Check out the latest edition of our newsletter!
THE GUARDIAN
216-208-5072 TITTLELAWFIRM.COM
OCTOBER 2023
EARLIER IS ALWAYS BETTER What Cancer Treatments and Malpractice Cases Have in Common
more or less forced her to make an appointment. My grandmother did end up having cancer but underwent a mastectomy and thankfully beat the disease. Still, her putting off her initial visit could have resulted in a much different outcome had my mom not forced her.
person has gone in for testing and either the doctor read the results wrong, or they did not order the tests they should have — that could have diagnosed or ruled out cancer — based on the patient’s presented symptoms. Then, several months to a year go by, and the patient’s undiagnosed cancer and presenting symptoms have only worsened. So, they go to a new doctor or revisit the same doctor, who informs them they have cancer.
So, my advice is always to get to a doctor as soon as you see the first sign of cancer
symptoms. And as soon as you turn 40, schedule your first mammogram, especially if the women in your family have a history of the disease. You can also take a genetic test
In the best-case scenario, the patient may have a slow-growing cancer, and that year of delay in their diagnosis only resulted in minor growth. But in the worst-case scenario, the cancer used that year to rapidly grow and possibly spread to other body parts. For these patients, a delay can be deadly.
As men and women worldwide put on their pink ribbons, shirts, and bracelets for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a reminder of the relentless battle many people face against this awful disease. And when it comes to the battle against cancer, timing is incredibly important because the sooner you catch it, diagnose it, and start treating it, the better the odds are of having a positive outcome. Fortunately, breast cancer is a type of cancer that people can self-screen for, which means they don’t always need to wait for their mammograms to know if something is wrong. (If you don’t know how to self-screen for breast cancer, you can learn by visiting NationalBreastCancer.org/breast-self- exam. ) And if something ever seems off during a self-exam, call your doctor as soon as possible. I think with any disease, humans tend to put off making appointments with their doctors, even when they’re suspicious, for fear of learning bad news. In fact, my grandmother did this with her breast cancer. Right before Christmastime, she felt like something was off with her body, but she didn’t want to make an appointment and find out any bad news and ruin the holidays for her family. Eventually, my mom found out and
“WHEN IT COMES TO THE BATTLE AGAINST CANCER, TIMING IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE SOONER YOU CATCH IT, DIAGNOSE IT, AND START TREATMENT, THE BETTER THE ODDS ARE OF HAVING A POSITIVE OUTCOME.”
at any age to confirm whether you have the breast cancer genes,
called BRCA1 and BRCA2. That way, you can begin preventive measures early.
Most of all, when it comes to your health, it’s essential to advocate for yourself. When you feel something is wrong, seek help from a medical professional. BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SEEK HELP AND YOUR DOCTOR DOESN’T CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE YOU? In the world of cancer, every second counts, and any delay in proper diagnosis or treatment can have life-threatening results. When delays in diagnosing someone’s cancer are due to error or negligence, it becomes medical malpractice.
I wish I had advice on how to avoid this type of medical malpractice, but unfortunately, it can happen to anyone. What I will say, though, is that in all circumstances surrounding a cancer diagnosis or misdiagnosis, getting checked earlier is always better. The same goes for seeking help from a medical malpractice attorney after you believe your doctor screwed up. Starting both processes as early as possible will
always give you better odds of a successful outcome.
The types of delayed diagnosis cases we see most often at Tittle & Perlmuter are scenarios where a
1 216-208-5072 | TITTLELAWFIRM.COM
PAIN AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT? A Chiropractor Can Help Ease Your Pain
If you have been in a car accident, or any type of vehicle collision, you may well be experiencing back pain. Sometimes, this starts straight after the accident, but in other cases, you may not start experiencing symptoms until hours, days, or even several weeks later. In fact, it is not at all unusual for injury pain caused by a car crash to be delayed for some time. There are often reports of people who have walked away from the scene of an accident seeming virtually unscathed, but who have needed urgent
However, an experienced chiropractor can help heal the injuries you have sustained. Plus, chiropractors can help prevent any future complications from arising.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE KEY BENEFITS OF RECEIVING CHIROPRACTIC CARE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
medical treatment just a short while later. Often this is due to the adrenaline that will inevitably be rushing around your body, which masks symptoms such as pain.
Reduces the need for medications.
Many people have a natural aversion to taking pain medications and are worried about becoming dependent or addicted to the drugs. There is also the possibility that pain relief can mask the underlying cause, rather than ensuring it is treated. Fortunately, chiropractic care can get to the bottom of what is causing your discomfort and provide effective pain relief without the need for prescription pharmaceuticals. Reduces inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a common side effect of being involved in a car accident. The force on your body can cause lots of micro-tears in the ligaments and muscles. These are impossible to detect by X-ray but are responsible for your feeling stiff and sore the day after your collision. Chiropractic manipulations can help your body release an anti- inflammatory chemical that reduces internal swelling and
There are lots of different injuries that can be sustained during a car accident, and back pain is a likely side effect. There can be a variety of reasons why you suddenly begin to experience back pain after your collision. These include: Whiplash. Whiplash is used to describe back, shoulder, and neck pain that occurs when your head is quickly snapped in one direction, which often happens when you are involved in a sudden impact, or even just when harsh braking is needed.
