additionally, these lawsuits punish errant medical professionals and let the medical community know that negligence will not be tolerated.

Source: USA Today, "What surgeons leave behind costs some patients dearly," Peter Eisler, Mar. 8, 2013

Medical malpractice alleged in contaminated insulin pen suit

2013-03-07T14:28:23Z

People go to the hospital because they are concerned about their health. This means that many individuals feel safer putting their well-being in the hands of a doctor than dealing with the situation themselves. Unfortunately, all too often this trust is misplaced and hospital negligence occurs. These incidences can be fatal or cause serious injuries. New Jersey residents should be aware of a recent lawsuit filed in New York that shows the dangers of errant medical professionals.

In New York, several patients have filed suit against a hospital for what they claim was improper use of insulin pens, resulting in the contraction of hepatitis. The patients claim that the multi-use insulin pens were used on multiple individuals, resulting in the spread of the disease. The hospital did notify nearly 2,000 patients of possible exposure, but denies that contaminated insulin pens were responsible in these cases.

]]> This case illustrates the long-term effects hospital negligence can have on a patient. Those victimized by hospital errors are subject to permanent disability, disease and injuries that require long-term care. Recovering from such harms can be excruciating physically and mentally. These injuries can also inflict a financial toll, as once unnecessary medical treatments become imperative, leading to enormous medical bills. Fortunately, legal action can help alleviate these stresses.

The first step in a successful medical malpractice lawsuit is establishing the doctor or the hospital owed the patient a duty of care. Once this is satisfied, a victim must show the doctor or hospital breached that duty, which resulted in the victim's injuries. In a case where it can be proven that a doctor administered contaminated injections to unsuspecting patients, these elements are likely satisfied.

Once these aspects are proven, a victim can obtain compensation. These awards can be used to cover medical expenses, rehabilitation and therapy, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Then, the victim will have the means to obtain the best care possible to reach a full recovery.

Source: New Jersey Herald, "Former patients sue NY hospital over insulin pens," Feb. 27, 2013

Negligent pregnancy-related injury terminates pregnancy

2013-02-25T21:41:26Z

Pregnancy is supposed to be a time of excitement and joy. Yet, sometimes a medical condition places the expecting mother and the unborn child in danger. Doctors can often solve these problems, but other times they fail. Worse, some doctors perform an unnecessary operation that can terminate a pregnancy and permanently injure the expecting mother. When this happens, medical malpractice has likely occurred.

A lawsuit has recently been filed against a military hospital for performing an operation that terminated a mother's pregnancy and may have left her unable to have children again. According to the lawsuit, doctors misread an ultrasound, determining the mother had a molar pregnancy. In these rare pregnancies, a mass in the uterus can transform into a rapidly spreading cancer. Medical personnel then performed a dilation and curettage procedure, which wrongfully ended the pregnancy.

]]> A pregnancy-related injury can leave an expecting mother with an injury that requires long-term care. It can also cause a fatal injury to both the mother and the unborn child. When these tragic incidences occur, severe physical, emotional and financial trauma can make it difficult for families to operate. For this reason, the legal system provides these families with an opportunity to be relieved of these burdens.

To succeed on a medical malpractice claim, a victim must prove the doctor owed her a duty of care, the duty was breached, and the victim's injuries resulted from that breach. When routine tests are misinterpreted and an unnecessary operation is performed, a breach of the duty of care is likely to have occurred.

Once these elements are satisfied a victim can obtain compensation. These awards can be used to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering. Then, a victim can focus on making a full recovery and moving on with life as best as possible.

Source: ThirdAge, "Lawsuit: Military Hospital Performed Wrong Surgery," Feb. 18, 2013

Negligent doctor who caused cerebral palsy seeks new judge

2013-02-18T19:41:26Z

The birth of a child is supposed to be a joyous event. Medical professionals are expected to deliver the baby without harm to the child or the mother. Unfortunately, sometimes a negligent doctor makes a tragic mistake that results in a birth injury or death. A jury award from a few years ago that has popped up in the news again helps illustrate the dangers of a birth injury.

In the original case, a newborn was left with cerebral palsy after the doctor chose not to perform a Cesarean section. The baby did not receive the proper amount of oxygen in the womb, which led to the brain damage that caused her cerebral palsy. At the original trial, the jury awarded the victim and her family $13.9 million. That amount was later reduced. The doctor who was liable for the negligence is now seeking a new judge to decide post-judgment issues.

]]> As this case illustrates, a birth injury can leave a child with a permanent disability that requires long-term care that can last a lifetime. For families, this care can be physically, emotionally, and financially trying. Fortunately, a lawsuit can help these families obtain the best care possible.

To succeed on a medical malpractice claim, a victim must prove the doctor owed the victim a duty of care, that duty was breached, and the breach caused the victim's injuries. Once these elements have been satisfied, a victim can obtain compensation. These awards can be applied toward medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Then the victim can focus on recovering as much as possible.

In addition to getting injured children and their families the compensation they need and deserve, a successful suit puts medical professionals on notice that negligence will not be tolerated. Perhaps then they will take the precautions necessary to stop the next preventable error.

