Medical Malpractice

Confusion over drug names leads to medication errors

July 22, 2016

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some physicians and pharmacists are experiencing some confusion over the similarity of the names of an antidepressant and a blood-thinning medication. Although the FDA claims it is unaware…

The occurrence of pharmacy errors after hospital discharge

June 7, 2016

As reported in the Chicago Tribune, two weeks after a patient named Joyce Oyler was discharged from the hospital, she had sores in her mouth and throat, and blood was flowing from her nose and bowels.…

Medication mistakes in nursing homes can cause patients to be hospitalized

June 2, 2016

According to knowledge acquired by NBC 5 Investigates through a search of public records, medication errors committed in Illinois nursing homes are causing patients to be hospitalized for such conditions as critically low blood sugar, visual…

6.5 million dollar settlement in lawsuit over aortic tear

May 25, 2016

The wife of a patient who was treated at Northwest Community Hospital alleged that the hospital and many of its doctors committed medical malpractice when they failed to identify the signs and symptoms of her husband’s…

Heart surgeon sued for testing medical device on patient

May 16, 2016

A woman filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against her cardiac surgeon for implanting an unauthorized experimental device in her body. Maureen Obermeier sued Dr. Patrick McCarthy and Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he is the head of…

Digital medication orders in hospitals reduce drug errors, but can cause fatal mistakes

May 13, 2016

A recent report has indicated that the use of digital medication orders by hospitals has led to a significant reduction in hazardous drug mistakes, but their computer systems are unable to recognize 13 percent of possibly…

Hospital computer systems fall short in preventing drug errors

May 9, 2016

Medication errors at hospitals are the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Journal of Patient Safety. In order to address the problem and enhance patient safety, many hospitals have implemented…

Mother files negligence lawsuit against doctors for son’s birth injury

May 2, 2016

A mother has filed a lawsuit against a number of physicians at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, where her son was born in 2003. She alleges that they were negligent in failing to exercise reasonable care in rendering…

Court rules credentials data are not privileged in credentialing medical malpractice lawsuit

April 27, 2016

In the case of Klaine v. Southern Illinois Hospital Services (2016 IL118217), the plaintiff filed a medical malpractice lawsuit involving negligent credentialing against a doctor and two hospitals where he was among the medical staff. The…

CVS Pharmacy commits error that results in emergency for patient

April 20, 2016

A woman from Cook County, Chicago, filed a lawsuit alleging that she suffered injuries as a result of an error committed by a CVS pharmacy that filled her prescription with the incorrect dosage and directions. Lorraine…