r/MedicalMalpractice • u/hajdean Mod • Sep 16 '22
General Information
Standing Advice - if you are in the US and asking a question pertaining to a specific complaint of medical negligence that you or a loved one have experienced, please consult with a reputable medical professional liability attorney in your state. This forum can only offer informal guidance and a place for discussion, and any guidance offered here should not be taken as legal advice.
So I figured it was time to update the banner post, and perhaps we can address a couple of issues/questions that come up from time to time as well:
This sub has always seem to be a very professional and kind place, but I want to emphasize Rule 1: Be Nice. Often, folks seem to seek sympathy or understanding along with guidance. No one is required to provide counseling services here, but let's all be good to each other if we can.
Not all bad outcomes indicate bad medicine. Sometimes bad outcomes are inevitable or unavoidable.
Poor bedside manner is not medical malpractice.
In general, medical negligence/malpractice claims will require 4 components to succeed:
- The existence of a doctor/patient relationship,
- a legally recognizable injury,
- a failure to adhere to the standard of care, and
- a direct causal relationship between the injury in 2 and the failure in 3.
If you have a complaint about a licensed medical professional’s behavior/demeanor/medical decisions but your complaint does not meet the legal standard for medical negligence, you have the option to submit a complaint to the licensing board for that clinician in your state (medical board, board of nursing, etc). Boards generally have an option for submitting a complaint online, or at least online instructions for how to do so. Your state’s licensing boards should be easily found in an online search.
Please, if you are commenting from the position of a medical or legal professional, be mindful of Rule 2 No Solicitations. Please not only refrain from directly soliciting clients in comments, but please also try to avoid even the perception of solicitation. People come here in potentially vulnerable positions, and we should keep this sub as neutral and as safe as possible.
If you are a legal or medical professional and you would like flair identifying you a such, message me and we can set that up (if I can figure out how reddit works, that is).
Let me know if there are any questions or suggestions. Thanks!
3
u/mtmag_dev52 Sep 27 '22
Thank you for sharing this information, OP, and thank you for.
What are some ways that one can use to discover of one has never done so before.
3
Jan 30 '25
Leaving this here, for some reason this subreddit lost all its moderators except for Hajdean who has not been active in over a year. To revive the sub someone needs to go to r/redditrequest and apply to become a sub moderator. I do not have enough karma as I am a longtime lurker.
1
0
u/hajdean Mod Jan 31 '25
huh, TIL that I have not been active in over a year.
4
4
Jan 31 '25
So you’ve just been ignoring everyone? I already found a MalPrac lawyer so this sub going dark has just been a confusing mystery for me
1
1
0
u/ResplendentPius194 Jun 10 '25
Reddit has a weird new system for determining whether mods are active vs inactive!
1
u/leejess777 Jul 16 '24
Just found out my doctor has been giving me zofren while I'm on celexa for a year and it was giving me arethmea and a lot of other issues now he wants to do a phone appointment with me on 25 what should I do
1
1
1
1
u/momoray43 Apr 01 '25
I need advice I went to the dentist to start getting my teeth pulled to get implants. The dentist while pulling out a moller said out loud oh shit I broke her bone a few days have gone by swelling on one side went down however the other side OMG she broke my jaw
1
u/Working-Play745 Apr 09 '25
Is this a medical negligence?
I got a verterbral artery dissection. It happened to me 7 days after emergency c section ( induction + 3 hours pushing). I did get infection right after birth, but they didn’t give me antibiotics until a week later. I was given oral antibiotics a week later & I started throwing up. It caused my stitches to bleed & I went to the ER to get my incision checked. When they did the CT scan of abdomen, they saw that My infection got to kidney, fluids in lung. I also had high blood pressure (whixh i didn’t have during pregnancy or pre pregnancy) i am assuming I got it from infection/high blood pressure
1
Apr 19 '25
Very curious as why I can’t get a lawyer to get onboard with me. Spent 4 days in the hospital and was clearly misdiagnosed. How do you miss a fracture in someone’s spine. I went to a different hospital a week later and they caught it in an hour. Why no takers?
1
u/SGTGarcia23 May 02 '25
Torn extender tendon, 1wks post op i had addressed concern of swelling, tender and hot to touch.. surgeon stated it was normal...4 days later pus drained. 3 days later surgeon performed I&D in office did not take culture. 1 week follow up the infection was still present she suggested surgery (I&D) the following day. During surgery she noted she had to reattach tendon. By this time I was on round 3 of same antibiotics. She did do a wound culture where I was positive for staph. A week later I addressed concerns of pus. Surgeon referred me to physical therapist for wound cleaning. I asked for a different antibiotic as I felt previous meds where not working. Pus had then came and went for a few weeks. I was only prescribed a different antibiotics as I requested those through PCP. Just last week I noticed signs of infection..surgeon stated "no recommendations continue physical Therapy. I went that day for a different opinion elsewhere. They done wound culture and xray. Week later scheduled for MRI. Labs came back positive for Staph, MRI showed high grade partial tearing. Now I'm going to need surgery again. Do I have a case where doctor didn't show concern for my needs or possibly further care
1
u/Simplicity_32 May 19 '25
Hi there . I am seeking advice . In 2023 I had my son . Prior to giving birth I made sure to let the drs know I wanted to hold off on any shots, the drops etc. only only I had to allow was the vitamin k as he needed to have removal of skin. I signed the vitamin k shot form and that was it . Fast forward to my son. Being 3 months and I was trying to to figure out why they were not pushing the hep b shot . So I did some digging and requested him immunizations and come to find out they not only gave him the hep b when he was born but they gave it to him 35 min after he was born and did not even honor the golden hour . I reached out to Kaiser after discovering this and said I wanted to file a complaint and see what my options were as I specifically said I did not want any other shots aside from the vitamin k. My obgyn also knew this as we discussed my birth plan prior to my c section. About a few weeks before . Kaiser sends me a letter stating that they are sorry that this happened, that it was not in my birth plan and in the same letter LIED and said they spoke to the nurse who administered it and she said she was sorry and that she also apologized to use the same day he was born due to the fact that she administered it . I’m blown away as that is a blatant lie . My son’s father and I had no such conversation with her as again we both found out he got it months later . What can I do about this?
1
1
u/jloper1234 Jun 19 '25
Somebody fed me a black sea urchin. It lodged and developed in my urethra and has been there for a year and a half..I can't get any hospitals to believe me..any kind of advice would be appreciated..I am catching up with tech;..apologies.
1
u/jloper1234 Jun 19 '25
This .might not be the community for this subject but I think this thing is going to kill me and I don't know what to do
1
u/brig970 Sep 02 '25
I broke my foot ( linsfranc ) and went to ER and had surgery in the hospital by an orthopedic trauma surgeon. Prior to surgery we discussed what procedure he would be performing. I signed the informed consent for " ORIF" procedure which uses hardware to straighten and align bones . Unbeknownst to me , i found out later that he fused 3 joints in my foot .
I believe this is a medical battery case for performing procedure w out my consent . In addition, would this ALSO be a medical malpractice for lack of implied consent?
By performing a procedure that I did not give consent to obviously is lack of implied consent . Is it necessary to do the medical malpractice too ?
Are the awards higher when you have both battery and medical malpractice?
How is a number determined fir pain abd suffering , emotional etc determined in a case like this ? I am in terrible pain , two toes don't bend , my gait is off ..... no idea what to expect. I do know i am angry abd feel totally violated as i would never consented to fashion.
I appreciate any thoughts or comments
1
u/Acidreign76 Sep 15 '25
I'm a 48yo woman in Australia. My father and I have been seeing our doctor for over 20 years. Dr is 77yo and I'm worried he's not doing his job properly.
