A man went to the hospital in February 2010 with slurred speech; he was confused and disoriented. It was the fourth and most severe such episode he had experienced in eight months. The man was admitted to intensive care and underwent a CT scan and MRI. The neurosurgeon believed the patient may have been suffering from hydrocephalus, which is potentially fatal. The patient was monitored for 24 hours, at which time the neurosurgeon concluded that the patient did not have pressure or fluid on the brain; the infection that developed had resolved. He was released from the hospital five days later. Three months later, his 11-year-old daughter found him dead in bed. The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was fluid on the brain. He left behind a wife and three young children.

The family filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor claiming that he should have placed a shunt or drain in her husband’s brain and that he was negligent for failing to do so. The jury agreed and awarded a $4.2 million verdict. The amount was lowered to $1.87 due to state caps. The doctor appealed the decision. The higher court agreed with the doctor stating that the decision was based on insufficient and unsupported evidence and that it should be overturned. Specifically, they stated that the plaintiff failed to prove that the doctor was negligent and that this led directly to the patient’s death.

Most likely, the medical expenses alone left this family financially strapped. When a plaintiff is dealing will the loss of income and mounting unpaid bills, litigation funding can be the emergency cash needed to get through the litigation process, including an appeal. Once case documentation is reviewed and the strength of the case determined, approvals can be available within 24 – 48 hours. No money is owed until the case successfully settles, at which time repayment is made from the proceeds of the case. The most attractive part about lawsuit funding is that if the case is lost, as happened on appeal in this case, repayment is completely waived.

If you have filed, or plan to file, a medical malpractice lawsuit and are represented by an attorney, you may be eligible for medical malpractice litigation funding. For a free consultation or to apply, complete the online contact form or contact Litigation Funding Corporation at 1.866.LIT.FUND. We may have the solution you need to stay financially afloat in hard times.

Rogers was discharged several hours later and was found dead in her home the next day. As a result of her sudden death, an inquest was held and it was discovered that the radiologist failed to diagnose an ultimately fatal heart condition, a dissected aorta. The inquest found there was no reason why the doctor made an incorrect diagnosis and stated in his report that there was no acute abnormality seen in the abdomen or chest. A dissected aorta is clearly seen on a CT scan.

In addition to the stress and grief this family suffered, they would have also been faced with large medical bills for the medical care provided, including paying for the ambulance trip to the hospital and funeral and burial expenses.

A solution for their financial difficulties could come in the form of litigation funding, otherwise known as pre-settlement funding or a lawsuit loan. Litigation funding is an emergency cash advance that allows plaintiffs in financial straits to get back on their feet while they are waiting for their case to be settled or to go to court.

In order to receive litigation funding, the plaintiff and their attorney must first submit the required case paperwork to a litigation funding company for approval. The case outlines all the facts and the suggested amount it may be settled for or what the plaintiff may be awarded in court. Once the application has been approved, the lawsuit loan arrives directly in the plaintiff’s bank account within 24 to 48 hours.

From there, the applicant may use the pre-settlement funding to spend on anything they want. However, most know that paying their immediate medical bills and staying current on all other financial obligations is the smart thing to do. It also makes good sense for them to hold funds for the duration of their wait for justice.

One of the highlights of having that money on hand is the fact that plaintiffs do not have to deal with insurance companies who want them to settle for far less than they could expect in court. Insurance companies are not in the business to settle high. They want to reduce, diminish or dismiss as many claims as possible.

With litigation funding in the bank, the plaintiff can ignore any insurance company overture to settle. Applying for a lawsuit loan is also a very user-friendly process, with service representatives to help every step of the way. They know that when a plaintiff applies for a lawsuit loan, they have been through the wringer and need help. Plaintiffs are treated with great respect and courtesy.

Daren Monroe writes for Litigation Funding Corp. To learn more about lawsuit funding and litigation funding, visit http://www.litigationfundingcorp.com/.

Geralda Morales wanted to help her ill grandmother by donating a kidney to her. She was deemed a compatible match, and the operation took place in 2012. They did not know that Rodriguez was dying from terminal cancer that had not been properly diagnosed before the transplant operation.

According to court documents, Rodriguez was admitted to a hospital in 2012, complaining of headaches. Medical checks revealed an elevated blood pressure. A CT scan was ordered, and the radiologist noted the presence of temporal bone irregularities, often a signal of multiple myeloma (a cancer originating in the blood’s plasma cells, or another metastatic disease process).

In February 2012, a kidney transplant was performed to address her health issues. But in August 2012, doctors discovered that Geralda Rodiguez was terminally ill with multiple myeloma. Rodiguez died in January 2013 at the age of 66.

