Orlando Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog

As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers, we understand that individuals and families turn to us when a doctor or hospital has betrayed their trust. We have achieved record results in Orlando medical malpractice trials by talking truthfully with our juries. We believe justice can only be obtained by dealing openly and honestly with opposing counsel, the court and the jury. Unfortunately, there are medical malpractice lawyers who fail to understand the importance of following these principles.

Over the past 20 years we have seen lawyers fail to address important and complex issues in medical malpractice cases. Lawyers who choose to ignore or run away from challenging and difficult issues risk disaster for their medical malpractice clients. Jurors want to do what is right. However, it is the patient’s lawyer who must help the jury by providing all of the necessary information.

The doctors and hospitals have teams of lawyers who are paid to try to prevent the jury from hearing or understanding the "whole truth." Indeed, these defense lawyers try to desperately get even meritorious medical malpractice cases thrown out before trial. Defense lawyers focus on creating ambiguity, confusion and complexity in order to win. Truth has little to do with their approach to justice.

Without an experienced medical malpractice lawyer, the patient may never be in a position to receive a fair trial. Seeking Justice in medical malpractice cases requires a legal team that understands the medicine and the law. With a medical doctor and lawyer, a board certified civil trial lawyer and a critical care nurse on staff, we freely educate our clients and other lawyers on this complex area of law.

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As a medical doctor/lawyer, Walter Ward has represented Orlando medical malpractice clients for more than 35 years. Over that time, he has seen medical malpractice lawyers representing doctors and hospitals invent dozens of excuses in an effort to distract juries from the medical misconduct involved. As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers, our clients can only receive a fair trial by exposing these defense tactics.

In medical malpractice cases involving a failure to properly diagnose and treat heart disease the hospitals and doctors will try to focus the jury on the patient's bad habits. Most people do not lead the perfect, healthy lifestyle. Whether it is fast food, too much food or smoking, chances are that a patient may have contributed to the development of heart disease.

Of course, how someone develops heart disease is not relevant to whether the doctors or hospital provided the appropriate medical care. Yet, the lawyers who defend healthcare providers know that juries can be misled by focusing on the patient's lifestyle. Unfortunately, unless the patient has a medical malpractice lawyer who knows how to take on this tactic head-on, there is little chance for the jury to address the real issues in the case. The patient's lawyer must be there to shine the light of truth on these defense tactics.

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While there are more than 80,000 lawyers in Florida, there are only a small number of lawyers who specialize in medical malpractice law. Most people may not be aware that the Florida Bar has certified lawyers less than 2% of Florida lawyers as specialists in civil trial law which includes medical malpractice. In addition, there are even fewer Florida lawyers who are also a licensed medical doctor.

As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers, we offer both a board certified trial lawyer and a medical doctor/lawyer. Along with a critical care registered nurse who serves as medical case manager, clients receive the medical and legal expertise necessary to take on the "medical giants." People should understand what they are up against when they are considering a medical malpractice lawsuit. No other area of law may be as complex and confusing when it comes to seeking justice for injury or death.

Unless the patient has a medical malpractice lawyer with a long track record of success in dealing with these tactics, the patient may not even have a fighting chance for a just result. Indeed, we believe so strongly that the selection of a medical malpractice lawyer may lose the case years before it ever goes to trial that we have written a book to help consumers select the right lawyer. We continue to make the book, Seeking Justice: An Insider's Guide for the Injured, available at no charge.

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As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers, we have developed successful approaches to this complex area of law. Dr. Walter Ward is one of the few lawyers in Florida who is also a medical doctor. As a medical doctor and lawyer he brings unique training and experience to examination of the medical doctors and hospital personnel involved in our clients malpractice.

Whether the medical malpractice case involves a failure to diagnosis cancer or to promptly treat a heart attack, a medical doctor/lawyer has obvious advantages. In addition, our law firm has a board certified civil trial lawyer and a critical care registered nurse on our trial team. From more than 20 years of trial work in medical malpractice cases, we have learned to take on the giants in the Orlando area. Whether the medical malpractice occurred at Orlando Regional Medical Center, Florida Hospital Orlando or one of the many medical facilities, we understand the many challenging issues involved. Our clients trust us to deal with devastating injury and death caused by careless medical providers.

