October 23, 2010 (Press-News.org) After being fired and prosecuted for anonymously alleging improper medical treatment by a doctor to the state medical board, two Texas nurses agreed to settle a lawsuit against their former employer for $750,000.
Nurses Anne Mitchell and Vickilyn Galle began expressing concern about Dr. Rolando G. Arafiles, Jr. to their supervisors in 2008. After their concerns were ignored, nurses Mitchell and Galle filed an anonymous complaint with the Texas Medical Board alleging Dr. Arafiles had:
- Failed to diagnose a case of appendicitis
- Conducted a skin graft in the emergency room without surgical privileges
- Used an olive oil solution to treat a highly resistant bacterial infection
- Sutured a rubber scissor tip to a patient's finger
After the charges against Dr. Arafiles came to light, local authorities used the charges to identify the two nurses and charge them with felony-level misuse of official information. Both nurses were subsequently fired from the hospital under the claim that they had "violated patient privacy" by reporting the claims to the state medical board.
In February, nurse Mitchell was acquitted of the charges against her, and those against nurse Galle were dropped.
Nurses Mitchell and Galle were supported by state and national nursing associations. The nursing associations were concerned that fallout from the case may have a chilling effect on the reporting of misconduct by doctors and other medical professionals.
Following a successful resolution to the criminal charges against them, nurses Mitchell and Galle filed a federal lawsuit alleging vindictive prosecution and a denial of their First Amendment rights. After being fined $15,850 by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Texas Medical Board's charging Dr. Arafiles with several violations, the hospital (one of the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit) choose to settle their portion of the suit rather than risk a trial.
The efforts of these nurses to protect their patients from negligent medical care was nothing short of heroic. If you believe you have been the victim of negligent medical care, call and speak with an experienced attorney.
Article provided by Richards & Richards, L.L.P.
Visit us at www.r-klaw.com
Nurses Agree to Settlement in Whistleblower Lawsuit
After being fired and prosecuted for anonymously alleging improper medical treatment by a doctor to the state medical board, two Texas nurses agreed to settle a lawsuit against their former employer.
2010-10-23
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Consumer Bankruptcy: Understand the Law and Choose the Right Attorney
2010-10-23
The 2005 changes to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code were designed to make it more difficult for Americans to file for bankruptcy. Specifically, the changes were intended in part to push more individuals away from Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and toward Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
The 2005 changes, however, seem to be no match for the current economic realities facing many Americans. Nor have the changes in the law substantially altered an individual's ability to file for bankruptcy protection.
In passing the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 (BAPCPA), Congress ...
Lloydspharmacy Reports Young Brits Blood Pressure Rising
2010-10-23
Lloydspharmacy has announced the publication of a new study that reveals 35 per cent of 16-34 year olds had high blood pressure readings.
The study, which involved 8568 people over the age of 16, showed that only one in four had an ideal or normal blood pressure reading. Alarmingly, four per cent of those under the age of 34 had readings which showed severe or very severe hypertension.
The average blood pressure for the UK gives cause for concern, with a reading of 140/86, pushing the country into the hypertensive category. Across the UK various pressure points were ...
National Trust Launches Online Guide to Autumn
2010-10-23
The National Trust has put together a new online guide detailing the best places to enjoy and celebrate autumn, the season of mellow fruitfulness and one of the most dramatic of the four seasons.
The new guide, called Awesome Autumn, includes information on everything to do with the season, from where to spot elusive red squirrels to tips on the best places to see autumn leaves and capture the rich gold, orange and red shades on camera. It is available on the National Trust's website. National Trust wardens, rangers and gardeners will be providing regular updates and ...
Experian Advises Keeping Friends Close But Fraudsters Closer
2010-10-23
Experian, the global information services company, has revealed that family frequently comes under suspicion in cases of fraud and that one in three victims claim to know the identity of their fraudster. Those with the easiest access to personal details are amongst the most likely to be accused in cases of identity fraud.
More than 5,000 identity fraud victims sought help from Experian in reclaiming their identities in 2009. Experian's analysis shows that one in three fraud victims (31%) claimed to know who hijacked their identity and of those, over two thirds (69%) ...
PersonalizedStorytimeBook.com to Donate Children's Books to Sparrowbush Fire Department
2010-10-23
On October 24, 2010, those attending the Sparrowbush Fire Department's penny social may win a truly unique prize. PersonalizedStoryTimeBook.com will be donating personalized children's books to Sparrowbush Fire Department's penny social event to help them reach their fund-raising goal.
"When Danielle Glynn approached us to see if we were interested in donating, without hesitation, we offered to help the local fire house to meet its goal," said Kevin Andersen, owner of www.PersonalizedStorytimeBook.com. "We're more than pleased to help Daniel and the fire house in their ...
DePuy Hip Recall Likely to Spur 1000s of DePuy Hip Lawsuits
2010-10-23
The recent DePuy hip recall has already spurred hundreds of DePuy hip lawsuits alleging that the manufacturer made a defective product and knew about heavy metal toxicity issues, but waited far too long to institute a recall. As a result, thousands of product liability lawsuits are expected to be filed against DePuy Orthopedics and its parent company Johnson & Johnson (J&J).
