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▪︎ Case Study with Medical and Legal Insights: Blood Clot Misdiagnosed as Sciatica in ED Resulting in Leg Amputation and $28.8M Verdict.

Hospital emergency entrance used in ED misdiagnosis case study

In this ED misdiagnosis blood clot case study, the plaintiff, a 35-year-old man, presented to the emergency department (ED) of a General Hospital on March 7, 2015, with complaints of back pain and a cool, discolored left foot that was turning “purplish” [per plaintiff’s counsel description.…

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▪︎ Avoiding Impeachment – Deposition and Trial Tips for Nurses and Expert Witnesses

Nurse preparing for deposition testimony — avoiding impeachment tips

Impeachment is the legal process of attacking a witness’s credibility by exposing contradictions or mistakes. In practice, opposing counsel will scrutinize your earlier statements (in reports, depositions or prior cases) to find any inconsistency with your trial testimony. In other words, if you testify one…

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▪︎ Top 5 Reasons Nurses Are Disciplined by Boards of Nursing and Case Examples

Nurse reviewing disciplinary action case studies

Understanding the top reasons behind nurse disciplinary actions can help protect your license and professional reputation. In this post, we explore common disciplinary triggers and real case examples to help you avoid similar outcomes. #1. Unprofessional Conduct: This broad category covers behaviors that violate ethical…

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▪︎ The Most Frequent Reasons Nurses Are Sued for Malpractice

Nurse reviewing malpractice lawsuit case studies in a court room.

Nursing malpractice lawsuits often result from preventable mistakes. In this post, we explore the most common causes and how nurses can reduce risk. Top Causes of Nursing Malpractice Lawsuits These failures to act as a reasonably competent nurse would have most commonly resulted in the…

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▪︎ Monitor Alarms Turned Off Result in Catastrophic Cases!

Effective nursing alarm management is crucial in preventing catastrophic patient outcomes. This article examines real cases where alarm mismanagement led to severe consequences, emphasizing the importance of proper protocols and vigilance. I have periodically been involved in cases where monitor alarms have been silenced, resulting…

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▪︎ There Are Many Things Nurses Can Do to Help Protect Themselves From Malpractice Claims

Nurse reviewing malpractice prevention strategies.

Nursing malpractice prevention is crucial for maintaining a successful career. This article outlines key strategies to help nurses protect themselves from potential claims. Nurses can take steps to protect themselves from negligence and malpractice claims while ensuring patient safety. Here are some of the most…

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▪︎ New Malpractice Case – Old Problem

Operating room staff conducting sponge count to prevent malpractice

Surgical sponge malpractice remains a significant concern in operating rooms. A recent case highlights the consequences of retained sponges and underscores the critical role nurses play in prevention. If you work in healthcare you know that retained foreign objects are a common source of malpractice…

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▪︎ Analyzing Breaches of the Standard of Care in Malpractice Cases (LNC)

Nurse reviewing breach of the standard of care case study

Understanding how a breach of the standard of care can lead to malpractice claims is crucial for nursing professionals. This article explores common scenarios and prevention strategies. In medical malpractice cases, one of the central issues is whether a healthcare professional breached the standard of…

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▪︎ I Just Testified As an Expert Witness in This Case…(LNC)

Nurse testifying as an expert witness in court

Last month I testified as an expert witness in this unfortunate case involving a patient who was seen in the ED for severe, acute pancreatitis and severe dehydration. His condition was documented as “very unstable.” Although one ED physician documented that the patient should be admitted…

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