Sadly, we find that most incidents of medical malpractice could have been easily prevented. Medication errors, operating on the wrong extremity and striking unconscious patients with medical equipment should never happen. Yet, when even the most obvious medical malpractice occurs Orlando Regional Medical Center and Florida Hospital Orlando may deny responsibility. Fortunately, these hospitals can only run for so long. No matter how much power and influence, even these giants will have to answer in court for their medical malpractice.

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As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers we regret the many people who have contacted us when it was too late to bring any medical malpractice lawsuit. As we have explained all to often, there is only a certain amount of time that patients have to seek justice for injury or death caused by medical malpractice. While there are many unique circumstances which need to be considered to determine the applicable statute of limitation for each case, as a general matter it would be wise to seek out the services of a lawyer specializing in medical malpractice as soon as there is any question about the medical care involved.

By doing so, the medical and hospital records, the evidence necessary to evaluate and prove that medical malpractice has occurred can be gathered before being lost or changed. Sadly, we have had cases where records appeared to be missing or altered to protect the healthcare providers. If records are gathered right away there is less chance of that happening.

In addition, before a medical malpractice lawsuit can be filed it is necessary not only to gather the necessary medical and hospital records, but an independent, qualified medical expert must be located. This medical expert must be willing to review the medical records and sign a statement that supports the filing of a medical malpractice lawsuit. All this takes time.

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Medical doctors are trained to understand that many medical conditions have similar signs and symptoms. While in medical school doctors learn the most careful method to determine. To do so, medical students are taught to list all possible medical conditions that could be causing the patients complaints. The list should begin with the most serious conditions and move down to the least harmful and least likely.

This list of possible causes for a patient's complaints is called a "differential diagnosis." Once the differential diagnosis is thoughtfully prepared, the doctor must carefully consider each potential illness on the list. As the doctor goes down the list each medical condition must be rule out one at a time. By doing so, it is a relatively easy process to reasonably ensure that a patient receives the proper evaluation and diagnosis.

As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers we find that needless injury and death results when doctors fail to prepare a differential diagnosis. Too often doctors make careless assumptions. Obviously if a doctor does not consider and rule out all potential life-threatening conditions, the patient's well-being is needlessly put in jeopardy. Yet, when this occurs rarely do the doctors or hospitals take responsibility for the needless injury or death. Rather, the medical malpractice lawyers hired by the doctors and hospitals try to avoid any discussion of the need to do a differential diagnosis. Unless the patient's lawyer focuses on the importance of the differential diagnosis the defense may succeed in making the case appear complex and confusing.

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Facial weakness, slurred speech, the worst headache ever experienced are hallmark signs and symptoms of a stroke. Few people would need a medical degree to know that anyone with those complaints needs to get to a hospital without delay. Yet, as Orlando medical malpractice lawyers we have seen patients arrive in emergency departments with these conditions only to be told that they are fine.

Even more amazing, patients with classic signs and symptoms of a stroke or other type of cerebral vascular accident have undergone testing that reveals serious abnormalities and they too have been discharged from the hospital. Yet, how can this happen in Orlando hospitals? Sadly, too many healthcare workers do not realize the importance of being entrusted with the health and well-being of their patients. It is too easy to get into the mindset of treating people as numbers. This is especially true when hospitals do not adequately staff their facilities or provide sufficient supervision.

Is there any excuse for an obvious stroke patient being neglected? Sadly, when even the most obvious cases of medical malpractice happen, the hospitals and doctors involved rarely admit fault. Instead, the hospitals and their teams of medical malpractice lawyers create excuses and try to avoid being held responsible for the needless injury and death that results.

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When doctors prescribe medication most people assume it is safe. Parents usually give little thought when pediatricians order antibiotics medication for their children. Unfortunately, as Orlando medical malpractice lawyers, we have seen too many people trust their doctors to the point where serious injury or death results.

In today's healthcare market, thorough medical visits, safety checks and proper documentation can no longer be assumed. With medical practices trying to increase profits and health insurance paying less for medical services, less time is spent with patients. Too often this leads to errors in medication. For example, when a patient tells their doctor that they are allergic to penicillin and the doctor or hospital fails to document that, a fatal mistake can occur. While this happens on a regular basis, few people want to believe this.

When pediatricians prescribe powerful antibiotics it is necessary to order blood tests to monitor the level of the antibiotics. If the concentration of the antibiotic is excessive it can cause kidney damage. Who would believe that pediatricians would forget to order the blood tests? Yet, we have seen this happen with fatal results. Times have changed and healthcare consumers must take action to protect themselves. Do not be afraid to ask questions and make sure that all allergies are documented.

