Assisted suicide — legally called medical aid in dying — allows a terminally ill adult to request a prescription for life-ending medication from a licensed physician. As of 2026, it is legal in 14 U.S. jurisdictions. Patients must have a terminal diagnosis with six months or less to live and mental capacity to decide. What…
When someone dies because of another person’s negligence or intentional actions, the law gives surviving family members a way to seek compensation. That legal tool is called a wrongful death lawsuit. This article explains what wrongful death means, who can file, what you need to prove, and what damages may be available — so you…
When a medical error causes harm, the question of who is legally responsible is not always straightforward. The answer depends on who made the mistake, what role they played, and how they were connected to the facility where care was provided. This article explains the key legal differences between suing an individual doctor and suing…
When a birth injury occurs, many families wonder whether the hospital itself — not just the individual doctor — can be held legally responsible. In some circumstances, the answer is yes. Hospitals can face legal liability for birth injuries under several legal theories, including the actions of their employees and failures in their own institutional…
If you or your child has experienced a birth injury, knowing where to look for help can make a real difference. Resources exist across legal, medical, and community channels — from licensed attorneys and state bar referral services to nonprofit support organizations and government agencies. This article explains the main types of help available, how…
A birth injury can raise serious questions about what happened, who is responsible, and whether legal options exist. In some cases, families may have grounds to file a medical malpractice claim against a doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider. Whether that applies depends on specific facts and applicable state law. This article explains the general…
A birth injury is any physical harm that happens to a baby during labor or delivery. Clavicle fractures — breaks to the collarbone — are the most commonly reported birth injury in the United States. Other injuries, including nerve damage and brain-related conditions, also occur and can have longer-lasting effects. This article explains the most…
The difference between medical malpractice and medical errors is crucial: medical errors are any mistakes in healthcare delivery, while medical malpractice is a legal claim requiring proof that a healthcare provider’s negligence breached the standard of care and directly caused measurable harm. Not all medical errors constitute malpractice. A nurse who catches a medication error…
Examples of medical malpractice include misdiagnosis leading to delayed cancer treatment, surgical errors like operating on the wrong body part, medication mistakes causing severe harm, and birth injuries resulting from negligent delivery care. Medical malpractice occurs when healthcare providers fail to meet accepted standards of care, directly causing preventable patient harm. Not every poor medical…