Herniated or bulging disc. Another common cause of back pain after a car accident is problems with your intervertebral discs. These are the soft, spongy cushions
between the bones of your spine that absorb impacts and enable you to bend and twist. A sudden impact may cause a disc to push out of its usual position. This can trigger intense pain and limit mobility. Alternatively, the disc may become damaged and rupture, causing the gel inside to leak out and irritate the surrounding nerves. Muscle, ligament, and nerve pain. Your back and neck contain an array of muscles, ligaments, and nerves. If any of these become damaged during a car accident, it may cause you to experience varying degrees of pain. Bone fractures and facet joint injuries. Bone fractures can occur as a result of a sudden impact. Facet joints are the bony protrusions in the spinal column that prevent over-twisting or over-extension of the spine. These too can become damaged in the course of a vehicle collision. HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC CARE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT HELP? Visiting a chiropractor may not be your first consideration when it comes to getting help for your back pain after a car accident.
pain and promotes healing.
Restores mobility. Inflammation and pain are the main causes of loss of mobility in your back and neck after a car accident. Unfortunately, this can mean that you find it difficult to move around normally, and it may be impossible for you to participate in some activities. Your chiropractor will be able to reduce inflammation and speed up the healing process, which will enable you to regain mobility much sooner. Prevents further back pain. The development of scar tissue can cause stiffness and discomfort that leads to chronic back pain. Chiropractors can focus on areas of healing so that scar tissue is minimal. They can also manage your care to help reduce the risk of further back problems developing in the future.
Article written by Dr. Ty Dahodwala. He is the CEO and Clinic Director at Allied Health and Chiropractic, LLC in Cleveland, Ohio.
2 216-208-5072 | TITTLELAWFIRM.COM
TAKE A BREAK
STAND STRONG TOGETHER How to Support Loved Ones Battling Breast Cancer Around 240,000 women and 2,100 men in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. When looking at the survival rate for breast cancer, doctors can use various statistics to evaluate a person’s chances of recovering. According to one statistic, 91% of breast cancer patients will be alive in five years, and 85% will be alive in 10 years. Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is heartbreaking — hundreds of “what if” questions are racing through your mind as you and your family try to determine what to do next and wrap your head around this diagnosis. For those with loved ones battling breast cancer, you may have asked yourself what you can do and how to help them during this difficult time. You can assist and support your loved ones in several ways. Because breast cancer can cause the person to become fatigued, visiting them and helping them with daily tasks around their home and preparing meals for them is a huge help. You can also create an online calendar to organize meal and grocery deliveries, rides, appointments, and other tasks to assist during treatment.
CANDY COSTUME GOURDS HALLOWEEN
HAUNTED MOON RAVEN TRICKS
VAMPIRE WEREWOLF WITCH ZOMBIE
BEET SALAD
Another way you can help them is by bringing family, friends, and coworkers together to help support and care for them. Being around the ones you love can provide comfort and a sense they’re not alone during their struggles. When your loved ones
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Known for their earthy yet sweet flavor, beets are the perfect main ingredient for a delicious fall salad.
INGREDIENTS
•
5–6 medium beets
•
1/2 tsp honey
•
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
•
1/2 tsp salt
•
2 tbsp sherry or white-wine vinegar
•
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
•
1 large shallot, finely chopped
feel they have a support system behind them, it can make a world of difference. The app CaringBridge is a great resource because it allows friends and family to stay connected and leave messages of hope and encouragement to the person battling breast cancer. Most importantly, the best way to help someone diagnosed with breast cancer is to be a sounding board — let them vent to you and share concerns. Let them know you’re available to them at any time. But it’s also essential to be yourself and spend quality time together like you normally would. Tittle & Perlmuter cares about you and your needs. Our hearts go out to those suffering from breast cancer and those who have lost loved ones to this disease. If there is any way we can assist you during this time, please don’t hesitate to call us.
•
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
•
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Separate beets between 2 pieces of foil; bring edges together and crimp to make packets. Roast until beets are just tender when pierced with a knife, about 1 1/4 hours. Unwrap beets and let cool. 2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper to make dressing. 3. When beets are cool enough to handle, peel off skins. Cut into 1/2- inch cubes and place in a large bowl. Add celery, shallot, and dressing, then toss to coat well. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
3
216-208-5072 | TITTLELAWFIRM.COM
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
4106 BRIDGE AVE. CLEVELAND, OHIO 44113 216-208-5072 TITTLELAWFIRM.COM
Check us out!
INSIDE
1. Cancer Doesn’t Wait, and Neither Should You
2. Chiropractic Care Suited to Car Accident Injuries
3. 3 Ways to Support Those With Breast Cancer
Beet Salad
4. The Truth About Whether or Not Doctors Can Alter Electronic Records
‘CAN MY DOCTOR CHANGE MY ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORDS TO HIDE MALPRACTICE?’
One of the most common questions we get from our medical malpractice clients is, “Can my doctor go back and change my electronic medical records to make it look like they didn’t do anything wrong?” For example, in a delayed cancer diagnosis case, clients may wonder if the doctor can go back and make it look like they ordered additional testing or delete or change the symptoms the patient reported.
When we file medical malpractice lawsuits, this is one of the very first things we request from the defendant. Sometimes, we have to get the court involved to order them to hand over this background metadata, but we always fight for our clients’ rights to their full medical records, including the audit trail. So, although it is true that doctors could try to go back and edit medical records after the fact, when you have an experienced medical malpractice lawyer on your side, they can fight to get the data that will show if anything like that happened in your case. If you, or someone you know, suspects they may be victims of medical malpractice or their doctor has wrongfully changed something in their electronic chart to potentially hide their malpractice, please call our team. You can always reach us at 216-208-5072 .
The short answer is: Yes, doctors can make edits to electronic charts.
But luckily, there is something called an audit trail or audit log. Essentially, the computer system logs any time anyone views, accesses, edits, or takes any action within an electronic medical record. It tracks the time someone went in, who went in, how long they spent in the record, and what they did.
4 216-208-5072 | TITTLELAWFIRM.COM
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator