Chicago Medical Malpractice Law Blog

In a recently reported wrongful death case, one of America's largest kidney dialysis clinics, DaVita, Inc., was found liable for compensatory and punitive damages arising out of the wrongful deaths of patients who suffered fatal cardiac arrests or ischemic strokes after undergoing dialysis with GranuFlo. DaVita used that dialysis solution which has an increased concentration of acetate that converts to bicarbonate in the body. Even though GranuFlo's manufacturer advised DaVita to notify physicians to adjust patient's bicarbonate prescriptions downward when they were undergoing dialysis with GranuFlo, DaVita did not provide the notification, and many physicians did not make necessary adjustments. This case is yet another example of how poor communication inflicts needless injury and death upon patients. Our office has substantial experience with companies that provide dialysis and in issues similar to this. We seek accountability from those whose negligence or recklessness has caused injury or death of your loved one. We are here to help you navigate a difficult time, please contact us at 872-225-0195 or send us a message online for a free consultation. 

One aspect of medical negligence and malpractice involves substance abuse. With the nation trying to recover from the grips of an opioid crisis, many people in Chicago do not realize some of the victims could be the very people they trust for medical care.

Doctors, nurses and other health care professionals have high-stress job duties and easy access to medications. The official name for theft of these drugs by medical professionals is "drug diversion." Not only may patients receive inadequate treatment at the hands of drug or alcohol addicted medical staff, they may even become infected by used or compromised needles.

Vehicle recalls happen all the time. One of the most recent and prominent examples is the Takata airbag recall, which impacted around 37 million cars in the United States. This defect has resulted in at least 20 deaths from 2009 to 2017. 

While this recall made headlines, there are plenty of other recalls that go under the radar. It is possible your vehicle was part of a recall, but you have not even realized it yet. It is vital to check in with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from time to time to make sure your automobile was not part of any recalls recently. The organization's website will also contain information about what steps you can take if your vehicle does, in fact, have a defect. 

Imagine going to the emergency room to receive treatment for a serious condition, such as diabetes or chest pain. After the health care provider sees you, you feel groggy and disoriented, and may not have the mental capacity to give the doctor a phone number for a relative to pick you up. Despite being obviously unable to function on your own yet, hospital staff deems you ready for discharge and calls a taxi or walks you to the bus station. This nightmare situation sounds like something out of a dystopian movie, but unfortunately can occur to patients in Illinois and elsewhere.

The practice of discharging patients before they have fully recovered, or sending them into an uncertain or unsafe situation, is called “patient dumping,” according to Healthcare Dive. Unfortunately, patient dumping occurs more often than you would think. Hospitals are most likely to transport patients who are homeless, low-income or uninsured to shelters or pass them off to other hospitals – often, when the individuals are unable to make decisions for themselves or safely manage without assistance.