Source: Tribune Chronicle, "Doctor seeks new judge," Christopher Bobby, Feb. 14, 2013

Medical malpractice: radiologists fail to read tests properly

2013-02-13T18:56:32Z

There are certain screenings that doctors recommend individuals get periodically. Amongst these are cancer screenings, including those for breast and prostate cancer. One would think that these practices, as routine as they seem, would not be susceptible to serious mistake. Unfortunately, this is not the case. When there is a failure to diagnose a condition like cancer, the results can be tragic. According to a recent publication, malpractice suits related to mammography are common amongst radiologists, and New Jersey Residents should take note.

A new article published in the journal Radiology finds that most medical malpractice lawsuits filed against radiologist are for failure to properly read test results as related to mammography. These errors occurred when radiologists failed to detect lesions in the breast and recommend follow-up testing. While these slip-ups may seem minor, this delay can make a deathly difference in accurately and efficiently treating a cancer diagnosis.

]]> When a doctor fails to diagnose a condition, the victim can be left with injuries or a worsened medical condition that requires long-term care. Fatality is the result in the worst cases. This negligence on behalf of doctors leaves victims and their families with difficulty recovery physically, emotionally and financially. Luckily, a lawsuit can help.

Individuals harmed by a failure to diagnose can file a medical malpractice lawsuit. To succeed on such a claim, a victim must show that the doctor owed the patient a duty of care, that duty was breached, and the breach caused the victim's injuries. Once these elements are satisfied, victims can obtain compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Families who lose a loved one as a result of a failed or delayed diagnosis can also file suit. In these cases, a surviving family member must prove that the doctor was negligent and that negligence caused the deceased's death. Then, the family can obtain compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering felt by the deceased before passing, lost wages, and loss of companionship.

Source: Dotmed Daily News, "Radiologists see most malpractice suits for mammography," Loren Bonner, Feb. 6, 2013

Patient severely disabled after delayed diagnosis

2013-02-08T02:30:36Z

Many may think that proper treatment of a medical condition is the most important aspect of a doctor's job. Yet, there may be another duty that is even more important: diagnosis. When there is a failure to diagnose the correct condition, the subsequent treatment can be erroneous and thus cause serious injuries or fatality. These incidences are all too common, and New Jersey residents should take note.

A recent lawsuit serves as an example of the severity of a missed or delayed diagnosis. In that case, a man suffered cerebral vascular injury, which causes damage to blood vessels that supply the brain with blood. The victim is now severely disabled. In the lawsuit, the victim blames the hospital and his doctor for failing to consider and rule out an organic cause of the injury. If the cause was appropriately considered, then maybe treatment could have prevented the man's injuries and prevented disability.

]]> When a doctor error like a misdiagnosis results in injury, a victim can face a worsened medical condition coupled with the need for long-term care. Fortunately, a medical malpractice lawsuit can help the victim get the compensation he needs to obtain the best care possible.

To succeed on such a lawsuit, a victim must establish that the doctor owed the patient a duty of care, the duty was breached, and the breach caused the victim's injuries. Once successful, the victim can obtain compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Then, hopefully, the victim can move past the incident and focus on a full recovery.

Additionally, a medical malpractice suit punishes errant doctors and hospitals. Then, hospitals and their doctors will take more precautions to ensure their patients are receiving the high quality care they have come to expect.

Source: The Madison-St. Clair Record, "St. Elizabeth's and doctors blamed for alleged misdiagnosis," Jan. 31, 2013

Elderly readmitted to hospital too shortly after discharge

2013-01-29T18:34:08Z

Hospitals have a responsibility to provide adequate care to their patients so that they can return home quickly. Many times that care is expected to keep patients healthy enough so that they do not have to return to the hospital anytime soon after. When elderly patients are involved, this care is even more vital.

To ensure that these patients do not have to return to the hospital, medical professionals must ensure elderly patients have the proper medication, follow-up appointments with their primary physician, and a clear idea of what their own role is in the treatment of their condition. A failure in any of these areas could constitute hospital negligence.

]]> According to a newly released study, elderly patients in New Jersey who are discharged are more likely to be readmitted to the hospital within a month compared to 12 other states. The hospitals that are failing in this regard are being punished financially by the state, but that does little to help the patients who are themselves being failed by these institutions.

Hospital negligence, including the prescription of wrong medication and a failure to inform the patient of their condition and how to treat it, both apparent in New Jersey, can cause serious injuries that require long-term care. In the worst cases, these mishaps can be fatal. Victims can face a long physical and emotional recovery that can be exhausting, stressful, and expensive.

Fortunately, a lawsuit can help these victims obtain the compensation they need to reach a full recovery and move on with their life. Once a victim proves that the hospital breached its duty of care to the victim and harm resulted, the victim can receive awards to cover medical expenses and pain and suffering. Then, these victimized individuals can focus on their recovery.

While the state is doing its best to make sure these hospitals provide the best care possible to their elderly patients, its efforts fall short. A medical malpractice claim, in turn, can punish these institutions financially, ensuring that they will take the care of their patients more seriously in the future.

Source: NJ.com, "N.J. elderly more likely to be readmitted to hospital," Susan K. Livio, Jan. 23, 2013