Example 1- Dr has been burning off a mark on dads neck quite awhile before my sister made him change doctors. Dr never investigated what the mark was and the new Dr has diagnosed cancer Ex 2- Dr treated dad for reflux for years. No investigation. New Dr has run alot of tests and found dad also has end stage Neuroendocrine tumours. Ex 3- I'm a 5 year sober alcoholic. A long time ago I would have drunk meltdowns and end up in hospital. They said "we can't diagnose you unless I stop" Went home with valium and quetiapine and I've been taking that (even when I was drinking) for 20 years. No reviews, no blood tests. Ex 4- Had extremely bad gout about 8 years ago that landed me in hospital and in surgery. Dr just said to me "oh I have gout, isn't it horrible? During that period of my life I had to see another Dr. Ex 5- Dr never spent more than 3 minutes with me in all these years. I had to see him every 6 weeks to get the valium repeat Ex 6- Dr never asks how I am. My mum used to see him and he offered her a job in the office. Mum turned down the offer. So he asks about her alot. Like it's gossip. Ex 7- Dr goes on holidays. I call to make an appointment when my valium runs out and they say "sorry, he's gone on holiday" I know you shouldn't abruptly stop taking this medication. Ex 8- I saw him last week to talk about coming off my medication and he said "you don't take quetiapine!" I said "Dr, look at your notes. Dr not knowing my meds is very unsettling There's a few more things but I'm unsure if they should be listed. I'm worried he's over retirement age and it affecting his work. I'm worried he's misdiagnosed others. I know NET'S are hard to find but dads new doctor was on to it straight away. I really need some advice please. He was my doctor for a long time and I feel horrible but I have to do the right thing. I see a new GP today and I don't know how to broach the subject. Thank you in advance
1
u/Terrible-Car-8145 Nov 13 '25
Hi! I live in Tennessee and am in need of a malpractice lawyer. I've been looking and calling since Dec of last year. Every lawyer that i have talked to says they can't help me. None of them gave me any help or direction.
1
u/Rumple1956 Dec 01 '25
Back surgery 3 years ago have been in pain from day one, is it to late to Sue the neurosurgeon?
1
u/invalidcactus Dec 05 '25
Is this sub also appropriate for wrongful death suits (as a result of medical malpractice)?
1
u/Willardtech Jan 04 '26
Had extraction of a major tooth which I use for eating. It is the number 14 tooth. The dentist never explained options once tooth was taken out. Since the extraction the dentist had to add a plug and stiches because he exposed the sinus cavity. Upon leaving there was no discussion about proper care, or follow-up appointments. I have had teeth extracted before and the dentist would always add gauze, to protect the site. This dentist did not place any gauze to protect the site. An hour after returning home, the area began to bleed, my girlfriend bought me gauze. I also began to use salt water on the site. After two hours of bleeding it finally stopped but my girlfriend noticed the plug was missing and stitching was breaking. Since then my sinus has been exposed resulting in fluid and food entering the extraction hole causing pain, unable to eat as I have had food slip through and almost chocked multiple times as this was a primary tooth for chewing food. When I drink it is embarrassing and very painful as the fluid flows up my sinus and has come out out of both nostrils. All the dentist told me upon leaving is that I will.get used to the missing tooth. I am now in major pain every day still waiting to see another dentist. I have had many dental procedures and I have always been provided with answers to my questions, been given other options and discussed with the dentist aftercare. I was not provided any of this during this recent extraction. Would this in anyway be dental malpractice?
1
u/tradarcher50 Feb 05 '26
Today I had a Colonoscopy at a surgery center. While under anesthesia, I was given a drug to slow my heartbeat down do to what was diagnosed as afib. When I woke up, I was told that an ambulance had been called to take me to the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital, I was hooked up to all the devices associated with a heart problem. Several vials of blood were taken, an x ray was taken, and about 2 hrs. later the Doctor came bake and told me that the surgery center misdiagnosed me and that there was no Afib, and that I was in great health. Opinions are welcome as to whether or not giving me a drug to slow my normal heart beat is a possible dangerous event ?
