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California Medical Malpractice Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Contracts for California on
Q: What can we do about frivolous medical bill? (more info below)

My sister, who was 17 at the time, went to the store with my mother and while at the store my sister suffered a panic attack. Down the street from the store, there was an ambulance station. My mother took my sister to the ambulance station and asked if they could quickly check my sisters heart... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 24, 2023

Under California law, medical providers may not charge for services that were not authorized or requested by the patient or their legal guardian. If your sister did not give any information or consent for the ambulance station to perform services, and they did not inform her that there would be a... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice for California on
Q: What can I do about because the nurses should be more careful

When my baby was born the nurses while they weight her and cleaning her they injured her. fracture her clavicle arm bone

Eliza Jasinska
Eliza Jasinska
answered on Mar 21, 2023

Please talk to a medical malpractice attorney. Although not all errors and omissions will add up to medical malpractice, an attorney should evaluate all facts of your potential claim for merit.

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for California on
Q: I was diagnosed with non hodgkins lymphoma stage 3B in 1998. I was 28 years old. the doctor did a lymph node biopsy.

She told me that due to the size of my lymph nodes and it being stage 3B she wanted to start chemo ASAP because stage 4 is in my bone marrow and could be untreatable. She didnt think we should wait for the biopsy results. I was young and scared and said ok. We did 12 cycles of chemo. About 18... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 18, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Based on what you've described, it sounds like you may have a potential medical malpractice claim against your original doctor for misdiagnosis and providing unnecessary treatment.

To determine if you have a case, you would need to consult...
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1 Answer | Asked in Arbitration / Mediation Law, Legal Malpractice and Medical Malpractice for California on
Q: What should i do?

I hired a medical negligence attorney for arbitration 2 years ago. its 2023 the mediation was for February /28/2023

I turnedC in all the documents medical bills ect. now the attorney is acting clueless. to the nest steps of the final judgement (quote) '' i don't know when... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 16, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It sounds like you have concerns about your attorney's handling of your case and the status of your settlement.

If you feel that your attorney is being dishonest or not communicating effectively with you, you may want to consider taking...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: What area of Law would I want to sue under if I was in police custody with ulcers on both feet and the ER never cleaned.

I was required to obtain medical clearance and was then transported to the ER with open ulcers on both feet. However, the doctor seemed to downplay my injuries and stated it was merely athletes foot, seemingly in an effort to quickly discharge me. My wounds were not cleaned or bandaged, and I had... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 16, 2023

It sounds like you may have a potential claim for medical malpractice or negligence. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider's conduct falls below the standard of care expected of a reasonably prudent healthcare provider in similar circumstances and results in harm to the... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice for California on
Q: I went to the ER for congested heart failure and they gave me a covid shot without my permission or consent
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 13, 2023

In California, as in most states, medical providers are required to obtain informed consent from patients before administering medical treatment, including vaccinations. If you did not give your consent for the COVID-19 vaccine and it was administered to you without your knowledge or authorization,... Read more »

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3 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for California on
Q: Can I sue a doctor for misdiagnosing me and prescribing uneeded medication that are known to be ototoxic?

I went to see a doctor because I couldn’t sleep due to my neighbors and wanted some sleeping pills. I told him my head was buzzing with fatigue. He told me that my head buzzing was due to an infection, and barely looked at me, and without doing any further due diligence prescribed medications... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 12, 2023

It may be possible to sue the doctor for medical malpractice if you believe that they were negligent in their diagnosis and treatment, and that this negligence caused you harm. Medical malpractice lawsuits are typically complex and require a thorough investigation of the facts and medical records,... Read more »

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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: I was diagnosed with otosyphillis & the doctor told me there was no treatment, then i find out there was, but too late.

December of 2021 I was diagnosed with syphilis by Kaiser and got 3 IM penicillin shots. My ear started ringing a few weeks later. I went back to kaiser & my primary care doctor said it could be because of the syphilis, but I did not receive any treatment. In early April 2022 I saw a head &... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 10, 2023

If you believe that your doctor's failure to provide appropriate treatment for your otosyphilis resulted in permanent nerve damage and tinnitus, you may have a case for medical malpractice.

To pursue a medical malpractice claim, you will need to consult with an attorney who specializes...
Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: I have a medical malpractice case, can someone help me out with some questions about taking Kaiser to small claims?

I've reached out to other lawyer's but haven't got someone to take on my case. Is it feasible for me to take Kaiser to small claims court to get the maximum allowed at least?

Adam Stoddard
Adam Stoddard
answered on Mar 10, 2023

If other lawyers you have spoken to are not interested in taking your case, maybe the problem is you do not have a good case. You should continue to reach out to medical malpractice plaintiff attorneys to see if they would be interested; however, if they are all turning down your case, they... Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Where do I find the lawyer to take this case?

Cedars Sinai and UCLA have marginalized my injury, treated me terribly, not given me proper evaluations or imaging even though I was very specific on what had happened. I have medical notes and records showing I had told them I had abdominal wall trauma. It shows they ignored my concerns and gave... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Finding the right lawyer for a medical malpractice case can be challenging, but there are resources available to help you.

