Archive for 2018
Congratulations, John Cocke, on Being Named 2019 Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America (Again)!
Merkel & Cocke, P.A. is proud to announce that our co-founder, John Hartwell Cocke, has been selected by his peers for recognition in the 25th Edition of the Best Lawyers in America as the 2019 “Lawyer of the Year,” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs for Memphis! This is the fourth time he’s been named…
Read MoreWhen a Doctor Fails to Diagnose a Spinal Cord Abscess
A spinal cord abscess—also called an epidural abscess—is a rare yet potentially deadly infection in the skull or spinal cord. This infection can be easily missed or misdiagnosed by some doctors, which can lead to long-lasting or catastrophic effects on the patient. If this has happened to you or a loved one, read on to…
Read MoreWhy Nurses Often Need to File Workers’ Compensation Claims
It’s typical for many people to think that the bulk of work injury claims are filed by construction workers, drivers and other people who perform some kind of manual labor. The reality is, healthcare workers are among those workers who are routinely hurt the most. This is especially true for nurses who regularly must lift,…
Read MoreWhy Spinal Cord Injuries Often Require a Lifetime of Medical Care
A spinal cord injury can happen in an instant. They’re often due to car accidents, slips and falls, violent acts, and workplace injuries. Medical malpractice by doctors, hospitals, and chiropractors can also cause a spinal cord injury. For example, chiropractors manipulate a person’s spine. If the chiropractor injures the patient, fails to inform the patient…
Read MoreMedical Malpractice and Never Events
According to a 2016 New York Daily News story, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has tripled the number of legal settlements it’s made since 2011 due to medical error and faulty construction projects. Yearly payments of $338 million were made by the VA in 2015 alone. Medical providers who fail to follow standard medical…
Read MoreLogging Truck and Strawberry Truck Collide in Marshall County
A recent WREG news story reported that the two trucks collided at the intersection of Cayce Road and Highway 302. The accident happened around 8:45 in the morning. The victim, Brooks Brownlee, was driving the strawberry truck. Brownlee Farms said it would be closing its farm in nearby Red Banks. Mr. Brownlee was a beloved…
Read MoreWhy Do You Need a Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
Hardworking people affected by life-changing injuries and illnesses, which can lead to partial, total, temporary, or permanent disabilities, can receive workers’ compensation benefits. However, they should not handle their cases alone. Instead, they should have workers’ compensation attorneys assist them. But why? The truth is, filing a claim for benefits can be a challenge –…
Read MoreInnovative Care for Serious, Life-Threatening Burn Injuries
When a person has sustained a severe burn injury whether in a house fire, in a motor vehicle crash, or because of an industrial accident, they often require specialized care for their wounds. Throughout the United States, the health care system has developed a series of regional burn centers that can provide that care. Patients…
Read MoreHospitals are Not the Only Place You May Contract Sepsis
Many people consider hospitals and major medical centers breeding grounds for infections; a place where superbugs flourish just waiting to claim their victims. In particular, medical treatment requiring invasive surgery can enhance the risk of infection to patients. On the other hand, our homes and workplaces are generally supposed to be free from this type…
Read MoreCar Accidents Still the Leading Cause of Injury in Mississippi
The Mississippi State Department of Health tells us that the mortality rate in MS was 82 out of 10,000 – higher than the national average of 62 out of 10,000 – based on data accessed in 2014. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent data, however, doesn’t paint a much rosier picture. We…
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