Medication errors comprise an alarmingly high percentage of medical malpractice cases, particularly considering they are largely preventable. Medication errors can arise from a vast array of factors, ranging from a doctor’s illegible handwriting on a prescription to inappropriate patient education at the pharmacy. Since reports of medication errors to the FDA are voluntary, medical malpractice attorneys have long thought that the sheer number of errors is actually much higher. Now, a new study supports this view. It found that half of all cardiac patients suffer from medication errors.

Clinical Study

According to WebMD, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine by researchers from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine evaluated 851 heart patients. The patients were of an average age of 60 and they had all been hospitalized for conditions such as heart failure or heart attack. About half of the patients received extra assistance from pharmacists, while the control group received standard care. Standard care consists of patient education about medications from nurses or doctors at the time of discharge from the hospital. The patients who received extra assistance were questioned about the extent of their social support, were given pill boxes and medication guides with illustrations, and were called after discharge for follow-up questions. They also received counseling sessions on preventing medication errors.

Study Results

The results of the study exposed an alarmingly high rate of medication errors—slightly more than 50 percent. Seven study participants in each group suffered life-threatening medical problems, although all survived. In the control group, 407 medication errors were discovered, potentially forming the basis for medical malpractice lawsuits. In contrast, 370 medication errors affected the group that received extra assistance. These medication errors included incorrect dosages, premature drug discontinuation, and failure to fill prescriptions. The researchers noted that better monitoring initiatives by doctors and pharmacists could reduce medication errors.

If you believe you or a loved one may have suffered from medication errors or another form of medical malpractice, you can contact Pegalis & Erickson at (516) 684-2900. Our medical malpractice attorneys have successfully litigated these types of complaints for more than 40 years. Headquartered in Long Island, we provide representation to medical malpractice plaintiffs across the country.

When a patient seeks medical care, he or she inherently trusts the doctor to correctly diagnose and treat his or her medical condition. Unfortunately, cancer misdiagnoses, which can lead to delayed treatment and continued cancer growth, have become incredibly common in the medical field. Television star Fran Drescher became a victim of cancer misdiagnosis when it took doctors two years to finally diagnose her with uterine cancer.

In pursing a correct diagnosis for uterine cancer, Fran Drescher had to seek treatment from eight different doctors. In this video clip, she discusses with Anderson Cooper how all but one of the doctors was wrong about her medical condition. Luckily, when the eighth doctor correctly diagnosed her with cancer, she was still in Stage I.  

If you have suffered a cancer misdiagnosis, please contact Pegalis & Erickson at (516) 684-2900. Our Long Island attorneys have handled medical malpractice cases for more than 40 years.  

In cases where someone dies due to another person’s negligence, his or her survivors can still file a wrongful death lawsuit. In wrongful death lawsuits, the survivors typically seek compensation for lost wages, lost companionship, and funeral expenses. Wrongful death claims range from car accidents to complex medical malpractice and product liability cases.

In order for someone to file a wrongful death claim, he or she must be a representative of the survivors who have suffered damage. Usually, this person is the executor of the decedent’s estate. However, the parties of interest in the case include immediate family members, life partners, and financial dependents. Some states allow distant family members, including brothers or sisters, to file wrongful death claims. Survivors can file a wrongful death lawsuit against a person, company, or government. However, certain government agencies are immune from wrongful death lawsuits, meaning it’s not possible to take legal action against them.

The Long Island medical malpractice attorneys of Pegalis & Erickson are advocates for individuals and families injured by another’s negligence. If you have suffered a medical or hospital error, please give us a call at (516) 684-2900. 

When someone is treated in the intensive care unit of a hospital, doctors and nurses closely monitor any changes in his or her health. As a result, most people expect patients staying in ICU to receive the highest quality medical care available. Even though various hospital staff and equipment banks surround ICU patients, diagnostic errors are still incredibly common in this part of the hospital.  

Heart attack

Commonly known symptoms of heart attack include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and light-headedness. However, lesser-known heart attack symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and back pain. In fact, women are more likely to experience the lesser-known common symptoms than men. As a result, doctors often mistakenly diagnose a heart attack as heartburn or a gallbladder infection. Sometimes, the symptoms are so mild that neither the doctor nor the patient notices something significant is happening.

Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism occurs when a lung artery suddenly develops blockage. This usually triggers shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing. However, these symptoms are often confused with those of an asthma attack, pneumonia, or bronchitis. Doctors can detect a pulmonary embolism by ordering a CT scan of the patient’s lungs. If an embolism is present, doctors can prescribe clot-busting and blood-thinning medications. In some cases, surgery is required to remove the clot.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia refers to an infection of the lungs that leads to inflammation. This results in coughing, fever, and chills. Some people with pneumonia begin to experience difficulty breathing. However, sometimes doctors confuse lung infections with asthma or tuberculosis. This can be especially problematic because different types of treatment are required for different forms of pneumonia. Delays in accurately diagnosing pneumonia can delay the antibiotic or antiviral medication needed to clear up the infection.  

Pegalis & Erickson is one of the nation’s premier law firms representing victims of medical malpractice. Our Long Island medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to helping those who suffer injuries due to another person’s negligence. For more information about our services, please contact us at (516) 684-2900.

Young women can safeguard their health by considering the long-term effects of their decisions. For example, drinking a few cocktails with friends several times a week may not seem like a big deal; however, it can increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Adjusting one’s mindset toward long-term health can offer protection from diseases. The less time spent in the doctor’s office, the lower the risk of suffering medical injuries and requiring medical malpractice representation.

Keep Excellent Healthcare Records

Patients typically view their doctors as trusted professionals—until medical errors or injuries occur. Young women can protect themselves by keeping ongoing healthcare records. It’s a good idea to keep an updated list of your medications, supplements, and medical conditions in case you need to take an unexpected trip to the ER. Be sure to ask the doctor plenty of questions at each visit and take notes. If you feel your doctor isn’t being attentive to your needs, don’t hesitate to look for a more involved healthcare provider.

Focus on Disease Prevention

In your younger years, taking steps to improve your overall health can significantly lower your risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Try to eat more whole foods, rather than processed foods, and follow a balanced diet that includes produce, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein sources. Although life may get busy at times, it’s important to exercise on most days of the week; consider it an investment in your health.

Reduce Your Risk of Injuries

You can lower your risk of suffering surgical errors and other medical injuries by following some safety steps to keep you out of the ER. If you play contact sports, wear the appropriate protective gear. Get plenty of sleep each night; sleep deprivation can impair your concentration and focus, and make you more prone to suffering an accident.

In the event that you do suffer medical injuries as a result of doctor or hospital negligence, let the trusted medical malpractice attorneys of Pegalis & Erickson help. Our medical malpractice lawyers represent clients across the U.S. in cases involving surgery errors, misdiagnosis, and more. For more information, you can reach our legal team in Long Island by calling (516) 684-2900.

According to a recent news report, one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer at some point in her lifetime. This alarming statistic is why so many women seek yearly mammograms, which screen for abnormal cell growth in breast tissue. Unfortunately, not every lab technician that analyzes mammograms has the expertise to determine whether or not the results truly indicate cancer. 

This video shares the story of a Michigan woman who underwent a double mastectomy after her doctors diagnosed her with breast cancer. Following the surgery, she discovered that she had never had breast cancer in the first place. As this news report reveals, cancer misdiagnosis is quite common, so it’s necessary for patients to seek a second opinion.

If you’ve suffered harm because of a doctor’s negligence, Pegalis & Erickson can help. Call (516) 684-2900 to schedule a consultation with a Long Island medical malpractice attorney at our practice.

Losing someone close to you is an unrivaled trauma. While no amount of money can bring back your loved one, this video explains the legal option of filing a wrongful death claim in order to receive financial compensation for pain and suffering. This course of action may be a good idea if a third party, such as a negligent doctor or inattentive nurse, caused the death.

The hardest part of these claims is proving who was really at fault. In the event of medical malpractice, this requires launching an investigation and requesting records from the doctor, hospital, pharmacy, and any other relevant individual, or medical facility. Timing is the most important factor, since evidence can get lost or disappear in the months following a tragic event.

