Here are some essential first aid items to keep handy at home and when traveling:

• A list of medications you take with dosage amounts
• An index card, preferably laminated, that notes your emergency contacts, doctors name and phone numbers, hospital preference, allergies, medical conditions, and blood type.
• Antiseptic ointment or spray
• Hand sanitizer
• Non latex gloves
• Tweezers to remove splinters or ticks
• Aloe Vera gel or burn spray
• Mosquito and Bug repellent
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Adhesive bandages, non stick gauze pads in small and large sizes, and a roll of first aid tape
• Triangle bandage
• Dissolvable Aspirin
• Instant Cold compresses

As Father’s Day approaches, many men are about to be in the limelight. Fathers are celebrated for their importance to the family, providing all kinds of support to partners and children, so it’s especially important for men to watch their health so they can continue their roles in the family.

To prevent chronic and dangerous diseases like cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, it’s imperative for men to eat well and exercise regularly. Exercise also reduces stress, which is a factor in the many illness including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease depression, gastrointestinal illness, and even Alzheimer’s.

Men should see their doctors for regular checkups. According to the CDC, men are 80% less likely than women to see a doctor regularly. In fact, regular checkups can catch diseases in their early and asymptomatic forms before they worsen, and cause life-altering complications.

At Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, we have devoted our lives to defending the legal rights of families who have been affected by medical malpractice in Long Island, New York and beyond. If you’re looking for answers about possible medical malpractice, call us today at (516) 684-2900.

Did you know that skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer among U.S. residents? In almost all cases, skin cancer is highly curable when it is detected in its early stages. Unfortunately, the disease can still be deadly, especially when patients receive a delayed diagnosis. To reduce the risk of a delayed diagnosis as the result of medical malpractice or other factors, patients can become proactive self-advocates. During this May, which is the Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, attorneys who handle medical malpractice cases encourage families to take charge of their health.

Skin Cancer Awareness

To promote greater awareness of the dangers of this deadly disease, the University of Michigan Health System has published some startling statistics. According to the university, about 40 to 50 percent of individuals who live to age 65 will be diagnosed with skin cancer at least once. Nearly 74,000 new melanomas were expected to be diagnosed in 2015 alone. According to the published report, fortunately, when melanoma is detected and treated before it spreads beneath the skin, the five-year survival rate is about 97 percent.

Skin Cancer Detection

Patients are encouraged to check themselves and their loved ones regularly for signs of abnormal skin changes, such as new growths, unusual pigmentation, and changes in sensation. It’s also highly advisable to schedule a skin cancer screening with a dermatologist every year. An annual wellness exam with a primary care physician will not necessarily involve an examination of all areas of the skin and so should not be relied upon to detect skin cancers. In addition to your visible skin, a dermatologist should also check your scalp.

Skin Cancer Prevention

Skin cancers are among the most preventable types of cancers. Certain risk factors, such as old age, gender, and family history are not modifiable. However, you can take certain steps to reduce your risk. Avoid unnecessary sun exposure and tanning beds. If you do go outdoors, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before leaving your home and reapply it every two hours. It is also a good idea to wear a hat if you areo going to be in the sun for prolonged periods of time.

If you believe that you received a delayed skin cancer diagnosis because of medical negligence, the malpractice law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC is here to help. For more than 40 years, our medical malpractice lawyers have served residents of Long Island, New York and beyond. Call us at (516) 684-2900 to speak with an attorney free of charge.

The following is our formal comment to the widespread news reports about a recent study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine, and their open letter to the CDC asking that medical errors be listed and ranked as the third leading cause of death in the United States. The reports highlighted the lack of tracking and reporting of vital statistics that can hinder research and has kept problems out of the public eye.

The debate over how (and how often) medical errors cause harm has been politicized for decades, with the messaging largely controlled by insurance and medical establishment interests. What is often lacking, however, is data, based on science, to define the problem. This new (Johns Hopkins) study appears to address that gap and sheds a little light on the issue. As lawyers who devote our careers to representing individuals and families whose lives have been sidetracked by medical negligence, we are well aware of the medical community’s propensity to sweep these questions under the rug. That community should stop blaming injured patients and the civil justice system for its own shortcomings, should put its house in order, and should accept accountability for injuries and death caused by negligent conduct. Pegalis & Erickson, Attorneys at Law.

In April of 2016, you can join others around the world in recognizing Cesarean Awareness Month. This public awareness campaign was launched for the purpose of educating families about cesarean sections, or C-sections. A C-section is a type of surgery that may be performed when it is considered unsafe for a mother to deliver a child vaginally. If a doctor fails to perform a C-section when required, it can result in serious harm. If your doctor delayed in performing a c-section or failed to perform a c-section and your baby has been injured consider talking to a medical malpractice lawyer.

Failure to Perform a C-Section

It is the responsibility of all medical professionals who are assisting in a birth to recognize the signs of distress that indicate that a C-section may be necessary. In some medical negligence cases, doctors are found to be negligent for failing to perform cesarean sections when there were clear indications of fetal distress. If this results in injury to either the mother or the child, there may be found to have been negligent.

Medical Malpractice in Performing C-Sections

If a doctor performs a C-section and causes harm to either the mother or the child through negligence, they may be charged with medical malpractice. Some of the most common forms of negligence include waiting too long to perform the C-section because of failure to monitor the patient, making avoidable mistakes during the procedure, which can damage the mother and her ability to have future children, and failing to provide the fetus with enough oxygen during the procedure, causing brain damage.

The medical negligence lawyers at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC are devoted to helping families find the answers they deserve. If you feel that the obstetrics staff failed to perform a C-section when it was indicated, or you were harmed during the performance of a C-section, please call us today at (516) 684-2900. A medical malpractice attorney in Long Island, New York, will review your case and help you consider your legal options. Attorney Advertising

A malpractice law firm on Long Island, New York, regularly handles claims of medical malpractice stemming from a delayed diagnosis. A delayed diabetes diagnosis involves identifying the disease too late, which can have adverse consequences for a patient’s health.

