Medical Malpractice

Florida’s Special Discovery Rule for Diagnosis Errors Cases

Published on: February 24, 2023 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When compared to the statutes of limitations other US states impose in personal injury lawsuits, Florida’s deadline is relatively long. For all actions based upon negligence, such as car accidents and slip and falls, the victim has four years to file a lawsuit in court. The clock starts to run on the date of the accident, and the person loses the right to sue if the time restriction expires. There is a special statute of limitations for medical malpractice actions, however. The deadline is shorter, so you have two years from the date of the incident giving rise to the cause of action.

The statute of limitations creates a tricky situation with a specific type of med mal case in which a healthcare provider misdiagnoses the patient. The clock could run out on the two-year deadline, which is why lawmakers provided the “discovery” rule in the statute of limitations. A Miami diagnosis errors attorney will describe how the law applies to your situation, but there are a few things to know.

How the Discovery Rule Works

How Florida Health Care Providers Commit Diagnosis Errors

Published on: August 19, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

A diagnostic error is defined as the failure to provide an accurate, prompt explanation of a patient’s health care concerns and communicate the medical condition to the patient. Even without a background in medicine, you certainly know that a proper diagnosis is essential before you can receive the treatment you need. Unfortunately, misdiagnosis is a common problem. The US Department of Health & Human Services reports that mistakes in diagnosing patients lead to 17% of medical errors in hospitals. Studies on autopsies also reveal that approximately 9 percent of all patients experienced a major diagnostic error that health care providers did not detect.

Based on these figures, researchers estimate that up to 80,000 individuals die, and hundreds of thousands suffer harm because of misdiagnosis every year. These claims fall under Florida medical negligence laws, so there are remedies for victims and their families. A Miami diagnostic errors attorney can assist with the legal process, but it is important to know how these mistakes happen.

Reasons Behind Diagnosis Mistakes

Florida Laws Impact Children’s Medical Malpractice Claims

Published on: July 29, 2022 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

You trust your child’s physicians to provide quality patient care, from supporting your health during pregnancy to delivery and early childhood. Therefore, it is devastating to learn that your child suffered harm because of errors by a health care provider. Whether from birth injuries or negligent treatment during their formative years, the consequences for your entire family can be considerable. It is a comfort to know that Florida’s medical malpractice statute allows you to seek compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and other losses.

Medical malpractice cases are among the most complicated personal injury claims, and the concepts are even more complex when the victim is a child. The same basic laws apply, but there are unique factors related to age. You should trust a Miami medical malpractice lawyer to handle details, but a summary is useful.

Florida’s Medical Negligence Statute

Shocking Statistics on Hospital Malpractice in South Florida

Published on: October 15, 2021 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

People commonly think of medical malpractice in terms of individual health care providers, but hospitals and entire health care systems can be liable for causing patient harm. These facilities are also bound by a duty to provide care, and patients can suffer serious injuries through hospital negligence. According to the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, 19 of the 44 hospitals in South Florida received a C grade based upon responses to an in-depth survey. The remaining facilities, fortunately, were graded either A or B.

If you suffered harm because a hospital breached the duty of care, your rights and remedies are similar to medical malpractice actions. The legal process is equally complex, however, so it is wise to rely on a Miami hospital malpractice attorney for assistance. Some additional statistics on hospital malpractice in South Florida reveal substantial concerns in several key areas.

Infections

Serious Consequences From Medication Errors

Published on: April 23, 2021 | by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

The whole point of taking medications is to treat or relieve a medical condition, so it is unfortunate that the health care providers we trust can commit serious errors. According to a report published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an estimated 1.5 million people suffer harm from medication mistakes. Plus, adverse drug events (ADEs) lead to more than 3.5 million physician’s visits, 1 million visits to the emergency room, and 125,000 admissions to the hospital. In all, the society costs hover around $3.5 billion, but the losses to individual patients can be devastating.

If you suffered injuries because of a health care provider’s medication error, it is critical to consult with a Miami medical malpractice lawyer about your legal options. When you review how the specific drug mistakes described below can lead to serious complications, you will understand why.

How Medication Errors Happen