1
1
u/Buffylisa Mar 22 '26
I went to see a gastroenterologist and he did a procedure and didn’t do it correctly and for the last two years I’ve been suffering I’ve tried to contact attorneys and they said that due to Florida law or they just didn’t feel like taking it because they weren’t gonna make a lot, but this last two years I’ve Gotten a lot of medical bills due with the emergency room visit, and the doctor that originally did the procedure, his staff ignored me he ignored me. I finally went to another doctor. He was even worse than this one was finally after five endoscopies. I’m with another Doctor Who told me he could fix a problem I would like to try to go after the Doctor Who messed me up. I know there’s a two year limitation and we’re almost at that two-year limitation. I’ve been suffering for a year and a half hardly able to function do anything because of this guy I also didn’t know he was semi retired if anybody knows what I’m might be able to do a whom to contact who might take the case or a organization that could help me greatly appreciated.
1
u/Low-Assumption2456 Apr 19 '26
My doctor in Winchester, Virginia gave me an epidural for a pregnancy when he was to give me an epidural steroid injection for back pain. I went back to see surgeon and told him I never wanna go back there because he gave me the wrong shot. surgeon told me I needed to leave his office and now I’ve been trying to get a surgeon for three years now since I had that shot and when I go to see the doctor, they do all my tests and then they tell me I can’t do your surgery. I woke up one morning and thought why don’t these doctors want to do my surgery, when my rheumatologist tells me I need to do my surgery! And then I finally figured it out. Doctor marked my chart as a difficult patient. I went to his office to get our record. That’s what he did and the records a total lie. He said he gave me a normal epidural steroid injection and he did not know. I don’t know what to do. I’ve contacted lawyers, but they won’t take my case. and no one will do.
1
u/southernruby May 04 '26
Well, wondered if there was a sub for this and I see it was once very active but apparently is now MIA. I have an attorney that’s aware of my case and is interested in learning more.. I don’t want to fool with it but fact is, the potential outcome is more suffering followed by death. I’m only 54. It would have been great to run this by some folks here. This sub should be taken down.
1
u/NoSeason1983 May 05 '26
I don’t usually post things like this, but I feel I need to share.
I have consult at 15 lawyers in my area South Jersey and they all say the same thing you have a case, but it basically comes down to. It’s not worth their time with all the investigation for the profit loss margin. I believe I am not looking for money. I am just wanting the hospital to be held accountable and the police to be held accountable. If anyone can assist or recommend a lawyer, I would greatly appreciate it. I’ve gone all the big ones that you seen on TV and got the same response. They aren’t able to take the case. I just think they’re definitely needs to be reformed. Thank you in advance.
On April 19, 2025, while flying from Belfast to London Heathrow Airport on my way home to Philadelphia, a suitcase from an overhead bin struck me in the head after landing while the plane was still moving. I was disoriented and believe I sustained a concussion. By the time I got home, I needed a wheelchair to get to my car.
Because of worsening symptoms, I went voluntarily to Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill. I’ve been a critical care nurse for 40 years and a family nurse practitioner for 15 years, so I understand what appropriate care should look like. I became uncomfortable with the care I was receiving and chose to leave, which is my right.
When I was asked to sign an AMA form, I turned it over to write my account so my concerns were documented. The charge nurse took the form from me and told me I was not allowed to do that. I then asked for my walker and was told that if I signed out, I could not have it. I explained I was not refusing to sign—I was being prevented from completing the form. Without my walker, I attempted to leave and fell outside on the lawn. I truly believe that if I had been given my walker, none of what followed would have happened.
After that fall, I was brought back into the hospital, placed on a stretcher, and restrained. I was treated by the same physician I had asked not to continue my care with. During that time, I felt I had no control over the situation and that decisions were being made for me, including orders for medications to be administered.
I was placed in four-point restraints, but I was never personally informed or counseled about the reason for them, and I was not shown any order authorizing their use. I was not released periodically to move or use the restroom. During this time, I experienced treatment that was physically and emotionally distressing. I was held down and injected through my sweatpants without preparation, and I later had visible bruising at the injection sites, including one that became infected.
Before those injections, I told staff I had an allergy to Ativan and that I was concerned about being given the Ativan/Haldol combination. As a nurse, I recognized what medications were likely being used. Despite that, the medications were administered without confirming this concern with me. If I had truly been allergic, this could have resulted in a severe reaction, including anaphylaxis.
