Trial Verdict Obtained for Heart Patient in Nassau County

Lake Success, NY, October 31, 2018 …Plaintiffs’ attorneys Pegalis and Erickson, LLC won a $815,000 verdict for our sixty-four year old client in Nassau County Supreme Court this week.

Our client sustained a heart attack because his doctor improperly placed a heart stent. “Today, avoidable medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and those errors also inflict untold misery for their victims.  All healthcare consumers should remain proactive of their care, and also be aware that they and their loved ones have recourse,” said trial attorney for the case, Robert V. Fallarino, Esq.   “It is humbling each and every time we can obtain justice for an injured patient,” he said.

The case index is 601010/14. The trial was heard in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Nassau.  The plaintiffs were Kenneth Prechtl and Maria Prechtl. The defendants were Ralph Caselnova, MD, and the Amityville Heart Group.

About Us:

Pegalis & Erickson, LLC is a New York law firm for those suffering as a result of avoidable medical errors and personal injury. In 46 years of practice, we have won some of the largest verdicts in New York State history and strive for medical accountability to ensure safer medical practices for better patient care. Visit us at www.pegalisanderickson.com and on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. To discuss your medical/legal situation at no cost, call our attorneys directly at 516-684-2900.

How To Talk to Your Doctor About Pain

Pain can be difficult to describe. If you are suffering from pain, whether it is chronic or periodic, it’s important to be able to talk to your doctor about it effectively. Explain where the pain is felt in your body, how frequent it is, and how severe it is on a scale of 1-10. If you feel any specific sensations such as tingling, numbness, burning, or aching, be sure to talk about that. You should also mention if the pain is interfering with your life in any way, such as making it difficult for you to engage in your normal daily activities. Finally, tell your doctor if you have tried any pain relief methods, such as over-the-counter medications. The more information you provide your doctor with, the more likely it is that he or she will be able to help you.

If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC in New York. For 46 years, we have advocated for people of all ages, in order to help our clients financially and make healthcare safer for everyone. You can reach us today by calling (516) 684-2900.

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Pegalis & Erickson, LLC Attorneys Named to 2018 Super Lawyers® List, Among Top 5% of All New York Attorneys

New Hyde Park, October 25, 2018…. Five attorneys from the New York plaintiffs’ medical negligence law firm, Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, have again been named to the competitive New York Metro Super Lawyers® list for 2018. Less than five percent of lawyers in New York are selected to receive this honor.

A selection by Super Lawyers® is a testament to the skill and accomplishments of the nation’s top lawyers. The rating service reviews lawyers on professional achievement, peer recognition, experience, honors/awards, special licenses/certifications, scholarly writings/lectures, and more.

For the eleventh year in a row, Senior Partners Steven E. Pegalis, Stephen E. Erickson, and Managing Partner Annamarie Bondi-Stoddard have been selected by Super Lawyers® for their professional excellence and dedication to obtaining justice for injured clients., Gary M. Nielsen  and Robert V. Fallarino , are  recognized  for the fifth and seventh times, respectively by Super Lawyers®. Pegalis & Erickson, LLC has won hundreds of verdicts and settlements for clients, including a $116 million verdict for an infant who sustained brain damage and cerebral palsy due to negligence during a breech birth, a $10,000,000 settlement for a man who became a paraplegic after medical negligence during surgery, and a $2.8 million dollar settlement for a New York man whose mistreatment of high blood pressure in the ER resulted in a stroke. At Pegalis and Erickson, LLC, our goal for all clients is a financial recovery that is adequate and for peace of mind that comes from making health care safer for others.

About Us: Pegalis & Erickson, LLC is a New York law firm for those suffering as a result of medical errors and personal injury. We are advocates who obtain justice for our clients after hospitals, doctors, medical personnel, construction companies, or motor vehicle drivers commit avoidable errors that cause our clients life-altering harm. In our 46 years of practice, we have won some of the largest verdicts in New York State history and strive for medical accountability to ensure safer medical practices for better patient care. Visit us at www.pegalisanderickson.com and on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.  

To discuss your medical/legal situation, call our attorneys directly at 516-684-2900 or visit https://www.pegalisanderickson.com/. There is never a fee for our legal consultations.

