QUESTION

Do i have a case?

Asked on Feb 25th, 2013 on Medical Malpractice - South Carolina
More details to this question:
I was being treated for rheumatoid arthritis because of joint pain and fatique, the doctor did a hepatitis b test but did not tell me it came back positive. I was given methotrexate, arava, and himira, in a period of about two years. I ended up in the hospital with my alt's, and ast's over 1200, I had to resign from my job and am currently recivieving retirement disability. I have trouble with extreme fatigue and pain on my right side, nausia and joint pain. Do i have a medical malpractice case or is their nothing i can do .
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1 ANSWER

Catastrophic Injury Attorney serving Roseland, NJ at John J. Ratkowitz
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Click here for an article that suggests you have reason to investigate a medical malpractice case. In particular, the article notes: "In summary, there is extremely limited data on the safety of DMARDs in RA patients with concomitant chronic viral hepatitis, but the published data suggests that the combination of DMARDs and chronic hepatitis may have a synergistic hepatotoxic effect. Thus, DMARDs should be used judiciously in such patients, with preferential use of traditionally less hepatotoxic DMARDs, like sulfasalazine or gold, in patients whose disease mandates further therapy." The doctor performed the hepatitis screening test to make sure that you were a candidate for the drug. The test ccame back indicating that you were not, but he prescribed the drug anyway.  If you want to investigate a malpractice case, you should contact a local medical malpractice attorney (one in your state).  They take these cases on a contingency basis which means you only have to pay if you succeed.  Additionally, initial consultations are usually free. You can use the "Find a Lawyer" service through this website to research medical malpractice attorneys.  Then, visit each attorney's website and look for a firm that has a record of successful verdicts,  ideally with experience in cases that involve your medical issue. If you are unable to find a lawyer who meets these qualifications within your state, sometimes you may contact an out of state lawyer who can refer you to a qualified attorney in your state while providing support related to the issues of medicine. Below are some articles you may find helpful.  They are written for a New Jersey audience (where I practice) but the ideas discussed in these articles usually apply in most other jurisdictions as well. Click here for an article that discusses the three main questions I ask when deciding whether to investigate a potential medical malpractice case. Click here for an article that explains what you can expect when filing a medical malpractice case. Click here and here for more information about me. Please note that by attempting to answer your question, I am not acting as your attorney. I will do nothing further to protect or preserve your interests in the absence of any additional discussion with you about this matter. John Ratkowitz, Esq. Starr, Gern, Davison & Rubin, P.C. 105 Eisenhower Parkway Roseland, NJ 07068 Office: (973) 830-8441 Cell: (732) 616-6278 Fax: (973) 226-0031 Email: jratkowitz@starrgern.com  Skype: john_ratkowitz Web: www.starrgern.com. 
Answered on Feb 25th, 2013 at 5:51 PM

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