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Syracuse Medical Malpractice Law Blog

Alleged surgical mistake leads to impaired speech, other issues

Everyone in New York understands that mistakes can happen at any time. In some cases, mistakes are simple and easily rectified, while, in others, mistakes are serious and could cause years of pain and suffering for an unfortunate individual. This is particularly true when it comes to health care. The potential impact of a medical mistake is one of the reasons why medical professionals are required to have years of education and extensive training before they are allowed to provide medical care. Unfortunately, even with a decade of learning and training, a surgical mistake can occur and cause a person a lifetime of pain.

In the spring of 2013, a man underwent a surgical procedure. During the procedure, a carotid endarterectomy, the surgeon reportedly cut one of his nerves. The nerve that was severed was the nerve that controls the mouth's movement.

Man allegedly develops infection due to nursing negligence

There is always some level of risk when one has surgery. Unfortunately, in cases in which physician or nursing negligence is present, one's risk of injury or infection quickly increases. In New York, there are legal options for patients who believe that they are victims of nursing negligence.

In July 2010, a man went to the hospital for an elective surgery. Before he could undergo surgery, the surgical area needed to be shaved. He alleges that this was done without his knowledge and while he was under anesthesia. When he awoke following the surgery, he assumed that he had ingrown hair follicles, but, unfortunately, within the next 24 hours the area became swollen. When the patient showed the swelling to his surgeon, he claims that he was advised to ice the affected area.

Surgical mistake allegedly costs man his legs

With a large portion of the United States being overweight and obese, it isn't uncommon for individuals to undergo a weight loss surgery of some sort. Although there is generally not a problem during surgery, this doesn't mean that a surgical mistake cannot ever be made by the operating physician. In fact, it would appear that a surgical error occurred during a recent gastric bypass surgery for a man outside of New York, which now has him suing.

At 275 pounds, a man went in for a gastric bypass surgery in order to "change his life." However, the way his life changed was not the way he had anticipated. In fact, following the surgery, he ended up losing both of his legs. Apparently, this may have occurred due to a surgical mistake made in the operating room.

Better communication appears to be key to reducing doctor errors

Hospitals here in New York have the capabilities to treat a large number of health conditions, illnesses and diseases. That is one of the reasons that patients entrust their health to the medical professionals at these hospitals, often without thinking twice about it. Unfortunately, doctor errors and mistakes can happen, even by the most well-known physiciansat a state-of-the-art hospital.

One of the reasons for these doctor errors is due to improper communication between doctors rather than just the doctor and the patient. In fact, it is reported that roughly 80 percent of grave medical errors are caused by poor communication -- sometimes by no communication at all. This is particularly true when the doctors are switching shifts.

Doctor errors can lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment

Research suggests that nearly 33 percent of patients in the United States receive an incomplete or incorrect diagnosis when they go to hospitals or doctor's offices for medical treatment. Doctor errors can not only lead to problems with a patient's diagnosis, but can also result in a patient suffering from the side effects of treatments he or she did not even need or enduring unnecessary surgical procedures. Although New York health professionals should not allow a misdiagnosis to occur, there is one recommendation that can help patients avoid suffering from doctor errors.

Most medical professionals recommend that patients who have doubts concerning their diagnoses get second opinions. One may have the most prestigious doctor in the world, but that does not mean that he or she cannot make mistakes. Therefore, a second opinion can either back up the first doctor's diagnosis or find something that he or she missed.

Surgical mistake may have led to woman's death

New York residents know that there are certain risks associated with surgical procedures. However, as a general rule, most in-office surgeries go according to plan. For one woman in another state, a surgical mistake that occurred during a routine intrauterine device (IUD) placement and has cost her the relationship with her daughter.

The administrator of a woman's estate, who is also the woman's mother, is currently pursuing a legal claim against a medical group. The claim also names one of the nurse practitioners in the group as a defendant. She claims that it was the defendants' negligence and surgical mistake that resulted in her daughter's premature and alleged wrongful death.

Error from poor communication cause for medical malpractice claim

Residents of New York may, at some point in their lives, require medical treatment at one of the many fine hospitals located in the state. Patients admitted to these facilities place a great amount of trust in the medical staff assigned to take care of them. Unfortunately, medical errors that occur in hospitals are still a leading cause of death in America, and those who have lost a loved one due to these errors retain the right to pursue medical malpractice claims.

According to current statistics, hospital related medical errors are considered the third leading cause of death in the country. Approximately 440,000 individuals die every year due to these medical mistakes. Sadly, further investigation into the cause of death often shows that these medical errors were easily preventable.

Medical malpractice can happen in many hospital procedures

It can be heartbreaking to learn that a loved one has died as a result of a doctor's negligence. This is grounds for a medical malpractice suit in New York. It is important to file this type of claim quickly following a malpractice situation.

Negligence in the hospital setting can take many forms. For instance, delays and errors in an emergency room during triage or treatment may have fatal consequences. Likewise, a surgeon who doesn't perform gastric bypass or laparoscopic surgery properly can be deadly; an error during laparoscopic surgery, in particular, can cause a patient to have a deadly or severe infection.

Doctor errors allegedly led to injuries after failed diagnosis

When a person falls ill, the primary course of action is to see a physician. In some cases, a visit to the emergency room may be necessary. Regardless of where or who a person is seen by, a medical professional is expected to perform their duty appropriately to ensure that the health of the patient is maintained. Unfortunately, doctor errors can occur in New York and can lead to the misdiagnosis or even failure to diagnose a serious medical condition.

Although the underlying reasons were not disclosed, a boy was being treated by a urologist in 2009. He had to undergo an ultrasound. The mother claims that the results of that ultrasound were abnormal.

Medical malpractice claim successful for man after surgical error

When people in New York enter a hospital for surgery, they expect things to go as smoothly as possible. There are certain risks involved with every surgery of which patients should be made aware. However, patients should not have to suffer after a surgery because of a surgeon's recklessness during the surgery. A 75-year-old patient has been awarded $725,000 in a medical malpractice suit after the judge found that the surgeon had been negligent in his actions.

Apparently, the man had hurt his back, and the injury was so severe that it required surgery. He underwent the initial surgery in 2009. Unfortunately, the surgeon placed the screws in the wrong location in the man's spinal canal. This resulted in permanent and complete paralysis.