Health regulations in Oregon and across the United States have made medical procedures safer than ever before. Regulations require medical staff to do things like properly clean and sterilize medical equipment to prevent infection and the spread of disease. However, these regulations only work if doctors, nurses and other medical personnel follow and obey these rules. Unfortunately, medical negligence can put patients at great risk and negate any goal that was to be achieved with safety regulations.
Recently, several lawsuits were filed against a clinic in another state after patients contracted diseases. In total, 15 lawsuits were filed by plaintiffs that all had cardiac stress tests done at the clinic. According to the lawsuits, the plaintiffs all tested positive for Hepatitis C or Hepatitis B after their visits to the clinic.
The plaintiffs claim that they underwent blood tests after receiving letters notifying them that they may have been exposed to the diseases during their stress tests. Because of the infections, the plaintiffs say they will have to continue treatments and they can possibly be asymptomatic for years. The lawsuits claim that the defendants were negligent by exposing the plaintiffs to the diseases and the defendants should have taken preventative measures to prevent exposure.
One would think that regulations and technological advancements have made health care safer for all patients. However, medical negligence and errors are one of the leading causes of death and injury in Oregon and across the country. Families that have been affected by medical negligence or malpractice could benefit by seeking the services of a knowledgeable attorney. Much-needed financial relief could result from a successfully litigated lawsuit.
Source: wvrecord.com, “15 more lawsuits filed against Raleigh Heart Clinic“, March 23, 2018