Receiving a diagnosis of cerebral palsy for an infant can be a devastating blow for any parent. Understandably, the most urgent question most parents have is what the likely outlook is for their child. In most cases, it won’t be clear what a child’s long-term prognosis will be until the age of 2 or 3. It is statistically highly probable, however, that your child will have some level of intellectual disability, be unable to walk, or have a chronic condition such as epilepsy. It’s important to keep in mind that physical therapy and other forms of treatment may improve your child’s prognosis and make it easier for him or her to enjoy a better quality of life despite the disorder.

The attorneys at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC have been representing parents in cases involving birth injuries for more than 40 years. For a free consultation at our law office in Long Island, New York, contact us today at (516) 684-2900.

Even the simplest medical errors can cause serious and even irreparable harm. If you believe that you have been treated negligently by a medical professional, it’s important to seek legal advice from a professional right away. If you are currently receiving treatment, however, there are some steps you can take in order to reduce your risk of being harmed by medical malpractice.

Keep complete records.
You should be careful to keep all of your personal medical records, for your personal reference as well as that of any healthcare providers that you see in the future. You should also make a note of every visit you make to a physician’s office, hospital, specialty clinic, and any other medical facility.

Make a note of your symptoms.
If you’re experiencing symptoms regularly, it’s smart to start keeping a record of them. This doesn’t have to be a diary; it can be as simple as buying a desk calendar and making a quick note whenever you experience a certain symptom. The more details you provide, however, the more useful these notes will be.

Bring someone with you.
It’s never a bad idea to bring somebody along with you to your medical appointments. Along with providing support, the person accompanying you can help you remember any questions you have been meaning to ask. This is especially important if you have a chronic medical condition and need to visit your physician frequently.

Seek a second opinion.
If you are concerned about your diagnosis—or lack of diagnosis—for any reason, you may want to find another medical professional and get a second opinion. Don’t bring up the original diagnosis you received—in order to be as objective as possible, a second opinion needs to be formed without reference to the first opinion.

At Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, our dedicated team of experienced attorneys works to provide all of our patients with the capable legal guidance they deserve. If you or a loved one has been hurt by the negligence of a healthcare provider, you can contact our office in Long Island, New York, at (516) 684-2900 to arrange a free consultation.

Regular handwashing is critical for preventing the spread of germs, especially in a medical setting. In order to protect patients, healthcare providers should wash their hands as frequently as possible, particularly when they move from one patient to the next. Failure to perform routine handwashing can expose patients to hazardous germs and viruses and place their health in extreme danger. Patients themselves should also be alert to the need to clean their own hands frequently. Studies have shown that using alcohol-based hand sanitizer is more effective in many cases than soap and water, although there are some infections that it does not work against. Soap and water are most strongly recommended before eating, as well as after using the restroom.

If you are dealing with an instance of medical malpractice, contact Pegalis & Erickson, LLC for capable legal representation in the area of Long Island, New York. You can reach us today by calling (516) 684-2900.

Lake Success, NY, January, 10, 2018… Pegalis and Erickson, LLC is proud to announce that Pegalis & Erickson, LLC has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America© among only 5% of all US law firms. Additionally , founding partner Stephen Erickson is named the only 2018 LAWYER of the Year in Long Island, NY for Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation, by Best Lawyers©. Stephen Erickson, Esq. is the only plaintiffs’ personal injury lawyer on Long Island to receive this honor. He is one of the nation’s foremost medical malpractice trial lawyers. As an advocate across New York State for seriously injured victims of avoidable medical harm, he obtains some of the highest jury verdicts and settlements in New York State history.

The firm itself has also been listed in the coveted New York 2018 Best Law Firms list, as a Tier One Plaintiffs’ Personal Injury Litigation and Plaintiffs’ Medical Malpractice Law Firm. In addition, six of our attorneys have been named to the Best Lawyers© list, of which only 4% of all attorneys in the US have been named. Best Lawyers® recognized Steven Pegalis, Stephen Erickson, and Annamarie Bondi-Stoddard for Personal Injury Litigation and Plaintiffs’ Medical Malpractice Law. Attorneys Sanford Nagrotsky, Robert Fallarino, and Linda Oliva, were recognized for Plaintiffs’ Medical Malpractice Law.

“Being named Lawyer of the Year means a great deal in our region of admirable competition, and as a firm we are proud to be named year after year among a handful of U.S. law firms,” said Stephen E. Erickson. “Our dedication to injured patients allows us to succeed on behalf of clients of all ages and backgrounds.”

Firms included in the “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence by peer and client review. There are no fees associated with receiving a ranking. Receiving the Tier One designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned in their industry from the same communities and practice areas.

About Pegalis & Erickson, LLC

Pegalis & Erickson, LLC is a New York law firm that represents seriously injured people that suffer avoidable medical negligence. We are advocates for patient safety and medical accountability to ensure safer medical practices for better patient care. In our 45 years of practice, we have won some of the largest verdicts in New York State history for birth trauma, misdiagnosed cancers, and surgical errors, and have obtained justice for construction and serious accident victims. We have helped thousands of people obtain funds for services they need to survive day-to-day living. Visit us at www.pegalisanderickson.com. For health news you can use follow us on Twitter , Facebook and YouTube .

Mistakes happen in every walk of life, but when they come in the form of medication errors, the consequences can be devastating. While many of us depend on our healthcare providers to protect us from medication errors, patients also need to be proactive about protecting themselves. These are some of the steps you can take to reduce the risk of medication errors, both at home and when you’re in a medical facility:

Keep a personal medications list.
It’s imperative that you keep a complete list of all medications you are currently taking, and bring it along with you to every medical appointment. Include the name of the medication and your prescribed dosage. You should also include any nutritional supplements or over-the-counter medicines you are taking, any allergies you are aware of, and any other pertinent information.

Review your medications with your doctor.
Before you begin taking a new medication, review its prescribed use with your doctor or nurse. Make sure that a trusted loved one also has access to this information. Don’t forget to update your medications list whenever you need to make a change.

Check expiration dates routinely.
All medications come with an expiration date, and taking expired medicines can result in subpar treatment or even serious side effects. Check the labels of all the medications you are taking on a regular basis, and dispose of any medications that are past their expiration dates. The FDA recommends that you remove any personal information from containers and seal medicines in plastic bags before throwing them out.

Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, has been providing legal assistance to people whose lives have been disrupted by medical malpractice for nearly 45 years. We have won thousands of verdicts and settlements over the years on behalf of our clients. Call our office in Long Island, New York, today at (516) 684-2900 to schedule a free initial consultation.