When a doctor makes a mistake, it sometimes can result in a medical malpractice claim for an injury to the patient. Medical malpractice occurs whenever a health care provider is negligent (makes a mistake) in performing his or her duties and that negligence injures a patient. If you have been hurt by something a doctor, nurse, hospital, or pharmacy did or failed to do, contact a medical malpractice lawyer right away. Keep reading to learn more.

Serious Injury

Medical malpractice often involves serious injury. While some physician errors are not noteworthy, many instances of medical negligence result in severe health conditions—or even death. For example, physician mistakes during childbirth can result in physical injuries at birth like Erb’s palsy (nerve damage to the arm). Doctors sometimes operate on the wrong body part, give a patient the incorrect type of blood, leave surgical instruments in bodies, and prescribe the wrong medicine or the wrong amount of medicine.

Causal Link

Doctors make mistakes every day, just like everybody else. For a physician’s mistake to have legal effect, it must be the cause of a patient’s injury. For example, medical malpractice does not occur if a doctor prescribes the incorrect medication to treat a patient’s cancer, and the patient breaks her ankle on the way to pick up the medicine. For personal injury lawyers to seek compensation, they must be able to conclusively link a physician’s error to the exact injury that resulted.

Proper Compensation

When physicians commit malpractice, the injured parties are compensated. As your medical malpractice attorney will advise you, you can be paid financial damages for any injury or hardship resulting from that injury. Damages often include medical bills, missed time from work, loss of future compensation, and pain and suffering.

If you have been hurt because of a health care provider’s negligence, contact Pegalis & Erickson. Our malpractice law firm on Long Island, New York has experience successfully advocating for patients’ rights to compensation. To speak to a New York medical malpractice lawyer about your case, call (516) 684-2900 today.

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.

As a birth injury lawyer knows all too well, birth injuries are devastating events for any parent. When an infant’s injury is the result of a healthcare provider’s medical malpractice, the situation can seem overwhelming. Instead of quietly listening when a doctor claims your baby’s injury was simply fate, contact a birth injury lawyer to find out if you have a claim against your doctor or hospital. Continue reading to learn why the mother’s size, an abnormal birth position, or premature delivery can put a newborn at risk for birth injury.

Maternal Size

While medical malpractice is never the patient’s fault, it helps to be informed about certain risk factors for birth injuries. For example, if the mother has anatomical abnormalities, there is a higher chance that her baby may be injured during the delivery process. One such abnormality is called cephalopelvic disproportion. As a birth injury lawyer will advise you, this condition means the mother’s pelvis is not appropriately shaped for vaginal birth and her physician should discuss plans to perform a c-section.

Abnormal Position

Birth injuries sometimes result because a baby is not in the correct position for delivery. A doctor’s failure to determine the baby’s position prior to labor can result in medical negligence. Your doctor should know which position your baby is in at least a week ahead of the due date. If a baby is breech or another abnormal position, a C-section can prevent birth injuries and complications.

Premature Delivery

Infants born before 37 weeks gestation face a higher risk for birth injuries. If your physician believes you are at risk for premature birth, he or she must recommend certain precautions which can include bed rest until the baby can be safely delivered. Common birth injuries associated with premature delivery include respiratory /lung issues and injury to the brain.

If you or a loved one has an infant whom you believe suffered a birth injury, it is imperative that you speak to a qualified birth injury lawyer near Long Island, New York as soon as possible. Call Pegalis & Erickson at (516) 684-2900. Attorney Advertising

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.

Heart disease is responsible for one out of every three deaths in the United States, making it the single deadliest disease in existence. Anyone, including children, can develop it. However, the most common type is coronary artery disease which causes heart attacks.Every person can reduce their risk of heart attacks by taking the time to educate themselves about it. Following a well-rounded diet, getting plenty of exercise, and avoiding tobacco products can all help you maintain a healthy heart. Your doctor can perform several tests to diagnose heart disease, and you should ask what tests are appropriate for you.

There are differences in warning signs of heart attack between women and men. Men and women might experience chest pain, but women may also experience nausea, back or neck pain and shortness of breath

One of the most common causes of heart disease is high blood pressure. Unfortunately, many people who have high blood pressure never realize it, since it frequently presents no warning signs. During American Heart Month, take the time to have your blood pressure checked by a medical professional.

If you are in need of a medical malpractice lawyer in Long Island, New York, contact the legal team at Pegalis & Erickson. We have been providing our clients with legal representation for more than four decades. For a free legal representation, call us today at (516) 684-2900.

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 traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a life altering health matter. If it isn’t properly diagnosed and treated because of medical malpractice, patients risk additional complications. It’s important for patients and their families to be able to advocate for their own well-being by learning to recognize the symptoms of a possible TBI. Immediately after the injury is sustained, patients may experience loss of consciousness, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, nausea, and vomiting. Headaches, drowsiness, sensitivity to light and sound, and blurry vision are also possible.

As time passes, patients may notice additional symptoms and complications, particularly if the brain injury was severe. These can include physical symptoms such as seizures, persistent headache, and loss of coordination. They might also include cognitive symptoms such as severe confusion, abnormal behavior, and communication impairment.

Have you or a loved one suffered brain injuries in Long Island, New York as a result of medical malpractice? Contact the personal injury lawyers of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC at (516) 684-2900 and let us know how our malpractice law firm can assist your family.