Plaintiffs fail to prove duty of care breach in medical negligence case
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the country, with recent data from Australian Bureau of Statistics revealing that nearly 20,000 males and females died from cardiovascular-related diseases in 2017. The following proceedings arose out of the death of a NSW man who suffered a cardiac arrest in 2016. But was […]
Practitioner found guilty of professional and medical misconduct
Medical professionals have a higher duty of care towards those under their responsibility. However, such care is compromised when practitioners are negligent in their duties – which as the below case shows, can occur in a variety of ways. Overview of the case Between 2014 and 2015, while practising at Gunnedah Hospital, the Health Care Complaints Commission […]
Old medical negligence case brought back to life
More than 50 years after the scandal first broke news, the case of Chelmsford Private Hospital and its shocking deep sleep therapy (DST) and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been brought back to life. In recent months, an author who has written a book about the events is being sued for defamation from two of Chelmsford's […]
Disgraced cosmetic surgeon’s licence suspended
Late last year, we reported on the issues surrounding Dr William Mooney. At the time, the celebrity cosmetic surgeon faced restrictions on his practising licence due to various complaints and even patient deaths. However, in recent weeks, the practitioner has had his entire licence completely suspended. Dissecting the work of Dr Mooney From December 2017 […]
Patients call for changes to hernia mesh surgeries
A hernia is a condition where an organ pushes through a weak spot in surrounding muscle or connective tissue. This results in an uncomfortable feeling and, more often than not, a visible bump which usually requires surgery to fix. An estimated 40,000 Australians have hernias surgically repaired every year, making it one of the most […]
(FAQ) What constitutes nursing home negligence in NSW?
When placed in a nursing home or aged care facility, the elderly are dependant on the staff who work there. However, reports of mistreated patients and misconduct within staff are all too common across Australia. Such examples, while appalling, also illustrate that aged care facilities sometimes breach that expected duty of care. This breach provides […]
Court sides with defendant in medical negligence case
In a court of law, it's not overly common for a plaintiff to leave with orders to pay the defendant's costs – after all, they were the one seeking the initial application. However, like the below case demonstrates, this outcome can occur, and often comes with surprising twists. Background of the case The plaintiff alleged […]
Woman awarded $1.6 million in medical negligence appeal
Emily Pierce has had epilepsy since she was six, though her fits didn't get bad until she was about 14. At the age of 19, Pierce was referred to a neurologist in Brisbane, and then in Victoria in order to pursue a surgery that would cure her epilepsy. In order to determine whether or not Pierce was […]
Nurses reprimanded after patient death misconduct
The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal has ruled that two nurses were guilty of professional misconduct in relation to a patient's death in 2013. When a medical practitioner's behaviour falls below the expected standards of the profession, they may be deemed negligent. This can result in significant payouts for damages if their actions lead to […]
Will $3.8m medical negligence payout be 2017’s biggest?
A successful medical negligence claim can result in compensation for a wide range of costs, including hospital bills, past and future lost income, care expenses and necessary home modifications or disability aids. Payouts can therefore be considerable if the patient suffered extreme and permanent injuries or illnesses as a result of treatment. This is especially […]