Pegalis & Erickson is a Long Island medical malpractice law firm that has helped hundreds of families receive compensation following the death of a loved one. If you are interested in filing a claim against the medical provider who treated your loved one before his or her death, call our office today at (516) 684-2900. 

Mistakes in administering, prescribing, and dispensing medications injure more than one million people per year in the United States. Even more distressing is the fact that most of these medication errors are preventable. Luckily, you can help reduce your risk of suffering a medication error by taking an active role in your health care. 

Learn about your medications

You should do as much research as possible on the medications you’re taking, including learning about the potential side effects. If you have any questions or concerns about the medicine, you shouldn’t hesitate to voice your concerns to your pharmacist or doctor. For example, if you are already taking prescription pain medication containing acetaminophen, you need to check how much acetaminophen is in your other medications—both prescription and over-the-counter. This is because taking more than the recommended dosage of acetaminophen can potentially cause liver damage.

Ask your doctor for an explanation

Anytime you don’t understand what your doctor is saying, you need to ask for an explanation. Every time you start a new medication, be sure to find out the generic name, the recommended dosage, and activities or foods to be avoided while taking the medication. You should also ask your doctor about the possible side effects and what to do if you begin to experience a side effect.

Share information with your doctor

Asking questions isn’t enough to ensure you don’t experience any adverse effects from medication. You also need to share information with your doctor each time you get a new prescription. For example, you should tell your doctor the names of each medication you are taking, including any supplements and over-the-counter medications. You should also mention any medication allergies or medicines that you have had problems with in the past.    

For more than 40 years, Pegalis & Erickson has represented seriously injured individuals and families in the Long Island area. In fact, our medical malpractice attorneys have the distinction of obtaining two of the highest medical malpractice jury verdicts in the state of New York. To schedule a consultation, please call (516) 684-2900.

Medical mistakes often leave victims severely injured or unable to enjoy their lives. American law allows these parties to sue for negligence or wrongful death, and collect compensation in the form of financial settlements or judgments. The following article provides a brief overview of the medical malpractice system throughout the United States. 

Widespread Problem

Medical mistakes are all too common throughout the country. Doctors, nurses, and physician assistants in all 50 states misdiagnose, mistreat, or otherwise improperly care for a patient. Humans make errors and misjudge situations, which can lead to loss of life or serious injury for some patients. It is estimated that malpractice claims cases cost hospitals $55 billion each year.

Legal Options for Victims

American tort law allows victims or their families to sue the at-fault individual in court. These claims are encompassed in the field of tort law, and they include everything from negligence to malpractice and wrongful death. If a victim shows that the doctor or nurse acted improperly and caused their injury, the at-fault person will be required to pay financial damages in order to make the victim whole.

Insurance

American medical patients are not negatively affected if they file a medical malpractice claim while carrying healthcare insurance. Just because your insurance paid for some part of your treatment does not mean that patients can’t bring a malpractice suit. A good lawyer can still help victims recover the full financial cost of their medical procedure as well as the cost of missed work, emotional trauma, and future therapy.

Long Island-based attorneys at Pegalis & Erickson have built a law practice by excelling at New York medical malpractice claims. Our clients routinely receive financial compensation in the form of out-of-court settlements or in-court judgments. If you have questions about your specific situation, call our office today at (516) 684-2900 to schedule an initial appointment. 

Each state limits the amount of time that can pass between a medical error and a resulting malpractice lawsuit. The goal of this is to give medical providers peace of mind that old patients will not suddenly decide to sue decades later. In New York State, the law is that victims and their families only have two and a half years from the date of the accident to file a claim in court.

However, certain situations may give patients more time. For instance, if a medical mistake involves a child, the child has additional time to bring a claim against the doctor or medical providers that were involved.

If you have questions about the timing of your case, consider consulting the skilled legal team at Pegalis & Erickson by calling (516) 684-2900. Our Long Island office houses a group of lawyers who only practice personal injury law and can help with statute of limitation questions. Due to the complexity of malpractice claims, all potential plaintiffs should speak to an attorney as soon as possible.