McKeen & Associates

How to protect yourself against medical identity theft

On behalf of McKeen & Associates, PC posted in Electronic Medical Records on Monday, June 29, 2020.

Medical identity theft - or the use of a person's identifying information to obtain medical treatments, services or goods - is a growing concern in the United States. In 2018 alone, more than a quarter of all reported identity theft cases were related to medical and insurance identity fraud.

Medical identity theft has the potential to be even more damaging than traditional identity theft. Thieves can use your sensitive information to rack up tens of thousands of dollars in costly medical services and damages. Fortunately, you can take steps to ensure you do not put your data at risk of falling into the wrong hands.

It pays to check on your doctor before they check on you

On behalf of McKeen & Associates, PC posted in Medical Malpractice on Thursday, June 18, 2020.

Your doctor may be licensed and board-certified, but that doesn’t always tell the whole story. A spotless record may look nice, but scratching the surface could reveal all kinds of dirt.

A recent investigation found that hundreds of physicians who surrendered their medical licenses were still practicing in another state, often without any public disclosure. While surrendering a license to avoid sanctions may not impact a doctor’s ability to practice in a new location, it can be one of many red flags that can indicate you should stay clear.

Holding Harbor Oaks Accountable

On behalf of McKeen & Associates, PC on Wednesday, June 17, 2020.

When a person needs medical attention, they are at their most vulnerable and deserve the highest level of compassion and care. Psychiatric patients, especially minors, are particularly fragile and should be a given that extra attention and supervision. Precautions must be in place to protect these patients when entrusted to the care of medical professionals.

Recovering from tragedy following a farm accident

On behalf of McKeen & Associates, PC posted in blog on Friday, June 12, 2020.

Silos are a common fixture in farms across the country. Most of us know them to be a practical way to store grain through the seasons. Some of us even view them as a thing of beauty. But many of us aren't aware of the hidden dangers buried in a silo.

Silo accidents are all too common. If a silo's contents are not properly secured, they can dislodge and create a veritable avalanche effect - burying anyone in its path. When such accidents occur, death is almost unavoidable. It takes just eight seconds for a victim to suffocate in such conditions.

How might a birth injury impact the entire family?

On behalf of McKeen & Associates, PC on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

A woman in labor counts on her medical team to keep her and her baby safe throughout labor and delivery. One thing that can happen in some cases is that the baby doesn't get sufficient oxygen during the process. This can lead to serious issues when the baby is born, so doctors, nurses, midwifes and other professionals should ensure that they're paying close attention to how the baby's responding during the birth process.

Unfortunately, not all cases of oxygen deprivation are addressed immediately. This can lead to long-term issues for the baby. In some cases, it can cause brain damage, cerebral palsy or even death. When the baby suffers from severe impacts, the entire family will have to make some adjustments to accommodate the needs of the baby.

Do you have a medical malpractice case?

On behalf of McKeen & Associates, PC posted in Medical Malpractice on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

Medical malpractice cases are often difficult to take to court. It can be tricky to complete discovery and gather enough information to form a case against a medical professional.

In some cases, you may think that you have a medical malpractice issue when actually, your situation does not meet the legal definition of malpractice. In other cases, you may have suffered due to a doctor’s negligence, but you may have insufficient evidence to prove this.

McKeen Attorneys Successfully Argue to Keep ER Physician and Nurses on Case

On behalf of McKeen & Associates, PC on Friday, May 22, 2020.

On May 13, McKeen and Associates attorney, J Kelly Carley, successfully argued against an attempt by Sparrow Hospital to have its emergency room physician and nurses dismissed from a pending lawsuit.

The case, filed by McKeen Law Firm in Ingham County, alleges that emergency room personnel at Sparrow Hospital failed to timely diagnose and treat a urinary tract infection, which was exacerbated by a kidney stone. The client, a 36-year-old mother of three, was discharged from the ER without proper treatment. As a result, her infection worsened and she developed septic shock. In an effort to save her life, physicians had to amputate both legs at the knee and the fingers on each hand. The young woman survived, but now must deal with her catastrophic injuries.

McKeen Attorneys Successfully Argue to Keep ER Physician and Nurses on Case

By Steven Hurbis of McKeen & Associates, PC posted in Medical Malpractice on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

On May 13, McKeen and Associates attorney, J Kelly Carley, successfully argued against an attempt by Sparrow Hospital to have its emergency room physician and nurses dismissed from a pending lawsuit.

Should businesses be immune to lawsuits during a pandemic? Voters say no.

On behalf of McKeen & Associates, PC posted in Infectious Disease on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.

As the world is responding to the daily challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government faces critical decisions that weigh public health against economic resilience. Congress is currently battling with the question of whether to grant companies immunity from lawsuits related to the contraction of the virus.

What this proposed legislation would mean, in practical terms, is that any business would be immune from legal repercussions if any of their workers or consumers contracted the virus. This protection would apply even if the business engaged in unsafe practices that put people's health at risk.

Raising a child with cerebral palsy

On behalf of McKeen & Associates, PC posted in Birth Injuries on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.

If your child has recently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed. You probably have many questions running through your mind – and may be wondering how to successfully parent your child with this condition.

Raising a child with cerebral palsy can be challenging and rewarding. You may find yourself facing unique situations that require patience, flexibility and compassion. Take a deep breath. There are steps you can take to prepare for this journey: