The talk surrounding health care reform has criticized injury lawyers as swindling doctors and insurance companies out of millions of dollars due to “frivolous” lawsuits. However, the facts don’t support such accusations. In fact, reports indicate medical malpractice insurers are heaping in major profits. In 2008, the average profit of the top ten malpractice insurers…
What must drug makers tell patients about medication risks? I’m tempted to say “everything,” but I don’t really think that would serve anyone well. What patients do need to know — and what only drug makers are in a position to disclose — is what potentially deadly and disabling risks come from using medications. Even…
The family of Miriam “Feenee” Hadley received a $450,000 settlement from the federal government in a medical malpractice case focused on the death of Miriam after a surgery to remove an infected boil. The settlement represents a measure of compensation for her surviving spouse, but the senseless death of Miriam Hadley will linger. This is a…
When I first heard on Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ordered makers of generic injectable Phenergan to strengthen warnings about the medication’s potential to cause gangrene when improperly administered, I was pleased. Then I thought, “That was too long in coming.” The medication in products like Phenergan — which Wyeth has stopped…
The jobs soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, Coast Guardsmen and National Guardsmen do require them to take great personal risks. These brave men and women too often get injured or killed in the line of duty. None should face risks from their superiors or civilian colleagues, however. Members of the military do not surrender their basic…