When diabetes is diagnosed too late to properly treat the illness and its symptoms, the situation can constitute medical malpractice. As a New York medical malpractice lawyer knows, diabetes sufferers can languish with the disease for an average of nine to 12 years before it is diagnosed. Half of diabetes patients develop serious complications, including blindness, amputation, and kidney failure, because of medical negligence or medication errors stemming from their failure to timely diagnose. Untreated diabetes also provokes lesser symptoms such as increased thirst, weight loss and blurred vision.

If you or a loved one wants to learn more about medical malpractice or determine if you have a legal claim, contact the Long Island, New York office of Pegalis & Erickson today. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys will speak to you at no cost about your potential case. Call (516) 684-2900 today.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month; have you scheduled your colon cancer screening? Medical malpractice sometimes results from a doctor’s failure to properly administer or interpret a test, including a screening for cancer. Colon cancer screenings are essential for diagnosing the disease before it progresses—and is more receptive to treatment.

A medical malpractice lawyer often handles cases from patients whose cancer tests were not read correctly, resulting in a misdiagnosis. Of course, just like medication errors, misdiagnosed cancer constitutes medical negligence. When performed properly, colon cancer screenings look at the structure of the colon itself to test for any abnormal areas. The cancer screening is either performed with a scope inserted into the rectum or with special imaging tests. Screening is so important because polyps that are discovered before they become cancerous are relatively easy to remove. Removing the polyps may prevent colorectal cancer from developing later on.

If you have suffered an injury due to a doctor’s medical negligence, the malpractice law firm of Pegalis & Erickson is here for you. Our experienced medical negligence lawyers work tirelessly to ensure patients get the care they deserve. Call our medical malpractice lawyers near Long Island, New York today at (516) 684-2900.

Although healthcare providers may be perceived as being infallible, they can and frequently do make mistakes. Sometimes, those mistakes can lead to serious or even life-threatening consequences, such as a missed diagnosis that delay crucial treatment. One of the elements of medical malpractice is a breach in the standard of care. In other words, a doctor may be liable for medical negligence when he or she deviates from the normal protocol for a particular situation. This can lead to a delayed or misdiagnosis, such as when a doctor fails to order an imaging scan in a situation in which it is medically indicated. There are a few steps you can take to reduce your risk of delayed diagnoses and other forms of medical malpractice.

Provide as Much Information as You Can

When it’s time to visit a healthcare provider, take a few minutes to write down important information. Providing your doctor with a written list of your symptoms can minimize the possibility of a missed diagnosis. Make a note of when your symptoms developed, whether they have worsened, and whether they seem affected by external factors, such as physical activity or meals. Additionally, it’s important to update your medical records each time you visit the doctor’s office. Let your provider know if you began taking a new medication, if you were diagnosed with any new conditions, or if there are any changes to your family medical history.

Speak Up If You Have Questions

Even if your doctor appears to be in a hurry to see other patients, you’re well within your rights to ask as many questions as you need to fully understand your situation. Ask what could be causing your symptoms, whether you should undergo any medical tests, and if so, when you can expect the results.

Seek a Second Opinion

It isn’t always necessary to get a second opinion; however, you shouldn’t hesitate to do so if you feel that your doctor is dismissive of your symptoms. You can also seek a second opinion for major medical issues, such as a suspicious lump or when a major surgery is recommended.

If you believe you were affected by misdiagnosis, you can contact the medical malpractice team at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC. For more than 40 years, our malpractice law firm in Long Island, New York has been representing patients and their families. Call (516) 684-2900 to schedule a consultation with a medical malpractice attorney today.

Despite advances in medical technology and knowledge, it is possible for patients to sustain injuries because of anesthesia errors. These types of medication errors may be attributable to medical malpractice. Injuries can result when the anesthesiologist administers too little medication or too much medication. Injuries can also occur if the provider fails to monitor the patient properly or fails to recognize developing complications. Serious injury can occur if the patient is improperly positioned, is intubated improperly, or is not provided sufficient pre-operative instructions.

A wide range of injuries may occur because of medical malpractice during surgery. Problems related to the anesthesia can include permanent brain damage caused by oxygen deprivation. Sometimes, this may even result in wrongful death. Other possible injuries include damage to the larynx, nerve injury, respiratory distress, and severe allergic reactions.

The medical negligence lawyers at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC are pleased to offer effective legal advocacy services for patients who have sustained anesthesia-related injuries as a result of medical malpractice. Call (516) 684-2900 to get in touch with a medical malpractice attorney in Long Island, New York.

A cesarean section, or C-section, has the potential to cause injuries to both mother and child. Sometimes, birth trauma occurs when the C-section is delayed, despite indicators that an emergency C-section is warranted. This can be an example of medical malpractice. Other possible risks of a C-section include damage to the mother’s internal organs or breathing problems of the baby. After a C-section, patients can expect an extended hospital stay and a longer overall recovery time. They can also expect higher medical bills, particularly if additional medical care was required for C-section injuries.

Although recovering from injuries after a C-section is of the highest priority, families may wish to consider talking to a medical malpractice attorney sooner, rather than later. If indeed medical malpractice was to blame for the injuries, families must file a claim before the statute of limitations expires. A settlement or jury award can help families cover the cost of the medical bills, lost wages, and any ongoing care needs of the mother and child.

At Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, our medical negligence lawyers serving Long Island, New York will handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on your recovery and on caring for your little one. Even if you aren’t sure whether you have a claim, you can call us at (516) 684-2900 for legal guidance.