2007 - 2010 Reviews

Do you know of a good Malpractice Attorney with a track record? My friend, whose husband died, is looking - based on the State Dept.Of Health Findings that the hospital was, indeed, negligent.

I'm hoping to find an attorney that specializes in medical malpractice. My son was born with cerebral palsy at a local HMO hospital. I have all of his birth records. After a nurse who also does law work went over them she said the HMO committed malpractice and fraud. His case is good. He was full term and had all his prenatals. He missed all of his milestones but is improving. We have been told by pediatric neurologists that my son will have some limitations but being he is only four we don't know to what degree his future will be limited. He has eating, strength, gait,and speech problems, etc. We have not filed a case or pursued this matter with the HMO and I know our time is running out. It's not fair that we took a perfectly healthy baby to be born and now he will have to suffer all his life. I've been told these cases can be costly and time consuming but I can't leave a stone unturned in trying to help my son's future. I know I can't beat an HMO without an attorney but if someone can guide me, if I have too, I will go into arbitration alone to try and get any help I can. I hope and pray that someone knows of an attorney who will assist us.

I would like a recommendation for a lawyer with experience with medical malpractice. I got very bad treatment at an out-of-state hospital ER (confirmed by several doctors afterwards). Thankfully I am ok, but I lost an organ that could have been saved. I am not looking for a huge settlement, just a reputable, ethical lawyer. in need of a good lawyer

Does anyone know a good medical malpractice attorney? We are considering a lawsuit involving a c-section that took place in San Francisco. Thanks! Sue

2006 & Earlier

Recently I had bad experience with Alta Bates Hospital. Is anyone could recommend a good malpractice lower in the East- Bay regarding to labor/delivery issues ? Thanks a lot. Unhappy mom

Hi-- I am looking for recommendations for an experienced medical malpractice attorney in the East Bay or San Francisco. A local hospital completely missed a serious blood infection that almost took my husband's life, and I'd like to review this with an attorney. If you have any recommendations, or experiences with a malpractice suit (how do you know if you have a case? etc.) I would appreciate hearing from you. Best wishes. J

Considering suing our pediatrician

After thinking for quite a while, we are considering suing our previous pediatrician for malpractice. The doctor failed to diagnosis our child, and had a generally insulting behavior that ended up causing our family a lot of harm. Has anyone been through such issues? Could you recommend where to address and how to proceed? Thank you so much for any advice or recommendation.

And, instead of stating he's ''rude'', can you quote his exact words? Did he say something like, ''Only morons think autism is caused by vaccines'', or did he say, ''I don't care if your child dies''? Been there

And, personality is key -- my friend CANNOT STAND my children's pediatrician. She thinks that he is rude and condescending. I think that he is warm, caring and thorough. -anon

As an alternative I would say to contact the Medical Board of California and file a complaint. The Medical Board of California will investigate him and if he is found to be negligent, they can take his license away! He will no longer be able to practice medicine. If he is really a bad doctor, this is the best outcome for everyone. (except that you won't get $$ for yourself). anti-litigation mom

This was the same man I saw sit up night after night with sick patients in the hospital, sleep with the phone under his pillow (just in case sick patients called in the night), make house calls years after doctors no longer did that, and I could go on and on.

I guess what I am trying to say is I hope you are suing your pediatrician because he actually did something extremely WRONG, and not just because he is human. Doctors are human, and sometimes they make mistakes. Did your son suffer greatly because of this doctor's inadequate care? If so, you have a case and should go forward. This will hopefully help you, and save others from receiving bad medical care. If this is not the case, please remember that doctors are not gods. Daughter of a great guy

Emotional distress from childbirth complications

Does anyone know of a good malpractice attorney? It's for 'emotional distress' from complications of giving birth. Thanks.

In general, an emotionally stressful incident would not qualify as malpractice if there is no actual injury or ''bad outcome'' medically- i.e. harm to the health of mother and baby directly caused by a breach of the normal standard of care. In part because all illness, and complicated deliveries, are stressful and juries tend to side with the MDs a majority of the time, even if his bedside manner is poor, unless someone has an injury requiring compensation. ''Pain and suffering'' can be added onto the compensation for medical harm, but is limited by tort reform in CA, and not awarded in absence of other injury. Same with punitive damages- have to show a gross or reckless deviation from standard of care- and usually only awarded on top of the compensation.

You should write a letter of complaint to the MD. He needs to know he how you feel, may do him some good if you approach it reasonably, and give you a small measure of satisfaction. Anon