Lauren Ellerman

On Wednesday, May 14th, victims of faulty medical devices and dangerous drugs will finally receive a voice in Congress. As you may recall, this past February the Supreme Court held that state tort claims regarding medical devices were preempted if the Food and Drug Administration had granted premarket approval for…

I received a call this week from a very kind, smart lady who was calling on behalf of her Aunt who was the victim of nursing home negligence. The lady told me – “I want to be upfront with you, this happened in 2006.” “When in 2006?” I asked. “May…

If the doctor puts a bad pace maker in your chest, and it causes problems such that you need additional medical care, you have the right to sue the pace maker company for damages, right?Sorry – this is a trick question. The Medical Device Amendments (federal law) prohibits (or preempts)…

New disease outbreaks in China; 15K children infected By HENRY SANDERSONThe Associated Press Wednesday, May 7, 2008; 1:37 AM BEIJING — New outbreaks in China reported Wednesday put the number of children infected with hand, foot and mouth disease above 15,000 and the death toll has risen to at least…

If you have heard a facility does not provide quality care, don’t just let the rumors control your decision, investigate yourself!Here is how:www.medicare.gov – you can look at recent Medicare surveysSend a request for surveys taken by Virginia Department of Health. How? Send a Freedom of Information Act Request, to…

I am not yet at the stage where retirement is on my mind. But, if it is for you, you have a lot of work to do, and YES I mean you young 60 somethings… YUP – LISTEN UP. I know these conversations are not fun, but have them now!1.…

True or False – you have a Right to Healthcare in the United States?Answer, False. It is not a right. You can get turned down, and refused care. Today’s Wall Street Journal writes about a Texas woman who had Leukemia. She went to top Cancer Hospital MD Anderson, where she…

Please don’t watch this if you get upset easily… We hear stories like these, all the time in Virginia. It is not just a problem out WestIf you expect Abuse in Virginia, call your County Dept. of Social Services, ask to speak to Adult Protective Services, call our office, or…

Life Expectancy Drops for Some U.S. Women, according to recent studies as reported in today’s Washington Post. And what does that mean afterall, especially in light of technology, advances in medical care, medicine, and all the news on healthy living? It means something is wrong, and as residents of SW…