Here are a few steps you can take to find a lawyer:

Referrals: You can ask friends, family members, or healthcare...
Read more »

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3 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Health Care Law for California on
Q: Have been charged 600 dollars for a ENT video consultation which had no diagnosis.
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2023

Under California law, healthcare providers must provide reasonable and necessary medical care to their patients, and the charges for such care must be reasonable and customary. If you were charged $600 for an ENT video consultation that did not result in a diagnosis or treatment, you may have... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Military Law for California on
Q: I am wondering the chances of military malpractice with an allergic reaction by continued meds intake per doc directions

In summary:

I am active duty military. After having knee surgery I became allergic to dermabond and then the antibiotics given to me by the military doctors. After multiple military ER visits my face began to swell shut literally by the minute and I was told to keep taking the medication... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 4, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. It is difficult to say with certainty what the chances of military malpractice are without knowing all the details of your case. However, if you feel that you have been a victim of medical malpractice, you may have legal options available to you.... Read more »

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice for California on
Q: Is my doctor negligible?

I paid $ 20k a year ago for 3 dental implants. I still do not have them. a) My insurance declined his x-rays; b) To re-do them I had to wait 2 months because my dentist had lent his machine to someone out of the country; c) when I finally went in for the x-rays the dentist spent 2 hours with no... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 3, 2023

Whether or not your dentist is negligent depends on a number of factors and would require a careful evaluation of the specific circumstances of your case. Here are a few considerations that may be relevant:

Standard of care: Dentists, like other medical professionals, are generally held to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Is pursuing a medical malpractice case worth my time and effort or should I just leave it at complaints and grievances?

Kaiser did not screen for cancer in a patient for months despite clear signs and patient history indicating an elevated risk of cancer. After months of neglect and misdiagnosis the patient was hospitalized on 05-31-2022. During this hospitalization they missed stage IV cancer and discharged the... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 28, 2023

I am sorry to hear about the loss of your parent and the difficult situation you are facing. Pursuing a medical malpractice case can be a complex and challenging process, and it is ultimately up to you to decide whether it is worth your time and effort.

If you believe that your...
Read more »

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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Is pursuing a medical malpractice case worth my time and effort or should I just leave it at complaints and grievances?

Kaiser did not screen for cancer in a patient for months despite clear signs and patient history indicating an elevated risk of cancer. After months of neglect and misdiagnosis the patient was hospitalized on 05-31-2022. During this hospitalization they missed stage IV cancer and discharged the... Read more »

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Feb 28, 2023

While such cases can be very difficult, and you may have to speak to many attorneys, it is worth exploring.

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1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: What legal issues are involved with doctor ordering PET scan for reason I was not informed of and did not consent to?

In early January I requested a PET scan from my neurologist for symptoms of gait and speech disorder. The neurologist agreed but said the PET scan would be "normal" and specifically I "do not have dementia." I was never informed why PET scan was actually done--to distinguish... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith PRO label
answered on Feb 25, 2023

There may be several legal issues involved in a situation where a doctor orders a PET scan for a reason that the patient was not informed of and did not consent to. Here are a few potential legal issues to consider:

Informed Consent: In California, doctors are generally required to obtain...
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2 Answers | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Pro Se representation, personal injury

personal injury case. I have an extensive work already done - depositions taken, witnesses asked), an expert hired, medical seen, but haven't done it with the defense lawyer's side on their end. Can I still represent myself with these court procedings instead of going out and hiring an... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith PRO label
answered on Feb 21, 2023

While it is possible to represent yourself in a personal injury case, it can be a challenging and complex process. Given the extent of work you have already done, including the hiring of an expert and taking depositions, it is possible that you may be able to continue to represent yourself.... Read more »

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1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Can a veterinarian technician be used as an expert witness in a veterinary malpractice case?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 20, 2023

In California, a veterinary technician may be used as an expert witness in a veterinary malpractice case, as long as they meet the qualifications to be an expert witness. To qualify as an expert witness, a veterinary technician must have sufficient knowledge, skill, experience, training, or... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Surgical procedure to plantar fascia was done incorrectly, doctor neglected, and ignored complaints and then walkd away.

Doctor performed plantar fascia release and heel spur removal, after 1yr of remaining in walking boot, and complaining of new pain, he gave up on me. I had to find another doctor and was told by new doctor that the other doctor cut too low from area of the chief complaint is and into the area... Read more »

James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith PRO label
answered on Feb 20, 2023

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. If you believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice, you may wish to consult with a personal injury attorney who specializes in medical malpractice cases. They can review the details of your case and advise you on the best course of action.... Read more »

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for California on
Q: I AM LOOKING FOR A LAWYER WHO CAN HELP WITH A MALPRACTICE CASE. I NEED ONE THAT GETS PAID IF CASE IS WON .
James L. Arrasmith
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James L. Arrasmith PRO label
answered on Feb 20, 2023

There are many lawyers in California who work on a contingency fee basis for malpractice cases, meaning they only get paid if the case is won. You can start by searching for malpractice lawyers in your area and then contacting them to see if they work on contingency fee basis. You can also consult... Read more »

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