Orlando Medical Malpractice Lawyer Blog

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.

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.