Articles Tagged with medical malpractice

pexels-cadomaestro-3677150-722x1024A slip and fall accident in a nursing home can lead to devastating injuries, especially for elderly residents or those with underlying health conditions. But what happens when a lawsuit filed due to such an accident is dismissed because it was filed too late? That’s precisely what happened in the case of Penny Micken, whose legal battle against Heritage Manor of Napoleonville nursing home highlights the critical importance of adhering to legal deadlines.

In September 2015, Penny Micken, working as a sitter at Heritage Manor, slipped and fell on a liquid substance on the floor. The fall allegedly resulted in severe injuries. A year later, Micken filed a lawsuit, but she mistakenly named the wrong defendant, leading to a series of legal complications.

The Wrong Defendant and the Ticking Clock:

pexels-bentonphotocinema-1095602-1024x683In a recent decision, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, overturned a trial court ruling in a medical malpractice case involving the death of Nicole Phillips. The case, Jamal Wright et al. v. The State of Louisiana, O/B/ of Jamie Alleyn, M.D., et al., highlights the critical importance of adhering to proper service of process procedures when suing state-employed healthcare providers.

The case originated from a medical malpractice claim against several doctors employed by the State of Louisiana. The claim was initially brought before a medical review panel in 2015 and subsequently amended following the death of Nicole Phillips in 2016. The lawsuit was then filed by Jamal Wright, the father of Ms. Phillips’ minor child.

The Doctors, upon being served with the Petition for Damages, filed declinatory exceptions of insufficiency of citation and insufficiency of service of process. They argued that the service was improper as it was not directed to the designated agents for service of process as required by Louisiana law.

pexels-pixabay-236380-1024x678In a heart-wrenching case involving the sexual assault of a patient at an outpatient psychiatric treatment facility, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, recently affirmed a summary judgment that dismissed claims against two individual owners/officers of the facility. The decision, handed down in Sam v. Genesis Behavioral Hospital, underscores the legal complexities surrounding personal liability for corporate officers in cases of negligence. Let’s delve into the details of the case and its implications.

Facts and Procedural History

The plaintiff, Jessica Charles, attended an outpatient program at Genesis Behavioral Hospital. Tragically, she was lured off the premises by another patient, Dave Carter, Jr., and was subsequently raped and exposed to HIV. Understandably, Ms. Charles filed a lawsuit seeking damages from Mr. Carter and Genesis Behavioral Hospital, its insurer, and its officers, Will Arledge and Gretchen Karltenbach.

The recent decision in Anderson v. State from the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, highlights the complexities of assessing damages in personal injury cases, particularly when the plaintiff has pre-existing medical conditions. The court’s ruling underscores the principle that even if a plaintiff has prior health issues, a defendant can still be held liable for exacerbating those conditions due to their negligence. This blog post will analyze the critical aspects of the Anderson case and its implications for personal injury claims in Louisiana.

Laura Anderson was involved in a car accident with Marlys Sanders, an employee of the State of Louisiana. Both parties had conflicting accounts of how the accident occurred. A jury found both parties 50% at fault but awarded Anderson no damages, concluding she didn’t sustain any injuries from the accident. Anderson appealed this decision.

The medical evidence presented at trial showed that Anderson had several pre-existing conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and prior injuries from previous car accidents. However, she argued that the accident worsened her existing conditions.

pexels-chokniti-khongchum-1197604-2280547-684x1024In a recent decision, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, underscored the importance of adhering to procedural rules in medical malpractice cases. The case, Ogbebor v. Lafayette General Medical Center, involved the death of Mary Ogbebor and her husband’s subsequent lawsuit against the medical professionals involved in her care. The court’s decision ultimately hinged on the plaintiff’s failure to provide timely expert testimony, leading to the reinstatement of a summary judgment in favor of the defendants. This blog post will delve into the case details, the court’s reasoning, and the implications for future medical malpractice litigation in Louisiana.

Case Background

Mary Ogbebor sought medical attention at Lafayette General Medical Center for chest discomfort and related symptoms. She was discharged after undergoing procedures performed by Dr. Salvaggio and Dr. Cavros. However, Mrs. Ogbebor returned to the emergency room a few days later with severe chest pain and tragically passed away.

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