STRYKER’S CORNER: Medical Mistake Or Criminal Conduct?
When do medical mistakes become crimes? California Healthline's Guest Columnist Jeff Stryker looks at the recent decision of a Lake County Superior Court judge to withdraw second-degree murder and other criminal charges against the doctor who discharged 11-month-old Cody Burrows from the hospital two years ago. Cody Burrows died from complications of diarrhea -- a fate more common in the developing world -- after three visits to the emergency room. Stryker's Corner looks at some rare cases where doctors have faced prison sentences for mistakes in clinical judgment -- or worse.
More On This New Column
Stryker's Corner, which makes its debut today, will be a regular Monday feature in California Healthline. Guest Columnist Jeff Stryker will take readers behind the headlines, with in-depth articles and guest editorials. In addition, beginning in April, Stryker's Corner will feature interviews with California newsmakers, available in both Real Audio and interview transcripts. Click here for more on Stryker and this new feature.
Editor's Note
The views represented in this column are those of the columnist or guest editorialist and not California Healthline.