DePuy ASR Hip Replacement Systems Are Defective
The August 2010 DePuy hip recall of its ASR Hip Resurfacing System and ASR XL Acetabular System has caused countless numbers of injuries to the ...
Rug Pad Corner Superior Felt Rug Pad Rated Safest for Hardwood Floors
2010-10-23
Rug Pad Corner knows people want the best protection for their hardwood floors. Superior rug pad is a 100% recycled felt rug pad that has been rated as safest rug pad for use under rugs on hardwood floors. Since Superior rug pad does not contain any chemicals, latex, glues or adhesives, it is completely safe for hardwood floors of all finishes.
"We are always concerned about our rug pads protecting rugs and floors," states Luis, managing member of Rug Pad Corner. "Customers call with bad experiences with their current rug pad sticking to their hardwood floor. They want ...
Berkeley Lab scientists open electrical link to living cells
2010-10-22
The Terminator. The Borg. The Six Million Dollar Man. Science fiction is ripe with biological beings armed with artificial capabilities. In reality, however, the clunky connections between living and non-living worlds often lack a clear channel for communication. Now, scientists with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have designed an electrical link to living cells engineered to shuttle electrons across a cell's membrane to an external acceptor along a well-defined path. This direct channel could yield cells that can read and respond to electronic ...
12 new epilepsy drugs usher in 'era of abundance'
2010-10-22
MAYWOOD, Ill. -- A dozen new epilepsy drugs are giving doctors and patients more options, but making treatment decisions more complex, a Loyola epilepsy specialist reports in the journal Neurologic Clinics.
"Clinicians practice in an era of abundance of anti-epileptic drugs," Dr. Jorge J. Asconapé wrote. The new drugs provide "an opportunity to better meet the needs of more patients."
Asconapé's article will appear in the November issue of Neurologic Clinics, now available online.
Since 1993, the Food and Drug Administration has approved 12 new anti-epileptic drugs: ...
New research provides insights into space weather, could benefit satellites, aircraft
2010-10-22
Settling decades of scientific debate, researchers from UCLA and the British Antarctic Survey have discovered the final link between electrons trapped in space and the glow of light from the upper atmosphere known as the diffuse aurora.
The finding will help scientists better understand space weather and how space storms affect the Earth's atmosphere from the top down, with potential benefits for the satellite, power-grid and aviation industries, the researchers said.
Their research appears Oct. 21 in the journal Nature.
Scientists have long known that the diffuse ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Oil cleanup agents do not impede natural biodegradation
AI algorithm can help identify high-risk heart patients to quickly diagnose, expedite, and improve care
Telemedicine had an impact on carbon emissions equivalent to reducing up to 130,000 car trips each month in 2023
Journalist David Zweig analyzes American schools, the virus, and a story of bad decisions
Endocrine Society names Tena-Sempere as next Editor-in-Chief of Endocrinology
Three-dimensional gene hubs may promote brain cancer
Liquid biopsy: A breakthrough technology in early cancer screening
Soaring insurance costs top concern for Floridians, FAU survey finds
In US, saving money is top reason to embrace solar power
Antibiotic pollution in rivers
Join the nation of lifesavers at NFL draft in Green Bay
TTUHSC researchers seek novel therapies for chronic pain
Predicting long-term psychedelic side-effects
Carnegie Mellon researchers create transformable flat-to-shape objects using sewing technology
Preventing cellular senescence to prevent neuroinflammation
Tuning in to blood glucose for simpler early diabetes detection
NUS Medicine and HeyVenus study: Menopause is a critical workplace challenge for APAC business leaders
Insects are disappearing due to agriculture – and many other drivers, new research reveals
Blends of child and best friend, with power imbalance: How dogs fit into our social networks
Transgene-free genome editing in poplar trees: A step toward sustainable forestry
Single-dose psychedelic boosts brain flexibility for weeks, peer-reviewed study finds
Sex differences drive substance use patterns in panic disorder patients
Multi-omics meets immune profiling in the quest to decode disease risk
Medication-induced sterol disruption: A silent threat to brain development and public health
Shining a light on DNA: a rapid, ultra-sensitive, PCR-free detection method
European hares are thriving in the city: New monitoring methods reveal high densities in Danish urban areas
Study: middle-aged Americans are lonelier than adults in other countries, age groups
World’s leading science competition identifies 19 breakthrough solutions around the globe with greatest potential to tackle the planetary crisis
Should farm fields be used for crops or solar? MSU research suggests both
Study: Using pilocarpine drops post goniotomy may reduce long-term glaucoma medication needs
[Press-News.org] Nurses Agree to Settlement in Whistleblower LawsuitAfter being fired and prosecuted for anonymously alleging improper medical treatment by a doctor to the state medical board, two Texas nurses agreed to settle a lawsuit against their former employer.