Medical Law And Ethics Case Study: Hall V. Hilbun

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Hall v. Hilbun Betty Ford Rasmussen College Author Note This paper is being submitted on May 14, 2014, for Ann Nevers M230 Medical Law and Ethics Course. Hall v. Hilbun As a healthcare professional it is our duty to provide your patient with the best possible care. Standard of care means that the professional must exercise the type of care that a reasonable person would use in a similar circumstance (Fremgen, 2012, p.39). In the case Hall v. Hilbun, you are able to see the 4 Ds of negligence and how it can impact a patient and how it can be prevented. Dr. Glyn Hilbun, a general surgeon, examined patient Terry Hall who was complaining of abdominal pain. After examining Hall, Dr. Hilbun concluded that there was likely an obstruction…show more content…
In order for him to be compensated, he had to show the court that the injuries to his wife were caused by Dr. Hilbuns’ neglect. He filed a malpractice/wrongful death action against Dt. Hilbun alleging that he failed to inquire about Hall’s post-operation recovery and failed to give appropriate post-operative instructions to the nursing staff (Hall v. Hilbun, Supreme Court of Mississippi, 466 So. 2d 856 (1985)). Dr. Hoerr was called by Halls’ husband as an expert witness in trial. He was called as an expert witness to establish a national standard of care applicable to all surgeons including the duty to follow the patient through the first several hours after an operation. Dr. Hoerr was not familiar with the local standard of care and was disqualified by the trial court. Hilbun was granted a direct verdict and Hall’s husband appealed. Dr. Hilbun was found liable because he did not provide standard of…show more content…
If Dr. Hilbun had stayed at the hospital for a few hours after the procedure he could have kept a closer eye on the patient. When he did leave he could have called the nursing staff that was on Halls’ case to check on her condition. By doing that he would have known about her worsening condition before it was too late. In conclusion, Hilbuns’ neglect cost Hall her life. He could have provided the correct standard of care to his patient, which was his duty when he agreed to treat Hall. This could have been prevented and Hall could still be alive. References Fremgen, B. F. (2012). Importance of the legal system for the physician and the healthcare professional. In Medical Law and Ethics (4th ed., p. 39). Retrieved from http://www.coursesmart.com/9781256856825/firstsection#X2ludGVybmFsX0J2ZGVwRmxhc2hSZWFkZXI/eG1saWQ9OTc4MTI1Njg1NjgyNS9paQ== Fremgen, B. F. (2012). Professional liability and medical malpractice. In Medical Law and Ethics (4th ed., pp. 136-137). Retrieved from http://www.coursesmart.com/9781256856825/firstsection#X2ludGVybmFsX0J2ZGVwRmxhc2hSZWFkZXI/eG1saWQ9OTc4MTI1Njg1NjgyNS9paQ== Hall v. Hilbun Supreme Court of Mississippi 466 SO.2D 856 (1985). (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2014, from

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