Mainers have access to excellent hospitals and doctors. But just like in the rest of America, Maineâs healthcare system is far from perfect. Doctors may not spend enough time with patients, there may be communication breakdowns, and there is increasing pressure to cut costs. When providers fail to meet the legally required standards of care, patients can be seriously injured or killed.
Berman & Simmons News Articles
Patient Safety News: Doctors misdiagnose one in five patients with serious conditions
According to the Mayo Clinic, more than one out of five patients with serious health conditions in the U.S. are misdiagnosed. Researchers looked at nearly 300 patients who came to the Mayo Clinic after being diagnosed elsewhere by primary care physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.
Patient Safety News: Man killed by defective IVC filter, family claims in new lawsuit
A Pennsylvania medical device manufacturer recently faced a federal lawsuit alleging it knew the dangers posed by its implantable blood clot filters, but sold the devices anyway. The family of a North Carolina man claims he died because one such device broke apart and lodged in his heart and lungs. The FDA has received reports of IVC filters causing complications including punctured organs and veins and even death.
Top Reasons Why Mainers Should Oppose Tort Reform, H.R. 1215
If youâve been seriously harmed by an unsafe medication, a preventable hospital error, or a doctorâs negligence, you have a constitutional right to have your day in court, and for a jury of your peers to decide what fair compensation should be.
How to Contact Maines Congresspeople and Oppose H.R. 1215
You can help make sure local juriesânot Washington lobbyistsâdecide what compensation is fair for Mainers harmed by medical negligence. Tell Congress that you oppose H.R. 1215, and urge them to oppose it.Take the time to write, call, or send an email to your U.S. Representatives and Senators. Tell them to protect your right to trial by a jury of your peers, including the right for a jury to decide compensation in medical malpractice cases, guaranteed by the 7th Amendment.Contact your Maine representatives today to let them know you believe victims of medical malpractice should keep their rights to a fair trial and full compensation. Urge them to reject this bill.Congressman Bruce PoliquinCongresswoman Chellie PingreeSenator Susan CollinsSenator Angus King
Hiring a Medical Malpractice Lawyer: What to Expect
Nearly every day, the lawyers and staff at Berman & Simmons are contacted by Mainers who think they may have been harmed by misdiagnosis or other medical mistakes. Most donât know whether they have a case or not; they simply want to understand what happened, how it occurred, and how it can be prevented for others.
Winter Truck Accidents: What to do if You’ve Been Hit
Hundreds of people in Maine are injured and several killed each year in winter crashes, some involving large commercial trucks. This article reviews the hazards posed by commercial trucks on winter roadways. We list five tools for preventing a winter collision, give you advice on what to do if youâve been hurt in accident involving a truck, and provide useful links to more specific resources.
Maine Hospital Infection Rates & Lawsuits
On any given day, about one in 25 hospital patients has a hospital-acquired infection. In this blog post, we explore ways to prevent HAIs, and how to take legal action if it happens to you.
Maine Snowmobile Accidents and Your Legal Rights
Snowmobiling is a winter tradition in Maine. The state has 15,000 miles of groomed trails, 300 snowmobile clubs from north to south, and more avid âsleddersâ every year. Public safety officials remind people about the risks of snowmobiling: Excessive speed, poor maintenance, and operating under the influence are just some of the factors that cause injuries and death to Mainers each year.
Patient Safety News: $1B verdict for plaintiffs harmed by hip implants
Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay more than $1 billion, mostly in punitive damages, to plaintiffs who claimed they were harmed by Pinnacle hip implants. Attorneys for the plaintiffs presented evidence that the metal-on-metal hip implants were defectively designed, and that manufacturers failed to warn consumers about risks.