One of the most serious mistakes that a surgical team can make is to leave an implement behind when the procedure is done. The best-case scenario is simply that the patient has discomfort and needs another procedure to remove the item. The worst case, of course, is...
Extensive training does not make neurosurgeons infallible
Qualifying as a neurosurgeon takes around 15 years. Does this mean you are in safe hands when you need one to operate on you? Unfortunately, not always. Neurosurgeons face a higher rate of medical malpractice claims than other types of medic. According to the Journal...
A team approach to safety can reduce harm in the surgery suite
You have probably heard a few scary stories about errors that take place in surgery suites across the country. Surgeries performed on the wrong patient or body part commonly take center stage in such tales. These stories sound like the basis for a good drama film, but...
Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of a lethal condition
Regardless of your health, you expect to receive top-of-the-line care from your medical team. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. When a doctor fails to diagnose a lethal condition, it can result in death or a shortened life expectancy. While there is no...
What happens when medical malpractice tanks your career?
When having a fairly routine operation or a trip to the emergency turns into a medical nightmare, all aspects of your life can be turned upside down — including your career. A doctor or medical professional making a serious mistake can leave you stuck trying to...
Medical malpractice and cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the most common disabilities in children in New York and around the country. According to some experts, as many as 4 in 1,000 children have some degree of CP. Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage. Sometimes, that's due to a lack of...
Surgical errors could be cause for a medical malpractice claim
Although surgeries are commonplace in the United States, they don’t always go as anticipated. Have you ever thought about the risk when you go into hospital for surgery? The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) highlights annual statistics in their...
HIV-related lung diseases are often misdiagnosed
HIV patients in New York who also have bronchiectasis are often misdiagnosed. Physicians do not pick up the fact that they also have this particular lung disease which often accompanies HIV. It is often mistaken for another form of ailment. As a result, these patients...
What does “Medical Standard of Care” mean?
Patients have to put a great deal of trust in their health care providers when they require care. After all, nurses, doctors and surgeons can quite literally hold your life in their hands. However, while earlier generations may have had great confidence in their...
Infections from healthcare leading to lawsuits and fines
A prestigious American hospital and its linen supplier have just settled a long-fought lawsuit. The suit stemmed from the deaths of several patients during a 2014-2015 breakout of mold at its facilities. The suits, brought by families of deceased organ transplant and...
