By designating May as American Stroke Month, the American Stroke Association aims to raise awareness about the critical importance of early detection and treatment of this life-threatening medical event. It’s crucial for patients to learn how to be their own healthcare advocates, given the risks of medical malpractice in stroke cases that may result in wrongful death.

Detecting the Signs of Stroke
The accurate diagnosis of stroke begins with the patient’s recognition of the potential signs and symptoms of stroke. These symptoms include:

• One-sided weakness, numbness, or paralysis
• One-sided facial drooping
• Confusion
• Excruciating headache
• Dizziness
• Slurred speech
• Impaired coordination
• Difficulty walking

Diagnosing or Misdiagnosing Stroke at the ER
One of the reasons why doctors may fail to diagnose stroke properly is that some of the symptoms can mimic other health conditions, such as the following:

• Seizure
• Hypoglycemia
• Systemic infection
• Migraine
• Dementia
• Alcohol intoxication

However, because of the life-threatening nature of stroke, it’s imperative that doctors do consider the possibility of stroke when a patient presents with certain symptoms. Doctors ought to avoid emergency room errors by performing some of the following diagnostic exams and tests to check for stroke.

• Physical exam
• Medical history review
• Symptom review
• Blood tests
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Carotid ultrasound
• Cerebral angiogram
• Echocardiogram

If a patient suffers a stroke that goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed, a medical malpractice lawyer will consider whether the doctor was negligent in failing to order any of these tests.

Getting Prompt Treatment for Stroke
An accurate diagnosis is crucial for administering the correct treatment. Most strokes are ischemic strokes, which are caused by an obstruction of blood flow to the brain. To clear the obstruction, emergency room doctors can administer powerful clot-busting drugs. However, if these drugs are administered to patients who are actually suffering a hemorrhagic stroke, the result could be disastrous because it will increase bleeding on the brain.

If someone in your family may have been affected by emergency room errors on Long Island, New York, you can find the answers you’re looking for at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC. We are a malpractice law firm committed to protecting the legal rights of patients and their families. Reach out to us today at (516) 684-2900 and let us know how we can help you.

Medical malpractice lawyers know all too well the serious consequences of poor sanitation in hospitals. In fact, hospital-acquired infections are a leading cause of re-admittance to hospitals. Some of those infections are spread with improperly cleaned medical equipment that is reused from one patient to the next. Hospitals are expected to follow strict sterilization procedures as determined by the manufacturer, but sometimes surgical instruments simply aren’t cleaned as effectively as they ought to be.

In some cases, the hospital might not be the only entity responsible for a patient’s infection. If the hospital did follow sterilization protocols, the responsibility may lie with the manufacturer. Some medical instruments could be found to be defective in design if there are so many complex components that the sterilization guidelines are ineffective.

If you feel that a hospital-acquired infection may be attributable to medical malpractice, you’re invited to connect with the team at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC at (516) 684-2900. At our malpractice law firm on Long Island, New York, our experienced medical negligence lawyers will thoroughly investigate your case.

Cerebral palsy is a category of movement disorders. It is a non-progressive disorder, which means that it doesn’t grow worse over time. Unfortunately, it’s also currently incurable. Children with cerebral palsy have varying degrees and types of impairment, but parents can generally expect that they will require a lifetime of care. After the diagnosis, you may have lots of questions about what cerebral palsy means for your family. A cerebral palsy lawyer can guide you through this difficult transition.

What can cause cerebral palsy?
Cerebral palsy is the result of damage to the developing brain. This damage may be inflicted by injuries, diseases, or developmental disorders. It may occur during pregnancy or at or around the child’s birth. In some cases, cerebral palsy is the result of medical negligence. For instance, a healthcare provider may fail to detect and treat fetal distress during labor. Fetal distress may indicate a need for an emergency C-section to restore oxygen to the child’s brain and prevent brain damage.

How will cerebral palsy affect my child?
Cerebral palsy affects each child differently, although all forms of cerebral palsy affect a person’s movement, muscle tone, or posture. Some children have involuntary movements, rigidity, abnormal reflexes, problems swallowing, or eye muscle imbalance. A child with cerebral palsy may have any of the following problems:

• Developmental delays
• Difficulty walking
• Speech delays
• Seizures
• Intellectual disabilities
• Psychiatric conditions
• Vision or hearing impairments
• Abnormal pain perceptions
• Swallowing issues
• Urinary incontinence

Are there any treatments available?

Although cerebral palsy is incurable, treatments are available to help children achieve greater functional abilities and better quality of life. A child’s treatment plan depends on his or her needs. Medications, physical therapy, and orthopedic surgery can improve problems associated with movement. Speech therapy can help children overcome communication barriers. Parents may be referred to a life care planner to get a good idea of the care their children will need for a lifetime.

