Womens Health

Improving Mastectomy for Breast Cancer

Source:  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery: November 2011, Vol. 128 Issue 5, P. 1005-1014. Surgery for the treatment of breast cancer continues to evolve with modified versions of radical mastectomy (whole breast removal), to skin-sparing mastectomy (allowing for easier implant placement) to newer areola-sparing and nipple-sparing mastectomies.  The legitimate fear of disfigurement is a very real factor [...]

$9 Million Verdict for Misplacement of Ureter During Corrective Surgery

Injury: Cut ureter, multiple surgeries, kidney infection and severe abdominal pain Age of Patient at Injury: 30 years old Result: $9 Million Jury Verdict Court: Philadelphia County, PA Comments: Our client was a young woman whose ureter was injured during gynecologic surgery.  This is all too common during abdominal and gynecologic surgeries for women.  During [...]

$1.25 Million Settlement for Delayed Treatment of Hepatitis

Injury:  Death of mother shortly after delivery from complications of untreated hepatitis Age of Patient at Injury:  28 years old Result:  $1.25 Million Settlement Court:  Philadelphia, PA Comment:  This sad case was brought by the husband and 1 year old infant who survived this young mother.  The patient was Hepatitis B positive, a common finding [...]

$775,000 Settlement for Delayed Diagnosis of Advanced Cancer

Injury:  Death of Patient from Stage IV abdominal cancer Age of Patient at Injury:  55 years old Result:  $775,000 Settlement after Arbitration Court:  Philadelphia, PA Comment:  Our client was a 55 year old woman diagnosed with advanced (stage IV) abdominal cancer.  It was known at the time of her fibroid surgery that she had an [...]

$850,000 Settlement with U.S. Govt. for Dealyed Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

Injury:  Death from delay in diagnosis of ovarian cancer Age of Patient at Injury:  52 years old Result:  $850,000 Settlement Court:  U.S. District Court, Philadelphia, PA Comment:  Our client's children brought suit for the death of their Mother from the delayed diagnosis of ovarian cancer.  Ovarian cancer is a very treatable form of cancer when [...]

Yaz Concerns Continue.

Source: FDA final report Combined Hormonal Contraceptives (CHCs) and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Endpoints (10/2011); Associated Press; NPR Health News The FDA has now released their report on Combined Homonal Contraceptives (CHCs), such as Yaz, and the increased risk of blood clots in women.  The study followed more than 800,000 U.S. women taking different forms of [...]

The Pill lowers the Risk of Ovarian Cancer

Source: BBC Health News; National Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health A study published in the British Journal of Cancer suggest that women who take the Pill (contraception) for 10 years have 1/2 the risk of ovarian cancer.  Ovarian Cancer forms in tissues of the ovary.  1 in 72 women will be diagnosed with [...]

$1.1 Million Settlement for Delayed Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Injury: Death from metastatic (spreading) breast cancer. Age of Patient at Injury: 41 years old Result:  $1.1 Million Settlement Court: Lehigh County, PA Comment:  In this sad case, our client's family doctor did not recommend or refer her patient for surgical consult and biopsy despite presence of a lump.  Our client did everything right, including [...]

$4.5 Million Verdict for Migraine Drug Interaction

Injury: Stroke and disability from interaction of commonly prescribed migraine medicines Age of Patient at Injury: 49 years old Result: $4.5 Million Jury Verdict Court: Gloucester County, NJ Comment: Our client sued for the stroke which left her paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair.  She had chronic migraine headaches for which she was prescribed common [...]

US Preventive Services Task Force Releases Draft Recommendations for Cervical Cancer Screening

Source: USPSTF Website The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is an organization which makes recommendations about preventive care services or screeing for patients who do not yet have symptoms of diseases.  The USPSTF has now released the following Draft Recommendations for Cervical Cancer Screening in women. Women between from 21 to 65 who have had vaginal intercourse [...]