Dore Deutscher, PLLC

Defining Lawyer Speak: what is NEGLIGENCE?

dd_iris — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:53:46 +0000

Lawyers can often use words that are unfamiliar to our every day life. Additionally, a lot of these words can be packed with a lot of legal meaning that can be hard to grasp. In this portion of the blog I will attempt to give some short and easy definitions to words that lawyers commonly use.

Negligence: A failure to act reasonably in a situation. Doing something carelessly or failing to do something; i.e. driving without your headlights on.

Non-economic injury caps are ineffective

dd_iris — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:40:06 +0000

Many states have attempted to cap non-economic injuries in medical negligence cases in an attempt to lower healthcare costs. Public Citizen, a not-for-profit watchdog group, has challenged this conclusion in a new report. It turns out, non-economic damage caps don’t lower healthcare costs at all. The two groups benefitting the most from caps seem to be medical malpractice insurance comapnies and clinicians. Read the entire article here.

Judge absolves the FBI of Ferrari Joyriding

dd_iris — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:33:36 +0000

Read this interesting article of judge and government politics here. And rember, when filing a claim agains the government it is best to have representation who thoroughly understands the federal processes. Our attorneys at Dore Deutscher have just that experience and are steadfast litigators.

Your Medical Information and New Technology

dd_iris — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:48:22 +0000

Most hospitals are currently figuring out how to use new technology to make the care they offer more efficient and of higher quality. The favored device of many hospitals is the iPad, a tiny notebook computer. There was a rumor that was circulated that calls on FaceTime (video chat application) were not encrypted (this could potentially mean that the information you told your doctor was not safe). Apple has responded to this rumor, and the good news is that your video chat with your doctor is confidential (read a blog post discussing this here).

Federal Tort Claim Act barrs Plaintiffs

dd_iris — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:00:29 +0000

The Federal Court system can be brutal to Plaintiffs. The entire system can be argued to be set up to bar potential Plaintiffs from being a claim in the first place. The article (found here) explains how a marine who was eloctrocuted while installing a wiring box in Iraq cannot bring their suit because of preemption. This makes the necessity for qualifed, trusted, and experienced lawyers for your Federal Tort Claim Act. Our attorneys have years of experience bringing these cases and can be the trusted attorney that you need.

Bad doctors not disclosing settlements for medical negligence.

dd_iris — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:24:00 +0000

Doctors often try to hide proven negligence shown through court cases in various ways. Now the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee is pushing the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to reopen public access to information on malpractice settlements and discipline taken against poor performing doctors.

See the whole article here.

When does a doctor become a criminal?

dd_iris — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 16:00:06 +0000

Michael Jackson was an amazing artist who, like many, was troubled. He trusted his doctor, like many. In the highly publicized trial, Michael Jackson’s physicians faces criminal charges. This case turns, like all medical malpractice claims, on the standard of care that a physican owes each one of his patients. The standard of care breach can become criminal if it is grossly negligent and harms the patient. You can read more about how the Jackson trial is being pursued criminally here.

The Paralegal and the Attorney

dd_iris — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:37:42 +0000

Here at Dore Duetscher, our office works as a team. Often when you file a case, you will hear more from a paralegal than an attorney. A paralegal may call you to give you periodic updates on your case or ask for needed information to move your case forward. I wanted to explain to my readers and clients why that is done.

The attorney and paralegal assigned to your case are a team and regularly discuss the status and direction of your case. An attorney has many responsibilities that may take them out of the office. Some of these responsibilities include: conferring with doctors, arguing motions in court, being in trial on another case, or negotiating with insurance companies. Oftentimes, the paralegal is more accessible to address any questions that you may have in your case. The paralegal can also assist you in most matters. If you need information that a paralegal cannot answer, she will seek guidance from the attorney. She may be the one that calls you back to answer your question or she might be the one that sets up a phone or in person interview with your paralegal and attorney team.

Can I Afford an Attorney?

dd_iris — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:20:20 +0000

Attorneys have a reputation for being very expensive. However, the attorneys here at Dore Deutscher Law Group, are here to serve you. We understand that most people cannot afford to pay a large amount of money to hire an attorney at some crazy hourly rate, especially if you are facing very expensive medical bills already. We take clients based on a system called the “contigency fee.” The “contingency fee” allows you to hire an attorney and pay them at the end of the case based on a percentage of the total recovery. The other financial component is of hiring an attorney is costs of the case. Costs of the case is money that must be spent to develop evidence to prove your case. Evidence can include medical and employment records, police or other incident reports, etc. We are committed at Dore Deutscher to put together a thorough, careful, and efficient case. This includes trying to keep costs down in each and every case. When you need an attorney, you want experienced attorneys and steadfast litigators on your side. The contingency fee system allows for you to hire the very best.

Veterans having to fight for healthcare

dd_iris — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 16:02:40 +0000

This summer one of our clients was in my office. She served our country in the United States Army. A soldier. However, on this particular day she felt helpless.

All she wanted was for the Veteran Hospital to approve a test that had been ordered. Without communication or redress, they were refusing. I felt her frustration. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a whole lot I could do for her even as her attorney. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to storm in. Demand tests be done. Tout her service to our country. Argue for her right to treatment as a veteran. The beauracy there is so deep, the best advice I had for our client on this particular day was to write a letter to her congressman.

Is this the best healthcare that we can provide for our veterans? I certainly hope not. Our veterans deserve the best. At our law firm, we are willing to fight for veterans. Goodness knows, they’ve been fighting for us.