Understanding and Preventing Falls in Hospitals

Hospital falls are extremely common. Hundreds of thousands of people sustain fall-related injuries in hospitals in the U.S. every year. In fact,  September 22 was Falls Prevention Awareness Day. Make yourself aware of what causes hospital falls—and how you can prevent them. Here is what you need to know about hospital falls.

Who is most likely to fall in a hospital?
While anybody can slip and fall, falls in hospitals most frequently happen to patients who are at higher than average risk of falling, such as those who do not have the ability to stand and walk safely on their own. Patients who suffer from vertigo or other balance-related conditions are also at high risk of falling, as are patients who are taking certain medications. The older a person is, the more likely he or she is to be seriously injured in the event of a fall.

What hospital policies contribute to falls?
Often, hospital personnel fail to properly assess a patient’s condition, and thus fail to take preventive action to protect them from falling. In particular, bed-exit alarms should be set up so that hospital staff can be alerted if the patient tries to get out of bed without assistance. A hospital staff member should be available at all times to answer the alarm and assist the patient.

What can hospitals do to prevent falls?
Patients who are at risk of falling should be given beds that are lower to the floor, and they can also be provided with no-slip footwear. When patients have a condition or are taking medications that could make them lose their balance, hospital staff should be aware of it. Most importantly, hospital personnel should be ready to timely-assist a patient in the event that he or she needs to leave the bed.

If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC in New York. For 46 years, we have advocated for people of all ages, in order to help our clients financially and make healthcare safer for everyone. You can reach us today by calling (516) 684-2900.

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What Causes a Child’s Shoulder Dystocia?

When a baby’s head is delivered but the shoulders are stuck, it is known as shoulder dystocia. It is a rare but serious birth complication, and it can cause injury to the newborn. There are a number of factors that can make shoulder dystocia more likely to happen, including obesity, diabetes, and overdue pregnancy. Having a baby that is larger than usual, also known as large for gestational age, can also raise the risk of shoulder dystocia. Being alert to these risk factors can help your doctor take measures to help ensure that your delivery proceeds safely.

If you have any concerns about baby or mom after delivery such as a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC in New York. For 46 years, we have advocated for people of all ages, in order to help our clients financially and make healthcare safer for everyone. You can reach us today by calling (516) 684-2900.

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How Is Breast Cancer Diagnosed?

As many as 1 out of every 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer, with hundreds of thousands of new cases of the illness every year. After lung cancer, it is the single deadliest type of cancer for American women. Here is a brief introduction to how breast cancer is diagnosed in patients.

What tests are used to diagnose breast cancer?
There are several tests that can be administered to diagnose breast cancer. Your doctor can do a physical exam to check for lumps, and they can also use a mammogram—a radiological study—to look for early signs of cancer. If a suspicious lump is found, an ultrasound or an MRI scan may be used to try to evaluate it. If necessary, a biopsy—a taking of tissue sample—can be done to check the tissue for cancer.

When should I be tested for breast cancer?
You may want to begin doing annual breast cancer screenings, including mammograms, in your early 40s. After the age of 45, annual mammograms are recommended for all women. After the age of 55, you may want to switch to doing a mammogram once every two years, or as often as your doctor advises. If you have a family history of breast cancer or are a BRCA positive gene carrier, you should speak with your physician because screening is often done earlier and testing may include mammograms along with sonograms and MRI annually. It’s important to be alert to any changes in your breasts, such as developing lumps, discharge, skin changes, that were not there in the past. While not all lumps are cause for concern, you may want to ask your doctor if you are worried about them.

If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC in New York. For 46 years, we have advocated for people of all ages, in order to help our clients financially and make healthcare safer for everyone. You can reach us today by calling (516) 684-2900.

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Spotlight on the Flu Shot

The 2018-2019 flu season is expected to be a severe one, so it’s important to obtain your flu shot as soon as possible. While the flu vaccine cannot avert every instance of flu, it is still the most effective means of prevention. It’s also important to ensure that your flu is correctly diagnosed. If your symptoms subside and then suddenly return, seek immediate medical attention. Misdiagnosis of flu can lead to serious complications, especially for children and the elderly. The sooner you start taking medication for your flu, the shorter your illness is likely to be.

If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC in New York. For 46 years, we have advocated for people of all ages, in order to help our clients financially and make healthcare safer for everyone. You can reach us today by calling (516) 684-2900.

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