The Reno-Gazette Journal reports a local alleged “pill-mill” physician, Dr. Robert Rand, has been charged by the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners with 74 counts of medical malpractice. The dozens of charges involve 18 patients to whom Rand prescribed increasing doses of pain medication without conducting proper physical examinations or referring the patients out to specialists. Dr. Rand’s medical license is at risk of revocation if the malpractice charges are substantiated.
Medical Malpractice
This is just one example of medical malpractice cases that occur every year across the nation. Medical malpractice falls under personal injury law. It involves a health care provider’s failure to meet the appropriate standard of care that a reasonably competent and skilled medical professional would have provided under the same situation. A 2016 study by Johns Hopkins puts medical error at the third leading cause of death in the U.S. medical malpractice is ranked as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, it is sixth. These include surgery that was unnecessary, erroneous administration of medication, other hospital-related mistakes, infections, and adverse effects of medications even if administered properly. While the number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed every year amounts less than 100,000, the actual number of medical related injuries is estimated at as much as one million.
Know if You are a Victim
You are your best advocate when it comes to your medical care and health. That being said, below are some telltale signs to know that may reveal you have been the victim of medical malpractice:
- Your health is not improving: Inadequate treatment is often the result of misdiagnosis;
- Delayed diagnosis: This can have fatal results, especially if it happened because of signs missed by a healthcare practitioner;
- No doctor follow up: Every surgery, major care event, or treatment should include a follow-up with your physician to ensure proper self-care;
- You are not getting answers: You have the right to know about your options for treatment and other essential information regarding your health, including access to your medical records;
- Common or additional tests never happened: This is because a medical diagnosis is rarely based on one single test result.
Unfortunately, medical malpractice is an increasing issue in the U.S. Medical malpractice lawsuits can be complicated, both medically and in regards to the law, even though it falls under personal injury law.
Nevada Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or someone you know has been the victim of personal injury due to the negligence of another, contact a knowledgeable and experienced Nevada personal injury attorney. The skilled lawyers at H & P provide legal services to personal injury victims throughout Nevada. They handle several different types of personal injury cases. Call (702) 879- 9555 today to schedule your initial, free, consultation.