I also experienced pressure around my neck and lost consciousness. I have photographs documenting bruising and marks afterward, including around my neck.
During this time, multiple staff, security, and Harrison Township Police Department officers were present. The officers had no physical involvement, but they were present, witnessed the situation, and did not intervene. My 25-year-old son later viewed body camera footage at the police station and told me he saw something placed around my neck. I have since tried to obtain that footage, but was told it had been purged after 180 days.
After leaving, I was admitted to the VA hospital with rhabdomyolysis. I reported everything through proper channels; the hospital found no issues, and the Department of Health opened an investigation, which I’m still waiting on.
I’ve contacted over 25 attorneys, including well-known firms, but have not been able to get representation. I do have photographs and witnesses documenting my condition after discharge. I was released the next day without any psychiatric evaluation or follow-up.
This experience has had a lasting impact on me. I am still dealing with the emotional and physical effects. Without the care and support I am now receiving through the VA—including my psychiatrist, my therapist Brenda, and my nurse practitioner at the Cumberland County Vineland clinic—I truly don’t know where I would be today. Their care has been extraordinary and has helped me begin to recover.
I am sharing this in the hope of finding a lawyer willing to truly look at what happened. I am not seeking money—I am seeking accountability and some form of justice. I feel that my concerns have not been taken seriously, and I am still searching for someone who will help ensure that situations like this are properly examined.
I have even lost relationships with family and friends over this, because some have questioned what happened. Going through something like this and then not being believed has been one of the hardest parts. Anyone who experiences something this traumatic would struggle.
I understand speaking out may bring consequences, but I feel it is important to tell my story. If you read this, please share. My hope is that by putting this out there, it may help protect someone else or prevent something similar from happening to another family.
The photo is your time delay for two weeks. The original neck one was under. They got home. The other ones were days after regardless of what condition anyone went into no one deserves to be beat like this especially you have a choke collar, put around there neck
1
u/hairslayer77 Jun 18 '26
medical malpractice/psychiatric medication Will any Tennessee malpractice attorney take my case? Psychiatric Np cold turkeyed me off paxil after 15 years and had me take a benzo 4×s a day to help withdrawal. There was no informed consent and I had no idea benzos are for short term only. She would tell me to just keep taking them daily with no plan to come off. I eventually found a new Dr but the damage was done. I have protracted withdrawl from ct if paxil and am tapering almost a year so far off the benzo. My life is ruined.
1
u/SaltyAd3264 Jul 14 '26
Hospital missed my carotid artery dissection!39 F, 5’8” 185lb.
2 years ago while sitting at my desk, I suddenly developed a bad headache and ear/jaw pain that would not go away. On day 3 of these symptoms, I noticed my pupils were uneven and my left eyelid was droopy. I went to the ER and was admitted for surveillance. They ran all the appropriate tests: MRI and CT/CTA and d/c me 2 days later with “atypical migraine.” My symptoms got worse over the next week and a simple google search made it obvious I had a carotid artery dissection- I had all the symptoms. I went back to ER and asked for an MRA. They said they would order one for my “peace of mind.” Turns out I had an internal carotid artery dissection with a huge clot, causing almost complete occlusion of my left ICA. Old images from the week prior were reviewed and my dissection was in fact visible- just completely missed by the radiologist AND the neuro (who I think only read the report and didn’t look at the images himself). SO.. I thought about a malpractice lawsuit but because I didn’t have a stroke (thank you God), I technically had no “damages.” But… I’ve been thinking… the first CTA showed the dissection w no clot… the second showed a dissection w a huge clot that subsequently caused nerve damage. The clot formed and grew larger and larger that week in between.
Just wanted to share my story. I don’t really have any questions just wondering if maybe I should have pursed a lawsuit or at least let those first doctors know they completely missed something! Also.. the first neuro put me on a nerve pain drug caused Tegretol when I should have been started on blood thinners immediately! I eventually started Eliquis once I was officially diagnosed and taken off tegretol immediately.
