What Are My Rights as an Uber or Lyft Passenger?
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are increasingly prevalent in South Carolina and across the country. Ease of use, on-demand availability, and convenience have made these services explode in popularity ever since Uber was founded in 2009. The rapid growth of this industry has also caused a slew of legal issues, as courts and legislators…
Read MoreSickle Cell Disease, Cystic Fibrosis & Disparities in Federal Funding
Sickle cell disease is an inherited red blood cell disorder in which there aren’t enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Typical red blood cells are round, and move easily through the blood vessels. However, with sickle cell disease, the cells are crescent-shaped (like sickles), and can get stuck in the blood…
Read MoreBlack Patients and Pain – How Old Myths Still Hurt Today
Long-standing myths about black people are pervasive in healthcare. False notions and flat-out racism stemming all the way back to days of slavery still affect the black healthcare experience today. Do black patients have thicker skin? Less nerve endings? Does their blood coagulate more quickly? The answer to these questions is no. And the research…
Read MoreRandy Hood on the Sidebar Podcast, Ep. 8 – Personal Injury & Litigation
The Sidebar podcast, a series focused on top South Carolina trial lawyers, recently invited Attorney Randy Hood to chat about his experiences with medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, and trial litigation. Randy talked with host and attorney Mark Bringardner about his background, his values as an attorney, and why it’s so important to get to know…
Read MoreRacial Bias and Healthcare Decision-Making Algorithms
A recent study found that a common healthcare risk-prediction algorithm used in hospitals across the country demonstrates a racial bias, both reflecting real world attitudes and negatively affecting the level of care provided to black patients. This algorithm predicts which patients will benefit from extra medical care, and researchers found that it significantly underestimates the…
Read MoreOB-GYN Group Accuses Prisma Health of “Life-Threatening Medical Incompetence” in Lawsuit
A recent court filing by South Carolina OB-GYN Associates alleges the group left the Prisma Health network due to ongoing dangerous conditions at the hospital formerly known as Palmetto Baptist Richland. The allegations are part of a counter-suit filed by S.C. OB-GYN Associates in response to Prisma’s lawsuit filed against the doctors, for breaking their…
Read MoreWhy Are More People of Color Dying of Coronavirus?
A recently published study found that black individuals are twice as likely as white individuals to test positive for COVID-19. This is not the first study with similar results and it will not be the last, but it does provide even more evidence that – although anyone can contract the coronavirus – race is a…
Read MoreChild Abuse in Residential Treatment Facilities – The Signs
Every day in residential treatment facilities and group homes, children and teens experience some sort of abuse. Many of these young patients cannot advocate for themselves, due to disabilities and inability to communicate. It is imperative parents and loved ones recognize the signs of abuse, both emotional and physical. Welcome to an ongoing series of…
Read MoreResidential Treatment Facilities & Child Abuse – Behind Closed Doors
Making the difficult decision to place a child into a residential treatment facility means putting trust and faith in the hands of a third party. When this trust is broken and even one child experiences abuse or exploitation, it is imperative these facilities are brought to justice. Welcome to an ongoing series of blogs…
Read MoreThe National Nursing Shortage Has Serious Ramifications
Understaffing is a common theme in healthcare, highlighted by the current coronavirus pandemic. This has been an ongoing problem for decades, with medical professionals continuously sounding the alarm. However, with their warnings seemingly falling on deaf ears, a healthcare system is only as strong as its weakest links. Sick people don’t stop coming to the…
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