Her granddaughter sought legal counsel and filed a medical malpractice lawsuit, arguing that since her grandmother’s CT scan had suggested cancer, she should never have had the transplant operation.

Morales’ lawsuit alleges that the primary surgeon negligently failed to review her grandmother’s CT scan and sent the duo for the renal transplant operation. Ultimately, the suit suggests that the operation was useless in the face of fatal illness. Morales seeks compensation for physical impairment, loss of earning capacity, physical pain and mental anguish, and funeral and burial expenses.

The Morales family incurred large medical bills to assist a dying family member by donating a life-giving kidney. Had they known her grandmother was terminally ill with other medical issues, Morales may not have donated her organ.

The Morales family may wish to find out as much as they can about litigation funding. A pre-settlement loan is emergency funding sent to an approved plaintiff to help them get back on their feet financially. The lawsuit loan helps them pay their urgent bills, such as the ones from the hospital, and allows them to keep current with their other important financial obligations.

A lawsuit loan is not for everyone, but there are a number of benefits that plaintiffs do find appealing. No credit checks are necessary, and the plaintiff does not need to have a job when they apply. There are no up-front or monthly fees, and if the plaintiff loses his or her case in court, he or she keeps the money – no strings attached.

Daren Monroe writes for Litigation Funding Corp. To learn more about lawsuit funding and litigation funding, visit http://www.litigationfundingcorp.com/.

But my perspective on these things changed about six weeks ago.  At that time, my son was playing baseball, fell and hit his head, and he sustained a concussion.

Naturally, because of my experience in head injury cases, I panicked and feared the worst.

Once we took him to the hospital and had him undergo a CT scan to rule out a hidden brain bleed, my fears were reduced.  At that time, he had some headaches, a little bit of dizziness when standing up, and a little bit of nausea.  I knew from my experience that, once the brain bleed was ruled out, he’d likely be fine with a little (or a lot) of rest and time as long as he didn’t sustain a second concussion before his brain healed (second-impact syndrome – problems caused when a person has a second concussion before being healed from an initial concussion – can be catastrophic).

But then, we were faced with the harder question, “How do we know when he’s better?  When is it okay to let him start participating in activities again?  He looks fine, he isn’t having symptoms, but how do we know his brain is actually healed?”

Going through his treatment, we learned about ImPACT testing.  ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is a widely-used and scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system.  This test measures cognitive abilities and  cognitive processing of participants.  When people take the test after a concussion, it can help medical providers make a determination of when the injured brain is healed.

But the key is having a baseline —- knowing what your cognitive abilities and processing are BEFORE you sustain a concussion.  That way, doctors know whether you’re scoring as well as you did before you had the brain injury.

In our case, we didn’t know about the test before my son’s accident, and we didn’t have a baseline.  My son’s medical providers were able to take his test scores and compare them to averages, but they weren’t able to definitively tell us if his brain was able to think and process as well as it did before the concussion.

But that’s a problem.  And it’s why the NFL, MLB, NHL, NASCAR and many universities and school districts require their athletes to have a baseline ImPACT test and score before the athletes are allowed to participate in those sports.

Having gone through this, I think more parents need to know about it.  If you or your child participate in sports, dance, cheer or other athletic activities, I urge you to have your child take the baseline test sooner rather than later.  The baseline test is relatively inexpensive.  I know that the specialist who treated my son offer the pre-concussion testing for $20.  This testing cane be done online, at home.  This is a small price to pay to help protect your kids.

If you want to learn more or find someone in your area who can administer a baseline test,  visit the ImPACT website at  www.impacttest.com.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is often discovered during the last few weeks of a pregnancy. It may also be diagnosed within five months of delivering the baby. This is a serious and potentially deadly condition that doctors need to be aware of and remain on top of it, should it be diagnosed.

Cardiomyopathy refers to a weak heart muscle that is unable to properly transport blood through the mother’s body. Without enough oxygen, the lungs, liver and other vital organs are seriously affected. This condition, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), is seen in approximately every one in 1,300 to 4,000 deliveries. More often than not, it occurs in women over the age of 30.

How does a physician make a finding of peripartum cardiomyopathy? Usually, the doctor would find evidence of this disorder during a regular pregnancy check, or if the mother came to the office with unexplained, unusual symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, swollen ankles, persistent fatigue, and increased urination.

In most instances, the first thing a doctor would check would be the lungs, to determine if there is fluid in them. This is usually accomplished by tapping the lung area with the fingers, like playing percussion on a small drum, and listening with a stethoscope. If there are any unusual sounds, such as crackling in the lungs or the heart rhythm is not steady, the doctor checks for swollen neck veins and/or an enlarged liver. The mother’s blood pressure may also drop if she has peripartum cardiomyopathy.