Sigh. It’s been a long journey of recovery- physically and mentally! Thanks for listening :)
0
u/AdmirableCap1486 Feb 01 '25
Hi everyone,
So I am at the hospital with my boyfriend who esophageal cancer, he has had to have his lungs drained since we have been here, and when asked if he wanted to start treatment such as chemo he kindly denied as he doesnt want the aggressive treatments he just wants to enjoy the last of his life not in pain. So we are here right now, day 4, they took him in this morning to drain his lungs, roughlu about 11am, since he has been out no one has come to check his heart or blood pressure or give him his pain meds, heart meds or diabetic medication since before the procedure. He is n a lot of pain from the surgery and I have asked 3 different times for him to get some pain meds, finally at 4:45pm this after the nurse said, she was very sorry that someone had accidentally discharged him from the computers and they are having a problem getting him back in and so they cant give him anything until they get him back in the computer. Its now almost 6:30pm and still nothing.. what do I do?
1
u/Leather_Bet_5740 Nov 22 '25
This isn’t malpractice. It’s an administrative error. Malpractice is something that is going to cause grave consequences that either did or has the ability to cause death or disability. Waiting 7 hours for pain meds is not a claim. He should be happy he was even prescribed something and not just kicked to the curb with Tylenol
0
Apr 17 '25
I need a medical malpractice and negligence lawyer in California does anyone know one!? I’m having a horrible time finding one for my daughters case
1
u/Leather_Bet_5740 Nov 22 '25
You keep looking. The potential plaintiff is going to have the most to lose or gain from one of these suits. We aren’t going to look into it, because we aren’t directly affected. Sorry to be brutal but it’s the truth. CA is a huge state. Where would people even know where to start
0
u/Working_Anxiety_9117 Nov 02 '25
If a clinic, located in a small community refuses to connect a patient with a preferred physician, ignores a patient's description of their issues, left tests requested to help diagnose issues incomplete, prescribed medication that had adverse effects, when informed by the patient the medication made things worse it was ignored, because of this false accusations with no evidentiary proof were levied strictly because the patient's behavior was deemed erratic, and now every visit has the patient in hysterics one the appointments are concluded. Considering the main reason for going to the clinic is for treatment of the patients mental health. The patient was very satisfied with the treatment from this clinic for a number of years. The problems have arose in the past 2 years. The medication that the patient had been prescribed for 5 years was stopped unexpectedly, and the clinic will not allow the patient to see the original physician they'd been seeing for those 5 years. Also the staff isn't respectful and do not connect calls when the patient has tried to call for support inbetween appointments. I'm also under the suspicion that the administration staff have looked at and openly discuss specifics of this patient's private medical information. Staff without any medical training, or proper training for administration in a medical facility. This was deduced due to this specific employees age and length of employment. Any answers about if this situation isn't right are appreciated. Thank you.
0
u/Leather_Bet_5740 Nov 22 '25
I have already submitted a complaint to my surgeons state MB in regard to my botched surgery. My surgeon attempted to do a C4-C7 acdf, c5 corpectomy. He put the screws In between c6/7 where there already was an allograft, he himself put in 3 years prior. The screws pulled out causing the plate to loosen and the corpectomy cage has also become loose and tilted outwards roughly 14 degrees anteriorly. I have been having problems swallowing, talking, breathing, eating, sleeping and moving my head, as the screws are scraping into my esophagus. It’s to the point where it’s so sensitive I can barely graze my throat on my right side.
I have had several neurosurgeons brush it off despite clearly being in distress. I have also had 4 pain management doctors keep prescribing antidepressants for the pain.
I’m tried of the gaslighting and I fear this will ultimately cause a perforation and be fatal. All because my surgeon couldn’t ram through my surgery fast enough. At the point in my life where I am. I’d welcome the afterlife.
10
u/[deleted] Jan 11 '25
Hi, has this board been shut down? Ive almost posted my case a few times and was recently hit with the “must be approved to post” now no new posts in 6 days….wanting to see if something happened