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If someone is considering surgery, the experience of the surgeon would certainly be an important concern. Few people would want a surgeon who had never performed the same surgery. No one would want to be the surgeon's first patient to undergo a particular operation. As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers, we believe that patients and families would want to have a medical doctor who is also a lawyer represent them in medical malpractice cases.

Unfortunately, when medical malpractice strikes few people know where to turn. Even fewer people realize that there are lawyers who are also medical doctors who handle medical malpractice cases. Yet, what better advantage could a patient have than to have a lawyer who is licensed as a medical doctor. Dr. Walter Ward has a distinct advantage to be able to confront the doctors involved by going into the case with a complete understanding of the medical issues involved. Obviously, it is much more practical when a lawyer has first hand experience as a medical doctor who was educated and trained from the standpoint of the doctors who are responsible for the medical malpractice.

When selecting an Orlando medical malpractice lawyer hiring one that is a medical doctor/lawyer should bring a higher level of confidence. These cases are complex and can be lost if the patient's lawyer does not understand the medicine involved.

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When people have a medical emergency they usually call 911 and are transported to an Orlando emergency department. As Orlando medical malpractice lawyers, we know that Orlando Regional Medical Center and Florida Hospital Orlando receive thousands of patients through their emergency departments each year.

These Orlando hospitals have a responsibility to provide timely and appropriate medical care.
Hospital emergency departments must be adequately staffed and capable of handling all types of medical emergencies. Whether it is 1:00 in the afternoon or 1:00 in the morning if a hospital agrees or advertises to take emergencies such as heart attacks or stroke, it must be able to provide timely intervention and medical care. Otherwise, patients should be taken to other healthcare facilities.

Unfortunately, patients taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center and Florida Hospital Orlando do not always receive timely intervention. This may occur because the doctors or hospital staff fail to properly take a medical history from the patient or the patient's family. A medical history is the information surrounding the circumstances which caused the patient to go to the hospital. While this information is critical to a proper diagnosis, we have found that hospitals and doctors fail to take the time to do obtain a complete and accurate medical history. Sadly, the failure to ask simply questions has led to unnecessary injury and death.

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Many Orlando medical malpractice clients who seek our services have never heard of risk management. When a patient goes to Orlando Regional Medical Center or Florida Hospital Orlando they are innocent to the fact that these hospitals have an entire department that is devoted to avoiding medical malpractice claims. As its name implies, "risk management" seeks to limit or manage risks that the business may face.

These risk management departments hire professionals who do all that is possible to prevent the hospital from being sued for medical malpractice. They train hospital personnel, including the nursing staff not to admit any wrongdoing to patients when medical malpractice occurs. If successful risk managers will keep patients from ever discovering that medical malpractice has occurred.

Well before any medical malpractice claim is filed, hospital risk management personnel have reviewed the hospital chart, interviewed the nurses and other employee healthcare providers and may have consulted their legal teams. While a patient is still in the hospital, the risk management team may have developed a strategy to avoid accountability for the injury caused by medical malpractice. The risk management personnel along with the hospital medical malpractice lawyers will also meet with medical experts to determine if the patient's injury or death can be blamed on something unrelated to the hospital's reckless behavior.

People should understand that hospitals are big business. Risk management departments are there to minimize losses from medical malpractice. Patients must realize what they are up against when medical malpractice occurs.

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Chest pain, shortness of breath and difficulty talking are hallmark signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Few people would need a medical degree to know that anyone with those complaints needs to get to a hospital without delay. Yet, as Orlando medical malpractice lawyers we have seen patients arrive in emergency departments with these conditions only to be told that they are fine.

Even more amazing, patients with classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack have undergone cardiac testing that reveals serious abnormalities and they too have been discharged from the hospital. Yet, how can this happen in Orlando hospitals? Sadly, too many healthcare workers do not realize the importance of being entrusted with the health and well-being of their patients. It is too easy to get into the mindset of treating people as numbers. This is especially true when hospitals do not adequately staff their facilities or provide sufficient supervision.

Is there any excuse for an obvious heart attack patient being neglected? Sadly, when even the most obvious cases of medical malpractice happen, the hospitals and doctors involved rarely admit fault. Instead, the hospitals and their teams of medical malpractice lawyers "circle the wagons" and tries to avoid being held responsible.

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