The medical negligence law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC puts its considerable resources to work on behalf of the families we represent. It’s our mission to help families affected by medical malpractice get the compensation they need to take care of their children. You can call (516) 684-2900 to request a confidential consultation with a cerebral palsy lawyer on Long Island, New York.

Patients place considerable trust in their doctors, specialists, and nurses. Although healthcare providers are highly trained and the medical industry is tightly regulated, countless medical mistakes occur every year. Medical malpractice lawyers are dedicated individuals who seek to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for their actions. However, the decision to take legal action against a doctor should not be taken lightly. If you’re a patient who has been harmed, you can count on your medical malpractice attorney to provide the sound legal guidance you need to make a decision.

Getting a Second Opinion
Sometimes, medical treatments simply don’t work as well as a patient hopes they will. A poor health outcome doesn’t automatically mean that the doctor was negligent, but it is a good idea to be a proactive patient by seeking a second opinion from another medical provider. Be sure to have your medical records transferred to the second provider’s office. If you have any test results or imaging scans, bring those with you to your appointment. Plan to ask plenty of questions and take notes about whether the diagnosis you originally received might have been inaccurate or whether the treatment was inappropriate.

Establishing the Elements of Medical Malpractice
If you have suffered a harmful, unanticipated outcome after medical treatment, it may be time to consult a lawyer about possible legal action. Your attorney will review your case, including your medical records, to determine if all of the elements of medical malpractice are present. These elements are:

• A doctor-patient relationship existed.
• Your doctor gave you sub-standard care.
• The sub-standard care caused your injuries.
• You sustained damages because of the doctor’s negligence.

Understanding the Legal Proceedings
If your lawyer finds that your case has the basis for a lawsuit, it’s time to decide if you wish to move forward. For many patients, legal action allows them to pay their medical bills and meet their future care needs. But it’s important to understand that not all lawsuits are successful. Hiring the right medical malpractice attorney can make all the difference.

At Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, we understand how difficult it can be to make legal decisions in the aftermath of a major injury or illness. Our medical malpractice attorneys on Long Island, New York offer effective legal advocacy services that can help your family move forward. Call us at (516) 684-2900 today to request a free case review.

Sub-standard care is a term that you may hear regarding medical malpractice incidents. If a medical malpractice attorney files a lawsuit on your behalf, he or she will need to prove that the doctor provided sub-standard care that was a cause of your injuries. To accomplish this, your lawyer may have an expert witness testify about what the doctor should have done to meet the standard of care.

The medical standard of care is what a similarly trained healthcare provider would have done for the same patient under similar circumstances. For example, it’s widely accepted that if a patient arrives at the ER with chest pain, an emergency room physician would test for a heart attack. If the doctor fails to request the tests necessary to rule out or in a heart attack so proper treatment can be instituted, then he or she would have provided sub-standard medical care.

If you have any other questions about medical malpractice, you can count on the dedicated team at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC—a malpractice law firm on Long Island, New York. Call us at (516) 684-2900 to request an appointment.

Medical or health screenings are exams and tests that are performed on a routine basis despite the absence of symptoms. Routine health screenings are a cornerstone of preventive healthcare because they allow doctors to detect medical problems as early as possible—often before symptoms develop. With early detection, patients can receive prompt treatment to support their wellness. Your primary care physician should recommend health screenings that are appropriate for you, but many doctors fail to stay on top of patient records. Medical malpractice lawyers encourage their clients to be proactive patients.Take the initiative to ask your doctor if you’re due for any health screenings.

Some common health screenings include tests for blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood glucose. Patients with high blood glucose levels often don’t recognize the signs and symptoms of this problem, and patients with high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels won’t experience symptoms. There are also routine cancer screening tests such as mammography, colonscopy, PSA testing, and Paps Smears which should be discussed with your doctor. Despite the lack of symptoms, these conditions can cause serious, long-term problems and sometimes cause death if left untreated.

Diagnostic failures and medication errors are just two types of medical malpractice that patients may encounter. Call the malpractice law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC on Long Island, New York at (516) 684-2900 for a free case review.

The welcoming of a newborn into the world should be a joyous occasion, but some families are affected by acts of medical malpractice during labor that can lead to serious consequences. Fetal distress is one example of a grave medical condition that doctors must quickly recognize and treat to prevent additional complications. If you feel that your child was affected by birth injuries because of a doctor’s negligence, consider speaking with a legal advocate about your family’s rights.

Fetal Distress
Fetal distress is a broad term that means the baby isn’t getting enough oxygen. Fetal distress usually develops during labor, but may also arise during the third trimester. Babies who are in distress will have a weak heartbeat and reduced movement, as evidenced by a reduced kick count.

