When most people think about possible accidents during medical care, they tend to overlook anesthesia. Anesthesia in itself is a safe and effective medical practice that suppresses the nervous system, thereby eliminating awareness or sensation during medical procedures.

The potential anesthesia errors exist in position-related injuries, oxygen deprivation, spinal cord injury, failure to maintain blood pressure, and other provider-related errors which can place that patient at serious risk of an anesthesia-related injury.

Your risk of complications related to anesthesia depends on a number of factors including your general physical health. One potential problem is when a medical professional is in a hurry to administer anesthesia in an emergency and fails to take your physical health into account. Certain conditions such as obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, and health issues related to your heart, kidneys, or lungs may increase your risk of complications as can smoking, a history of heavy alcohol use, and certain medications like aspirin that increase bleeding.

While anesthesia is generally very effective, about 1 to 2 people out of every 10,000 may experience a condition known as anesthesia awareness where they are partially awake during general anesthesia. Patients are often unable to move or speak and this can lead to long-term physiological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Unfortunately, although not common, death occurs as a result of general anesthesia in roughly 1 out of every 100,000 to 200,000 patients.

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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In recent years, numerous studies have confirmed a disturbing trend: Men tend not to live as long as women. One of the reasons for this, unfortunately, is that men are far less likely than women to visit their doctors. June is Men’s Health Month, which means it’s the perfect opportunity to schedule a routine physical at your physician’s office. It’s also a time to be mindful of some of the most pressing health challenges that men face, including testicular cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression. Diagnosing cancer and other serious illnesses as early as possible is the best way to raise the chances of a good prognosis, so it’s important to be checked regularly for any conditions you are at risk for.

It is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and professional skin checks with your dermatologist are important for everybody. The effectiveness of early treatment is why it’s so critical to diagnose skin cancer as early as possible. Here’s what you need to know about #skincancer:

How prevalent is skin cancer and is it treatable?
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. In the U.S. there are more newly diagnosed cases of skin cancer today than all other cancers put together. Some 20 percent of Americans will develop a skin cancer in their lifetime. The three most common types of skin cancer are melanoma, squamous cell carcinomas, and basal cell carcinomas. Melanoma is highly treatable in its early stages, but it becomes progressively harder to treat as it worsens. Squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas are also both curable if they are caught early.

Can skin cancer be misdiagnosed?
Unfortunately, signs of skin cancer do get missed by medical professionals, even experienced ones, during skin checks. Dangerous carcinomas may be confused with acne, and a melanoma can be mistaken for a harmless mole. Early diagnosis is the key to effective treatment for many types of skin cancer. If a medical professional failed to diagnose your skin cancer in a timely way, you can call an experienced medical negligence attorney for a free consultation to find out what your rights are.

If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC in New York. We advocate for people of all ages to help our clients obtain justice and make healthcare safer for everyone. You can reach us now at (516) 684-2900.

The majority of births in the United States happen without notable complications. However, medical mistakes are too often made during labor and delivery and are not fully explained to parents, despite the resulting serious injuries that cause life-long harm. Here is a guide to some of the most serious types and causes of birth injuries:

Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy is caused by permanent injury to a baby’s brain by trauma or a lack of oxygen. Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition with the common symptoms of seizures, speech delays, learning and other developmental delays and abnormal muscle tone. If complications during birth go unrecognized, they can cause lack of oxygen to the brain and permanent damage. Preventable birth injuries caused by misuse of vacuum extractors and other birth-assisting tools can increase the chances of traumatic injury to the brain.

Erb’s Palsy
Erb’s palsy is the condition of nerve damage in the neck and arm with impaired motion in the arm and hand. The effects of the condition can run from severe to mild depending on how extensive the nerve damage is. The condition can be caused during birth if a doctor or midwife pulls on the baby’s head during delivery.

Cortical Blindness
Cortical blindness also known as CVI is a type of birth injury that affects the ability to process visual information, such as depth perception and light perception. Cortical blindness frequently occurs along with cerebral palsy. CVI can be caused by decreased oxygen to the brain during the birth process. Other causes of CVI include hydrocephalus, developmental birth defects, head injury, and infections like meningitis. If healthcare providers discover, monitor, and remedy the conditions, irreversible damage may be avoided. The vision loss may be partial or total, but unfortunately is usually lifelong.

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 clients of all ages, to help their financial burden, and make future healthcare safer for others. You can speak directly to our attorneys by calling (516) 684-2900. There is no fee.

A stroke should always be treated as a medical emergency, and immediate help should be sought. The sooner treatment is provided for stroke, the more likely it is to be effective at preventing extensive brain damage. That’s why it’s so important to know what the symptoms of stroke are. People who are having a stroke may feel lightheaded, experience sudden fatigue, or have trouble keeping their balance. They may also experience abrupt vision problems, or be struck by a sudden and painful headache. However, the most common signs of stroke are slurred speech, numbness and signs of paralysis in one arm, and drooping in one side of the face. If a person displays any of these three signs, call 911.

