As of mid-December, Des Moines had only received about three inches of snow. As of this writing, the forecast wasn’t promising for having a white Christmas. But we all know that slick roads and decreased visibility are likely sooner rather than later, as our average...
For the Injured And For A Safer Iowa
Year: 2023
How can faulty medical lab tests lead to diagnosis errors?
Medical malpractice claims often result from missed or mistaken diagnoses. The AARP says research shows that roughly 12 million Americans are misdiagnosed in outpatient settings each year. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says thousands of unreliable laboratory...
3 potential medical malpractice risks of telehealth
The growth of telehealth has grown exponentially since the advent of the pandemic. A 2017 study reported that only 18% of Americans used online technology for medical purposes. But COVID-19 changed all that. Spending on telehealth services exploded from $306 million...
What are the most dangerous roads in Iowa?
When traversing the picturesque state of Iowa, one might not immediately think of treacherous roads. However, just like any other place, the state has its share of challenging roadways that require a driver’s utmost attention and caution. Below are some of the most...
Are patients at risk when nurses perform a doctor’s usual tasks?
Although working in medicine is one of the best-paid professions, it is also an incredibly demanding career. Professionals need to commit years of their lives to higher education before they can ever secure a license and then have to work very demanding jobs in most...
Iowa now limits pain and suffering awards in truck accident cases
In May, Governor Kim Reynolds signed new limits into law that protect trucking companies. First, the law shields them from lawsuits claiming they negligently hired a driver who was involved in a crash. Second, the new law limits compensation for the pain and suffering...
Iowa caps awards for ‘pain and suffering’ in medical malpractice cases
Iowa has joined a host of other states limiting cash awards to victims of medical malpractice. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the bill in mid-February, placing a $2 million limit on noneconomic damages awarded by juries in cases involving hospitals. The cap is $1 million...
Emergence of private equity funds in healthcare raise concerns over quality
Private equity funds pool investments from wealthy individuals to create companies in several industries. It’s a proven model for Wall Street investors, many of whom have no intent to stick around for the long haul. Most private equity firms slash spending and look to...
The size and weight of vehicles affect everyone’s road safety
Every crash that occurs features unique characteristics. The specific vehicles involved, their speed at the time of the crash and the angle of approach when they collide can all influence the scope of the damage and the injuries incurred by the occupants of the...
1 in 18 patients gets the wrong diagnosis from a US emergency room
A recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) found shocking rates of misdiagnosis in American emergency departments. About 130 million people go to the emergency department each year, and about 6% of them are misdiagnosed. That works out...