Causes
There are many factors that can contribute to fetal distress, including anemia and high blood pressure of the mother. Fetal infections, umbilical cord compression, and placental abruption are other possible causes. Expecting mothers of multiples and those who develop gestational diabetes are at an increased risk. Fetal distress is also associated with oligohydramnios, which refers to a lower level of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby.

Treatments
Fetal distress is a serious health risk that requires prompt medical intervention. If the doctor fails to diagnose and treat fetal distress in a timely manner, the baby is at a higher risk of developing brain injuries, including brain damage that can cause cerebral palsy or mental retardation. Doctors who do detect fetal distress can treat it by administering supplemental oxygen and intravenous fluids to the mother. It’s also treatable with amnioinfusion, which involves introducing fluid directly into the amniotic cavity to free a compressed umbilical cord. If these treatments do not work, the doctor must perform an emergency C-section.

If your baby has been affected by birth injuries in the Long Island, New York area, you can find the legal solutions you’re looking for at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC. We are a team of medical negligence lawyers who have made it our life’s work to advocate on behalf of families affected by medical malpractice. You can reach us at (516) 684-2900 to request a no-charge case review.

Cerebral palsy is a group of movement disorders that can stem from birth injuries, which may be the result of medical malpractice in some cases. Many children are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year, yet the misconceptions about it are still widespread. It’s often assumed, for instance, that children with cerebral palsy will never improve their functional abilities. Although there is no cure for cerebral palsy, intensive and ongoing therapy can help these children reach their full potential. Some children can benefit from surgeries to improve their movement abilities.

Another common myth about people with cerebral palsy is that they will never be able to lead a productive life in the community. In fact, patients with cerebral palsy all have varying levels and types of impairments. With the right services, many of them go on to enjoy independence, hold down a job, and start families.

The cerebral palsy lawyers at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC work closely with families to help them secure the compensation they need to arrange for specialized medical care for their children. If your child has been diagnosed with a birth injury in Long Island, New York, call us at (516) 684-2900.

March is officially recognized as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. It’s an ideal time to take a few minutes to learn more about this deadly disease and the importance of being a proactive patient. Colorectal cancer, which affects the colon or rectum, is life-threatening, but early detection can save lives. By becoming a proactive patient, you can reduce the risk that misdiagnosis and other forms of medical malpractice will adversely affect your wellness.

Signs and Symptoms
Like other forms of cancer, colorectal cancer often doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms until the disease has already reached an advanced stage. Therefore it is important for patients to be alert to unusual changes in their daily routine and to consult a doctor as needed. Some of the possible indicators of colorectal cancer include very narrow stools, rectal bleeding, bloody stools, diarrhea, or constipation. Some patients may experience the feeling that bowel movements are incomplete. Abdominal cramps, fatigue, weakness, and unexplained weight loss are other possible indicators.

Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
Based on a patient’s symptoms, medical history, and physical exam, a doctor should refer the patient for appropriate diagnostic tests to check for colorectal cancer. The gold standard of colorectal cancer diagnosis is the colonoscopy. Unfortunately, primary care physicians sometimes neglect to consider cancer as a possibility. They may instead diagnose patients with inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), anal fissures, hemorrhoids, or diverticular disease.

Risks
When a patient isn’t referred for necessary medical tests for colorectal cancer and the accurate diagnosis is delayed, that patient may miss the opportunity for timely cancer care. Early treatment can make the difference between life and death for a colorectal cancer patient. When colorectal cancer is detected in its early stages, minimally invasive surgery may be all that is needed to treat it. As the cancer spreads, the patient requires more invasive and life-altering treatments that are less likely to result in a favorable prognosis.

A cancer misdiagnosis is devastating, but the medical negligence lawyers at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC can empower your family. If you suspect that medical malpractice may have caused a loved one’s wrongful death or delayed cancer diagnosis, please call us today at (516) 684-2900. Our malpractice law firm is in Long Island, New York, but is privileged to serve families beyond New York.

Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling more confused than you did when you arrived at the clinic? Many Americans experience this, and unfortunately, it can sometimes lead to health consequences such as taking medications improperly. Health literacy is a crucial skill. It refers to the ability to understand medical information and to use this knowledge to make informed decisions for one’s wellness. A health literate patient may also be more likely to recognize possible acts of medical negligence or improper care when they occur.

It isn’t necessary to go to medical school to understand basic health information. Try following a few simple tips, such as asking your doctor for clarification when there is something you don’t understand. Bring a list of questions to your appointment and take notes during it. If English is not your first language, consider bringing a family member or close friend who speaks English fluently.

Pegalis & Erickson, LLC is a team of experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Long Island, New York that is dedicated to advocating for the legal rights of families affected by birth injuries, wrongful death, and other acts of medical negligence. We invite patients to call our office at (516) 684-2900 and let us know how we can help.