If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC in New York. For 45 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.

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that can happen to women during pregnancy. This condition is characterized by unprecedentedly high blood pressure levels and may also involve liver and kidney damage. If it goes untreated and becomes severe, preeclampsia can have serious health consequences for both mother and child. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 3 percent of all pregnancies in the United States may be impacted by preeclampsia.

The possible symptoms of preeclampsia include chronic headaches, vision changes, reduced urination, hyperreflexia, shortness of breath, sudden weight gain, and swelling in the face, hands, or ankles. In many cases, however, the symptoms are not recognized and attributed to pregnancy in general. May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to educate yourself about the condition and the importance of proper screenings during pregnancy.

If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC in New York. For 45 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.

Getting the right screenings from your doctor when you need them is essential to staying healthy and protecting yourself from potential health problems. All too often, however, doctors don’t recommend the tests that their patients require. Here are some of the most important health tests you should be sure to ask about during your next visit to your doctor’s office.

Depression
If you’re showing any of the symptoms of depression, you should ask your doctor about getting a screening. Some of the most common signs of depression include a nagging feeling of hopelessness, lack of energy, poor appetite, and feeling little interest or excitement over activities that once brought you pleasure.

Blood pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, can raise your chances of stroke, heart failure, and other serious health problems. If you are over the age of 20, you should have a blood pressure test performed at least once every two years. If repeated tests show that you have hypertension, your doctor can recommend a course of action to lower your blood pressure.

Cholesterol
Having high cholesterol levels can put you at greater risk of heart disease. Unfortunately, high cholesterol generally doesn’t present any symptoms, which makes routine testing more important. If you’re older than 35, you should have your cholesterol levels checked at least once every five years.

Vitamin D deficiency
As many as three-fourths of all Americans may lack the vitamin D they need to keep their muscles and bones healthy. Individuals most at risk for vitamin D deficiency include people with osteoporosis, people who have celiac disease, and people who are obese. If you think you may be at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, ask your doctor to test you.

If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson LLC in New York. For 45 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.

Unfortunately, not all Americans can count on receiving the same quality of medical care. April is National Minority Health Month, a time to familiarize oneself with the discrimination that minorities may experience in healthcare.

Findings from the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Reports highlighted the discrepancy between the levels of care received by underserved groups such as minorities, those in rural areas, and the poor, in comparison to other people: African-American received worse medical care than Caucasians for about 40% of measures. Hispanics received worse care than non-Hispanic Caucasians for approximately 60% of measures, and Asians receive worse care for about 20% of measures. Those in poverty received worse care that high-income individuals for approximately 80% of measures.

Further, according to recent research about minorities and medical care, many feel brushed off or condescended to by their healthcare providers. The results can be delayed diagnoses, worse prognoses, and evens death. If you belong to an underserved population group, it is all the more critical that you keep careful records of the treatment you receive from healthcare professionals. Take the initiative to ask for tests that are recommended for your age and condition.

If you are concerned about a diagnosis made later than it should have been, a misdiagnosis, or serious errors in medical treatment, contact the New York law firm Pegalis & Erickson, LLC. We advocate for people of all ages and backgrounds and help our clients successfully resolve their cases for financial support and to make healthcare safer for all. You can reach us today by calling (516) 684-2900.

When you go to the hospital, it’s only natural to expect that you’ll be treated in a careful, competent, and professional way. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. If you’re treated improperly in a hospital setting, it can have serious effects on your health and well-being. You can do your part to protect yourself as a patient by watching for these common hospital errors :

Medication errors
If you are given the wrong medication—or the wrong dosage—in a hospital setting, the results can be deadly. Not only might your condition be worsened by not receiving the medication you need, but the medication you do get could have an adverse reaction. Make sure that you understand your medication instructions, and that you have all of your medication information with you at the hospital.

Poor hand hygiene
The majority of hazardous germs and viruses are spread from person to person through their hands. It’s important for healthcare professionals to clean their hands using hand sanitizer or soap and water between treating each patient. Failure to observe this rule can result in pathogens being spread from one patient to another, resulting in needless sickness.

False patient identification
As unbelievable as it may sound, it happens: A patient’s identity is not confirmed by the medical professionals providing treatment, and the patient receives the wrong treatment. Whether it means not getting the right treatment, being misdiagnosed, or even being subjected to needless treatment such as surgery, false patient identification is a serious issue. Always make sure that every staff member that treats you calls you by your name and checks your wristband.

If you are concerned about a misdiagnosis or possible medical error, contact the law firm of Pegalis & Erickson LLC in New York. For 45 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.