Illinois Injury and Mass Tort Lawyer Blog

Published on: October 12, 2015

Study Finds High Rate of Diagnostic Medical Errors

A recent report by the Institute of Medicine indicates that diagnostic medical errors are much more common than people think. In fact, the report concludes that most people will experience at least one incorrect or delayed diagnosis during the course of their lifetime.

By one estimate, one in 20 adults seeking outpatient care receives a misdiagnosis each year. According to the report, medical providers are not required to report diagnostic errors. As a result, the report concludes that medical misdiagnosis has received far too little publicity, and immediate improvements are needed to reduce the risk of being improperly or belatedly diagnosed. The report offers recommendations for reducing diagnostic errors. One is better communication between a patient’s multiple health care providers. Another suggests that patients should not be afraid to ask questions of their doctors and be proactive in their medical care.

Medical Misdiagnosis Is Only One Type of Medical Malpractice

When health care providers make errors in the treatment of their patients, these errors can be classified as medical negligence. Another term for medical negligence is medical malpractice. There are many types of medical malpractice.

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Published on: October 10, 2015

Arizona Supreme Court to Decide Applicability of Learned Intermediary Doctrine in Acne Medication Lawsuit

By Moll Law Group

In Watts v. Medicis Pharmaceuticals, the plaintiff was prescribed a course of treatment involving the drug Solodyn for her chronic acne. According to the plaintiff, she received two publications providing information about the drug. The first document was a MediSAVE card that outlined a program for discounted purchases of the drug and warned that the drug’s safety beyond a 12-week period had not been studied. The second document was an information insert provided at the pharmacy, detailing Solodyn’s possible side effects and safety conditions. The insert also instructed takers of the drug to contact their physician if any side effects or symptoms persisted past a 12-week period.

According to the plaintiff, the two pieces of information provided to her, the card and the insert, did not bear the same warnings and possible side effects as the FDA-approved patient label or the full prescribing information that the medical provider received with Solodyn. According to the full prescribing information, for example, the drug could potentially lead to autoimmune hepatitis or a lupus-like syndrome when the drug was ingested over a long period of time.

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Published on: October 10, 2015

Illinois Lawmakers Considering Giving Four-Time DUI Offenders Another Chance Behind the Wheel

By Moll Law Group

Earlier this month, a local Illinois news report discussed a new bill that lawmakers are considering that may give those who have permanently suspended licenses because they have obtained four DUI convictions another chance. According to the news article, as the law currently stands, anyone who has four DUI convictions in Illinois loses their license for life. However, under the proposed bill, some of the 5,085 Illinois residents with four prior DUIs may be given another shot.

The proposed bill would allow for those convicted of four prior DUI offenses to prove to the Secretary of State that they have turned their life around and have remained alcohol and drug free for the past three years. It will likely take more than their word to convince the Secretary of State. Affidavits and other evidence may be necessary to make the required showing.

Once the Secretary of State is convinced, the repeat offender may be able to obtain a provisional limited license for certain hours, or for certain purposes, such as for work, school, or medical treatment. Of course, if someone is given another chance, and they are convicted of another DUI, they will then be permanently barred from driving.

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