A responsible physician runs various tests to find out what is affecting the heart that may include, but not be limited to: a nuclear heart scan, an ECG, chest x-ray, coronary angiography and chest CT scan. Although this is a serious condition, it is reversible with prompt and appropriate treatment with the right range of drugs.

If a doctor does not accurately diagnose this condition, or fails to diagnose this condition, or does not order appropriate tests and the condition worsens and causes serious harm, it is classified as medical negligence. If you believe your doctor failed to treat you properly, contact a skilled medical malpractice lawyer for assistance in obtaining compensation.

Learn more about birth injuries.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is often discovered during the last few weeks of a pregnancy but may be diagnosed within five months of delivering the baby.

A physician can diagnose the condition during a regular pregnancy check, but sometimes a mother will visit her OB/gyn with unexplained, unusual symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, swollen ankles, persistent fatigue, and increased urination.

In most instances, the first thing a doctor would check would be the lungs, to determine if there is fluid in them. This is usually accomplished by tapping the lung area with the fingers, like playing percussion on a small drum, and listening with a stethoscope. If there are any unusual sounds, such as crackling in the lungs or the heart rhythm is not steady, the doctor checks for swollen neck veins and/or an enlarged liver. The mother’s blood pressure may also drop if she has peripartum cardiomyopathy.

A responsible physician runs various tests to find out what is affecting the heart that may include, but not be limited to: a nuclear heart scan, an ECG, chest x-ray, coronary angiography and chest CT scan. Although this is a serious condition, it is reversible with prompt and appropriate treatment with the right range of drugs.

If your doctor neglected to diagnose peripartum cardiomyopathy, birth injury lawyers Chris Mellino and Tom Robenalt welcome you to contact our Cleveland office for a free consultation. You may also download or request Chris’ free, easy-to-read guide to filing a claim in Ohio.

At the same time, not all birth injuries are caused by medical negligence. Some are just part of what can be a difficult birthing process. A Cleveland, Ohio medical malpractice attorney can help determine if it might have been preventable and if the medical care provided was unreasonable.

Using the APGAR Test to Assess a Newborn’s Condition 

The APGAR is a test performed immediately after birth to assess: 

• breathing;
• heart rate;
• muscle tone;
• reflexes; and
• skin color.

Each category gets a 0, 1, or 2. Babies with lower scores may require further testing or monitoring or a medical diagnosis may reveal a mild to serious medical condition requiring treatment.

Assessing the Baby’s Physical Condition to Reach Medical Diagnosis 

An assessment of physical injuries may be one the primary ways to diagnose a birth injury, though in some cases it may not be enough to reach a medical diagnosis on its own; further testing may be required.

For instance, forceps or vacuum extraction might be used if there are difficulties during delivery. Minor bruising or marks may not be a major problem, but swelling may indicate injuries like cephalhematoma, which is bleeding between the skull and the periosteum.

The swelling itself may be a physical indication of the condition which may not require treatment, but some severe cases may lead to jaundice if not treated, so blood tests may be performed to monitor bilirubin levels.

Imaging Technology to Reach a Medical Diagnosis 

Some conditions, such as those pertaining to the brain, may require medical imaging to give the physician an image of the brain. Cerebral palsy, for example, may require imaging techniques such as MRI, CT scans, or ultrasounds. These imaging techniques allow the physician to examine potential areas of damage or development that may indicate cerebral palsy or other conditions.

Assessing Whether Birth Injury is Related to Medical Negligence 

Parents whose child has been diagnosed with a birth injury may consult a Cleveland, Ohio medical malpractice attorney to discuss a suspected case of negligence on behalf of a doctor. A lawyer will examine whether the doctor may have caused the injury itself, contributed to it, or failed to act in a manner that may have prevented complications.

A medical expert may be called upon for help evaluating the standard of care given the particular scenario that may have led to a birth injury. If the doctor is found to have failed to act with a reasonable standard of care, he or she may be considered negligent and the Cleveland, Ohio medical malpractice attorney may help file a claim.

Talking to a Cleveland, Ohio Medical Malpractice Attorney about Filing a Claim 

Some examples in which a doctor may be considered negligent are: 

• delays in treatment;
• failure to anticipate complications/problems;
• not responding to signs of fetal distress; and
• misusing equipment.

Contact the Cleveland, Ohio medical malpractice attorneys at Mellino Robenalt LLC to discuss a potential claim if a medical diagnosis reveals a birth injury you suspect is related to negligence.