Many patients who consider filing for medical malpractice believe consent forms protect doctors from malpractice lawsuits. This belief, however, is untrue.

When a patient signs a consent form, this signature does not protect the health care provider from malpractice lawsuits. Instead, the signature simply indicates that the patient acknowledges the stated risks and complications associated with a treatment or procedure. Even with the consent form, the health care provider must fulfill his or her duty to meet the standard of care associated with a given treatment or procedure. 

If you or anyone you know is a victim of medical malpractice, contact the Washington medical malpractice lawyers of Fuller & Fuller at 800-570-4878.

Plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases can sue for two types of damages known as compensatory and punitive damages.

In cases where the defendant is guilty of negligent or careless behavior, plaintiffs can only sue for compensatory damages, which encompass both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include lost wages, medical expenses and life care expenses. Non-economic damages include physical and psychological harm, reduced enjoyment of life, severe pain or emotional distress.

Plaintiffs only receive punitive damages if the plaintiff can demonstrate that the defendant committed the malpractice intentionally or recklessly. Under most state laws, there are no limits to punitive damages.

Exceptions exist for both compensatory and punitive damages, including cases involving suicide. If you or someone you has been a victim of medical malpractice, contact the Washington medical malpractice attorneys of Fuller & Fuller at 800-570-4878.

The New Jersey Supreme Court has overturned a decision awarding $70 million to the family of a boy who was injured shortly after birth. The 6-0 decision will lead to a new trial because of the number of problems with the original case.

In 1998, a 4 month old boy underwent spina bifida surgery, after which a breathing tube dislodged, resulting in brain damage. The jury, which the state Supreme Court described as being potentially biased, awarded the family $75 million, which was later lowered to $70 million by the judge in the case.

If you have been a victim of medical negligence, contact the Washington medical malpractice attorneys of Fuller & Fuller at 800-570-4878.

An Arkansas doctor is facing two separate medical malpractice suits filed within a few months of each other. The first was filed in March, claiming that Dr John Weiss failed to properly close an incision in the patient's chest, leading to serious post operative complicatoins.

The second suit was filed earlier this month, alleging that Dr Weiss failed to remove a surgical tool from the patient's leg and later mocked him, daring him to file a law suit. The patient has developed a form of leukemia because of the mistake.

If you or someone you know has been injured by a doctor's negligence, contact the Washington surgical error lawyers of Fuller & Fuller at 800-570-4878.

In 2003, a Tennessee woman complained to her doctor about a lump in her breast. However, the doctor told her not to worry about it and failed to order a mammogram the next time the woman came in.

The woman was later diagnosed with breast cancer and was told it had spread to her liver. Treatment required chemotherapy, radiation, a hysterectomy and a lumpectomy. In the ensuing malpractice case, a jury awarded the woman nearly $24 million in damages.

If you or someone you know has been injured by medical negligence, contact the Washington failure to diagnose attorneys of Fuller & Fuller at 800-570-4878.

In Arizona, a new bill has passed that will make it more difficult to bring a medical malpractice case against emergency doctors. The bill puts the burden of proof on the plaintiff rather than the defendant in any suit involving an emergency room doctor.

The law takes effect on September 30 of this year. Supporters of the bill hope that it will attract more doctors to the state. However, it could also hurt the chances of some petients who are injured by the negligence of emergency doctors.

If you or someone you know has been injured by medical negligence, contact the Washington medical malpractice attorneys of Fuller & Fuller at 800-570-4878.

In 2002, a Texas man was admitted to the hospital for heart surgery. However, his initial surgery soon required two more surgeries, and the man developed gangrene as the result of a blood thinner administered to him.

The man lost all his fingers, the toes on his right foot and his left leg from just above the knee. In court, a jury awarded the man $10 million in damages to be paid by the hospital and the doctors who worked on him.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of medical negligence, contact the Washington medical malpractice attorneys of Fuller & Fuller at 800-570-4878.