As medical errors kill more people, peer review should become more transparent
The latest study of inpatient deaths caused by medical errors — this one by Johns Hopkins researchers — reveals the astonishing fact that in the 17 years since the groundbreaking To Err Is Human report made headlines, estimates of avoidable deaths in hospitals have not decreased, but rather have increased. Medical errors now account...
Which State Has the Most Medical Malpractice Suits?
You're thinking about pursuing a career in medicine, the possibility of getting sued for medical malpractice has probably crossed your mind (and if you're considering a new doctor, you likely want to know his or her track record). According to a survey from the American Medical Association released in 2010, over 60 percent...
Superbug investigation: ‘It’s likely that more of these will be found,’ CDC says
A top U.S. health official said Tuesday that it's likely more people will be found to be carrying a newly discovered superbug. The bacteria, found in the urine of a Pennsylvania woman, is resistant to antibiotics of last resort.
Beth Bell, a top expert on antibiotic resistance at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,...
Court Rules Companies Cannot Impose Illegal Arbitration Clauses
A federal appeals court on Thursday ruled that companies cannot force their employees to sign away their right to band together in legal actions, delivering a major victory for American workers and opening an opportunity for the Supreme Court to weigh in.
The United States Court of...
Cellphone-Cancer Link Found in Government Study
Multiyear, peer-reviewed study found ‘low incidences’ of two types of tumors in male rats exposed to type of radio frequencies commonly emitted by cellphones.
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Senators probe whether car seats collapse in crashes
WASHINGTON – Two U.S. senators have sent letters to automakers asking for information on front-seat collapses and the threat they may cause to passengers in rear-end crashes.
U.S. Sens. Ed Markey, D-Mass., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., sent the letters to 17 automakers, including General Motors, Ford, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and others, saying seat back strength...
Madoff victims may get new $247M disbursement
Investment victims swindled by Bernard Madoff could soon receive their share of a new $247 million repayment to help cover losses from the historic fraud.
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Older people with reverse mortgages charged unnecessary fees, suit claims
To Retha Floyd, 95, taking out a reverse mortgage on her home seemed like a sensible way to pay for needed repairs and preserve the house for her descendants.
But a $5 million class-action lawsuit filed this month alleges that two mortgage companies conspired to defraud Floyd and thousands of other elderly clients — including...
Ford Recalls Some F-150 Pickups for Potential Brake Problem
Ford is recalling about 271,000 2013-14 F-150 pickups with 3.5-liter V-6 engines because the brakes may malfunction, the automaker said on Wednesday. The company said it was aware of nine accidents but no injuries.
Ford said the brake master cylinder in the affected trucks could leak...
“Killing children”: Congress takes action on danger of car seat backs
Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives are demanding answers and action to end deadly seat back collapses in vehicles - a problem that would only cost a few dollars to fix, reports CBS News correspondent Kris Van Cleave.
The threat puts children's lives at risk, like Taylor Warner, who was just 16...