Health

COVID-19 Creating New Medical Malpractice Cases

Published

6 years ago

September 15, 2020

As the pandemic continues to impact many industries and ways of life, some are surprised by the increase in medical malpractice cases across the country. Shortages of supplies like personal protective equipment and hand sanitizer in addition to shortages of staffing and rooms in many hospitals has forced medical teams to make difficult decisions that may generate medical malpractice suits.

As courts sift through the many medical malpractice cases with limited staff and limited hours, medical professionals and attorneys who deal with medical malpractice cases say that they have seen more active cases related to COVID-19 or in relation to some of the ramifications of the pandemic. This may mean longer wait times of compensation for those seeking damages from negligent nurses, physicians, or other medical staff.

While the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act that broadly protects those providing medical treatment for covid-19, there may still be individuals who seek compensation on behalf of loved ones who were injured or died due to the negligence of a medical professional.

Additionally, there may still be instances of negligent care for non-coronavirus related medical care because medical staff are overwhelmed from the pandemic, leaving another avenue where patients could seek damages. As the pandemic continues within the U.S., some who have received medical care may want to pursue a claim for negligent care either related to the novel coronavirus, or for another instance of negligence in the medical setting.

What is Medical Malpractice?

A medical malpractice case can arise when a medical or health care professional causes unwarranted or negligent injury to a patient. It could be an action or non-action and can either be an intentional disregard of medical policy or simply an accident.

“Medical malpractice cases can arise in a variety of situations, but commonly occurs in surgeries where a surgical team is in a rush and may fail to sterilize the surgical equipment, or fails to do a proper count before the patient is closed up and mistakenly leaves behind tools or equipment in a patient,” explains attorney Gary Christmas of Christmas Injury Lawyers.

In many instances of medical malpractice, a patient’s life is severely impacted by the action or inaction of the physician or medical team. In the scope of the coronavirus pandemic, some instances that could fall under medical malpractice are premature discharges, failure to recognize systems or order proper testing, and poor follow-up or aftercare.

How Has Coronavirus Created New Medical Malpractice Claims?

As medical professionals continue to learn more and more about the novel coronavirus, their strategies and treatments have adapted. However, there is still a shortage of space and personal protective equipment that threatens hospitals across the country. This means that medical teams may be more likely to release a patient early or incorrectly diagnose a patient to prevent them taking up a bed that could go to a worse-off patient.

Actions like these could cause the severe injury or death of a patient, which is where medical malpractice suits have risen. Whether due to an overwhelmed hospital, or to the lack of awareness in the medical professional treating a patient, some are seeking justice after experiencing medical malpractice in states across the country.

Some claims may be related to inadequate care, and other claims may derive from a patient who entered a hospital for a non-coronavirus related need and was disregarded or insufficiently cared for. In instances like these, patients and their loved ones may benefit from seeking legal representation or assistance. The HHS may have generated broad protections for hospitals and medical teams, but there may still be the possibility of compensation.

Looking Forward

There is still much to be understood about the novel coronavirus, but one thing that is for certain is that it will have profound long lasting effects on how medical professionals and everyday people interact. While there does not appear to be an end in sight, there are still many things a person could do to protect themselves and the ones they love from the virus, or from negligent medical care.

For anyone thinking of pursuing a medical malpractice claim, it may be beneficial to reach out to a local attorney who handles these types of cases. With the unprecedented situation created by the coronavirus pandemic, laws and regulations surrounding medical malpractice claims may have changed in a way that impacts a person’s ability to pursue their rightful compensation. Lawyers like them could not only help a person understand the nuances of the law, but they could additionally help them navigate their personal medical malpractice case in such a strange time.

Health

Precision with Compassion: How Dr. Nader Amiran Balances Clinical Expertise with Human Connection

Published

2 months ago

May 30, 2026

Michelle Langton

Somewhere along the way, healthcare became fast, technical, and transactional. Patients learned to nod along, accept explanations they barely understood, and hope the treatment worked.

Dr. Nader Amiran chose a different path. At AIRE Dental Group, he has built a reputation not just for clinical accuracy, but for the way he connects with people before he ever connects the data. His work sits at the intersection of science and trust, where listening is not a courtesy, but a diagnostic tool.

For Dr. Amiran, empathy is not a soft skill layered on top of technical expertise. It is the foundation of precision. He believes you cannot treat what you do not fully understand, and understanding begins long before imaging or exams. It starts with hearing how a patient lives, where their discomfort shows up, and how long they have been carrying it.

This philosophy shapes every interaction in his practice. Consultations are unhurried. Questions are encouraged. Patients are not rushed toward conclusions. Instead, Dr. Amiran takes time to understand the full picture, knowing that pain rarely exists in isolation. Jaw discomfort, headaches, or bite changes often come with frustration, fear, or confusion after years of unanswered questions. Those emotions matter because they influence how patients experience care.

One of the defining elements of his approach is how he explains complex findings. Dentistry, especially TMJ and functional care, can feel overwhelming. Dr. Amiran makes it accessible. He uses visuals, models, and imaging to show patients what is happening inside their own bodies. The goal is clarity, not complexity. When patients understand what is causing their symptoms, anxiety gives way to confidence. Studies have shown that patients forget between 40% and 80% of the medical information provided by healthcare practitioners immediately, which highlights the importance of clear explanations and visual education during consultations.

This commitment to education did not come without challenges. Early in his career, Dr. Amiran often treated patients who had already seen multiple providers and still felt stuck. Many had received treatment without ever truly understanding their diagnosis. Those experiences reinforced an important lesson: even the most accurate clinical decision loses impact if the patient feels excluded from the process. The role of patient education in improving compliance and treatment outcomes has been widely supported in clinical literature evaluating communication strategies in healthcare (Kessels, 2003).

In response, he made education central to care. Treatment plans are discussed in plain language, with a clear explanation of why each step matters. Patients are invited into the decision-making process rather than being handed instructions. This approach builds trust, but it also improves outcomes. When people understand their condition, they are more engaged and more invested in maintaining progress. Studies evaluating patient-centered care models have demonstrated that involving patients in treatment decisions improves adherence and satisfaction rates (Street et al., 2009).

Precision still plays a critical role. Dr. Amiran relies on advanced diagnostics, careful evaluation, and evidence-based planning. Technology provides valuable insight, but he is clear about its role. Data informs decisions; it does not replace judgment. Imaging shows structure, but listening reveals context. Together, they create a more complete understanding than either could alone.

What sets his work apart is how seamlessly these elements come together. Clinical accuracy does not overshadow compassion, and empathy does not dilute rigor. Each strengthens the other. By treating patients as partners rather than problems to solve, Dr. Amiran creates an environment where healing feels collaborative, not imposed.

At AIRE Dental Group, patients often describe a shift in how they experience care. For the first time, they feel heard. For the first time, the explanation makes sense. That sense of clarity changes everything. It turns treatment from something that happens to them into something they actively participate in.

Dr. Nader Amiran’s approach challenges a common assumption in modern medicine: that efficiency and empathy cannot coexist. His work proves they can. When precision is guided by understanding, results last longer, trust runs deeper, and care feels human again.

In a field driven by innovation, his philosophy is a reminder that the most powerful tool in dentistry is still the ability to listen.

References:

Kessels RPC.
Patients’ memory for medical information.
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 2003.

Street RL, Makoul G, Arora NK, Epstein RM.
How does communication heal? Pathways linking clinician–patient communication to health outcomes.
Patient Education and Counseling. 2009.