South Carolina Medical Malpractice Blog

What does it take to cause a bedsore?

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.

When you place a loved one with limited mobility into a nursing home, you expect that they will receive the care they need to stay moving. You want them to go through physical therapy and to receive support moving throughout the day, because you know that lying in one position for hours isn't comfortable.

Though your loved one can move around a little, you've found that their mobility is not good enough to allow them to sit up on their own or to roll over. As a result, they need to be able to get immediate support to move when they need to.

Who is liable when a victim develops Mesothelioma?

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Thursday, May 14, 2020.

Mesothelioma is a relatively rare and often fatal condition, often found in individuals who suffered exposure to dangerous substances like asbestos. When an individual develops mesothelioma, it is important for them to understand as much as they can about the causes of their disease and who may hold liability for it.

In many instances, mesothelioma victims develop the disease because they worked in unsafe conditions that contain asbestos, or regularly interacted with someone else exposed to asbestos. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, they may suffer painful physical symptoms and ultimately lose their life. In some cases, victims with mesothelioma do not receive the care they need because their medical care provider does not properly diagnose the disease, costing them precious time to receive treatment.

Hospital infections can lead to injury claims

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

When we go to a hospital, we expect to receive proper care from trained, qualified doctors and personnel, not to suffer even more harm. Unfortunately, many hospital stays lead to additional illnesses because of poor hygiene practices and other complications.

If you recently developed an infection during your stay at a hospital, you may have grounds to file an injury claim. In general, hospitals must maintain acceptable standards of cleanliness and use safe practices during patient interactions. Failing to do so may qualify as medical malpractice. Building an injury claim based on medical malpractice takes time, so it is important to begin building your legal strategy soon to keep your rights secure while you fight for a fair outcome.

How do you know if you're a victim of medical malpractice?

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Tuesday, March 24, 2020.

It takes time to comb through a case and determine if there is a potential for malpractice claim. However, three of the things that will show that you could have a case include that:

Your injury was caused by negligence
Your injury caused significant damages
A violation of the recognized standard of care occurred

Here's an example. If you go to the emergency room and complain that your head is hurting, the nurses may place you into a triage. When you're seen by a doctor, the doctor should take reasonable steps to determine the cause of this headache. Some things they might do include a physical exam, taking a history and checking your vital signs for unusual changes.

Be aware of the rights of nursing home residents

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

If you have an elderly or infirm friend or relative in a nursing home, it is wise to keep a close watch on them to make sure that they are being well-treated and that their needs are being met. After all, some nursing home patients are no longer capable of advocating for themselves. It may be up to others to intervene when there are problems.

It's easy to assume that patients who reside in nursing homes are totally dependent on their caretakers for all decisions, but in truth, these residents still retain a good bit of their autonomy. Also, they have many rights under both South Carolina and federal laws which may not be abridged by the nursing home administrators or staff.

Do you know about these risks of chiropractic care?

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Wednesday, February 19, 2020.

Chiropractic treatments are typically thought of as safe alternatives to medications. Even when a person is taking medication for a condition, they might use the chiropractor to help them feel even better and as part of a long-term treatment plan.

Even though people can certainly benefit from going to the chiropractor, these visits aren't risk-proof. You should understand the risks and the contraindications for chiropractic care so you can determine how to proceed.

What are the potential physical signs of nursing home abuse?

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.

Moving a loved one into a nursing home is a big decision on many fronts, as it will change the both of your lives. While you need to do what's best for them from a health and care perspective, don't lose sight of the fact that no two nursing facilities provide the same experience.

Nursing home abuse remains a major problem, with many residents falling victim every year. As a concerned family member, it's critical to keep your eyes open for any potential physical signs of nursing home abuse. And if you have concerns, contact the facility immediately to better understand what's happening and to decide if you need to take action.

Falling while in a medical facility can be the result of neglect

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Monday, January 20, 2020.

There are many different physical issues associated with aging that contribute to an older adult's increased risk for a fall. People tend to lose both strength and flexibility as they get older. Combine that with slower reaction times, vision issues that may prevent someone from noticing something in their path that poses a risk and the confusion or forgetfulness that can come with cognitive decline, and you have a perfect recipe for a terrible fall.

In any given year, roughly one in four older adults (age 65 or older) will experience a fall. According to the National Council on Aging, that means that every 11 seconds, an older adult has to seek emergency treatments for injuries relating to a fall. How common and dangerous falls actually are for older adults can be a reason why people choose to place a loved one in a nursing home.

You have the right to ask another doctor for a second opinion

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Friday, December 20, 2019.

Going to the doctor can be a stressful experience, especially if you find yourself disagreeing with your doctor's analysis of your symptoms. If you express concern about something, only to have your doctor brush it off without testing or even real consideration, it can be a very disempowering experience.

The rise in digital medical information has made it easier for patients to research their symptoms and educate themselves about their health. Instead of viewing this new desire to know and understand health issues as a positive thing, many doctors have a knee-jerk, negative response to patients who arrive for an appointment with a preconceived notion of what the diagnosis might be or why they have experienced certain symptoms.

Can you get more time with your doctor?

On behalf of Fayrell Furr of Furr & Henshaw on Tuesday, November 26, 2019.

Patients often complain that they simply did not have enough time with the doctor. The whole visit felt rushed. Maybe you went to the office, waited for 20 minutes to get called back, spent 10 minutes with a nurse, and then finally saw the doctor. Sixty seconds later, he or she headed out the door, barely acknowledging you, already moving on to the next appointment.

If you have been there, you know it's frustrating. How long have you worried about your health issues? They consume your thoughts. They cause you stress. You just want answers. That's what you're paying the doctor for, but the doctor doesn't have time for you. What should you do?