Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD - Medical Justice

Hey Doc, Can You Get Me Some Botox?

August 15, 2024June 10, 2011 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Michael J. Sacopulos, Esq.

Last week my wife was approached by a woman that does microderm treatments and other facial services. “Would you serve as my doctor for getting Botox? I can give the injections. I just need you to get the Botox for me. It will be fun!” exclaimed the woman. My wife, an optometrist, declined and tried to point out the dangers associated with injecting a neurotoxin into someones head. Undaunted, the woman stated, “No problem. Someone will get me the Botox. I have three treatments already scheduled for Friday.”

I fear that this was not a unique situation.

Caps on Pain and Suffering: On the Defensive Across the US.

August 15, 2024June 3, 2011 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Jeff Segal, MD, JD, FACS

Some phenomena oscillate in cycles – the economy, hem lengths, the political party in office. And attacks on hard-fought tort reforms.

Last year, Georgia and Illinois saw their caps on pain and suffering ruled unconstitutional. Caps help keep professional liability premiums within “more” reasonable ranges. Once premiums start rising, doctors head for the borders.

The field is busy this year with pending attacks on constitutionality (and other legal foundations) in a number of other states. As reported in AmedNews, the lineup is a follows.

Dr. Mark Weinberger: A Rotten Apple

August 15, 2024May 19, 2011 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Jeff Segal, MD, JD, FACS

It’s an easy call. Dr. Mark Weinberger is a rotten apple. More than 300 medical malpractice cases have been filed against him. Most haven’t even gotten started. In the first case to pop through, the estate of Phyllis Barnes vs. Weinberger, the jury delivered a $13 million verdict for the plaintiff.

Maybe Dr. Weinberger doesn’t care. He’s in prison. And his professional liability carrier is working overtime to distance themselves from having to provide legal defense.

A little background.

Troubles in Kansas

August 15, 2024May 18, 2011 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Michael J. Sacopulos, Esq.

On May 4, 2011, the United States District Court in Kansas allowed a plaintiff to insert an administrative negligence claim against a hospital administrator. The claim arises out of alleged permanent injuries to the newborn child of Sandra and Edwin Deya. The Deyas claim that a hospital administrator failed to create, develop, and refine policies and protocols for newborn care at Hiawatha Community Hospital. The Deyas went on to argue that the absence of appropriate policies and protocols contributed to the injuries suffered by their newborn child.

Hiawatha Community Hospital moved to dismiss this claim based on the fact that there was no physician patient relationship between the hospital administrator, Dr. Rosa, and the Deyas’ child. The defense cited the Kansas Supreme Court’s position that absent a physician patient relationship there can be no liability for medical malpractice.

How We Do It

August 15, 2024May 11, 2011 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Medical Justice is sensitive to the fact there are legitimate claims by patients who have been harmed by negligent care. But the fact remains that the majority of medical malpractice cases are ultimately deemed without merit. We harness the principles of medicine, law, and business to defeat dishonest plaintiffs, unethical medical malpractice attorneys, and unscrupulous expert witnesses.

Medical Justice Members are licensed to use Medical Justice’s intellectual property; deterring meritless legal actions, creating a critical practice infrastructure to strengthen the future use of legal remedies should a frivolous suit be pursued.

A Bad Day for Allergan

August 15, 2024May 5, 2011 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Michael J. Sacopulos, Esq.

A federal jury on Thursday awarded 67-year old Douglas Ray Jr. of Fredericksburg, VA a $212 million verdict. This award included $200 million in punitive damages against Allergan. Ray Jr. claimed injections of the wrinkle-smoothing drug Botox to treat hand tremors and writer’s cramp left him brain-damaged and disabled.

Douglas’s wife said that her husband of 43 years requires around-the-clock care. She has in-home nursing help four hours a day, four days a week. Douglas’s wife also said she is grateful for doctors who testified for her husband.

A company spokesperson for Allergan who manufactured the Botox said the verdict “is inconsistent with the credible scientific and medical evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of Botox,” which she said has been used for two decades to treat 21 separate medical conditions.

Study Confirms Hungover Surgeons Make More Mistakes

August 15, 2024May 4, 2011 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Jeff Segal, MD, JD, FACS

The April edition of Archives of Surgery confirms the answer to a nagging scientific question. Can hungover surgeons perform adroitly? I had guessed that a metaphorical ice-pick in the temple would have an impact. Now we know the answer. It matters.

The study was performed in Ireland – focusing on minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. The test involved a surgical simulator the day after drinking (or for the control group – day after abstinence).

The experimental group was allowed to drink as much as they wanted. The only rule: each participant needed to show up to a group dinner with at least one investigator to “determine intoxication levels.” I suspect this was a subjective interpretation.

“Film” Stars Privacy Breached

August 15, 2024April 26, 2011 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Michael J. Sacopulos, Esq.

Recently, we read of the release of approximately 15,000 individual’s (read more Fox News) private health information. These individuals happened to be involved in the “adult entertainment” industry.

Always one for public health, the adult film industry utilizes the “Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation” listing of performers current test results. The idea is that a film producer could

+ More