| Medical
Malpractice Legal Glossary
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Percocet: A prescription pain
reliever containing oxycodone and acetaminophen. Classified in the same
category as Oxycontin, Percocet contains no more than 5mg of oxycodone.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma: A type of
cancer found in people who have been exposed to asbestos. Peritoneal
mesothelioma occurs in the peritoneum, a sac lining the abdomen, and has
no known cure.
Prescription Error: A form of
medical malpractice that occurs when a patient does not receive the
appropriate medication, at the right dose, at the right time. A Florida
prescription error can often cause harm to a patient, and in some
circumstances, can even lead to death. A Florida prescription error is
considered medical malpractice when a medical professional's negligence
or mistake led to patient harm.
Physical Dependence: A
physiological need for a substance, the absence of which leads to
withdrawal. Physical dependence is distinguishable from addiction in
that addiction also involves mental fixation.
Physical therapy: Therapy designed
to improve mobility and keep muscles stretched.
Plaintiff: The party who initiates
a legal action; in a personal injury lawsuit, the person who alleges
that he or she has suffered monetary damages due the negligence of
another party.
Pleadings: Written documents
stating the allegations and claims of the opposing parties in a legal
dispute.
Pleural mesothelioma: A type of
cancer found in people who have been exposed to asbestos. Occurs in the
pleura, a sac lining the lungs, and has no known cure.
PPA: Short for
Phenylpropanolamine, a drug which was used in many over-the-counter cold
medicines and weight loss drugs. The FDA issued a recall of PPA after a
study linked it to a higher risk of hemhorragic stroke.
Prempro: A type of hormone
replacement therapy that combines estrogen and progestin. A study that
sought to determine the effectiveness of long-term Prempro® use was
halted when researchers discovered that it led to an increased risk of
breast cancer, stroke, and blood clots.
Preponderance of evidence: The
relative weight, credit and value of the evidence presented by
adversaries in a trial. In a civil trial, the jury is charged with
reaching a verdict based on this standard, as opposed to the
"reasonable doubt" standard in a criminal trial.
Professional Services: Services
for which a person is licensed, trained and qualified to perform in the
capacity of a healthcare provider.
Propulsid: A prescription
heartburn medication used to relieve the symptoms of nighttime heartburn
associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Propulsid was recalled
by the FDA after a report linked it to heart rhythm abnormalities and
some deaths.
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