Serving Clients Throughout Upstate New York with Multiple Convenient Locations Syracuse | Oneida | Watertown | New Hartford | Binghamton | Cortland | Rochester | Oswego | Albany | Buffalo

People harmed by medical malpractice are often eager to litigate their claims. In some instances, though, a plaintiff will neglect to take action or move a case forward for several years. In such cases, the court may find it appropriate to dismiss the plaintiff’s claims for failure to prosecute. In a recent opinion issued in a New York medical malpractice case, the court explained the factors for evaluating whether to dismiss a matter for failure to prosecute. If you suffered harm due to medical malpractice, it is smart to meet with a Syracuse medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to discuss what claims you may be able to assert.

The Facts of the Case

It is alleged that the decedent sought treatment from the defendant doctor at the defendant medical center, which the federal government-owned and operated. The decedent subsequently suffered a myocardial infarction, which proved to be fatal. Her husband then filed a medical malpractice case against the defendants under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Reportedly, the plaintiff’s attorney withdrew, after which the court directed the plaintiff to obtain new counsel or otherwise indicate that he intended to pursue his claims per se. The plaintiff did not respond, however, even though the court warned him on two occasions that his case would be dismissed. As such, the plaintiff’s lawsuit was ultimately dismissed due to his failure to prosecute his case. Continue Reading ›

Many facilities that provide medical care are operated by the state or federal government. While patients harmed by negligent medical care at such facilities have the right to seek compensation for their losses through medical malpractice claims, they must comply with certain notice requirements. If they fail to provide timely notice, their claims may be dismissed, as illustrated by a recent New York ruling. If you were hurt by the negligence of your doctor, you have the right to pursue damages, and you should speak to a Syracuse medical malpractice lawyer to evaluate your potential claims.

History of the Case

It is reported that the plaintiff lived in a state-owned facility. While he was there, he underwent surgical repair of a fracture in his right foot. He began to experience pain immediately after the surgery, but his requests for pain medication were denied. He continued to complain of pain, but his reports were largely disregarded. He ultimately underwent an evaluation, after which he was informed that the treatment that he was provided was improper, and he developed arthritis due to the negligent care. He subsequently instituted a lawsuit against the state, asserting numerous claims, including medical malpractice. The defendant then moved to dismiss the plaintiff’s claims.

Notice Requirements in Medical Malpractice Cases Against Municipal Entities

The defendant argued, among other things, that the plaintiff’s state law medical malpractice claims against it must be dismissed, as the plaintiff failed to comply with the Notice of Claim requirements, which were conditions precedent to filing suits against public corporations or their employees under New York municipal law. Continue Reading ›

People harmed by reckless health care providers have the right to seek compensation for their losses. They must do so in a timely manner, however, or their claims may be barred by the statute of limitations. While the statutory period may be tolled in some situations, a plaintiff bears the burden of proving such tolling is proper. If they cannot, their claims may be dismissed, as shown in a recent ruling issued in a New York medical malpractice case. If you were hurt due to negligently rendered medical care, you might be owed damages, and you should confer with a Syracuse medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible to avoid waiving your right to recover compensation.

The Plaintiff’s Claims

Allegedly, in 2013, the plaintiff suffered injuries in a fall at a restaurant. She was then transported by ambulance to the defendant hospital, where she was treated by the defendant nurse and other parties. She presumably suffered harm due to the care she received from the defendant’s employees, as in 2015, she filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the defendants. She ultimately discontinued her claims via stipulation with a reservation of her rights under CPLR 205(a).

It is reported that in 2017, she then commenced a lawsuit against the defendants, apparently pursuant to the six month extension of the statute of limitations under CPLR 205(a). The defendants moved to dismiss the claims against them as time barred. The court ultimately granted the defendant’s motion. Continue Reading ›

A motion for summary judgment is a procedural tool that defendants in medical malpractice cases often use in an effort to persuade the courts to dismiss the claims against them rather than allowing them to proceed to trial. The courts will only grant a summary judgment in cases in which the plaintiff fails to establish the existence of a material factual dispute, however. As such, if the plaintiff offers any evidence that would support the assertion that the defendant may be liable for the plaintiff’s damages, summary judgment is improper. This was demonstrated recently in a ruling issued in a New York medical malpractice matter in which the court declined to adopt the defendant hospital’s assertion that it was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. If you suffered harm due to incompetent care that you received in a hospital, you might be owed damages, and you should meet with a Syracuse hospital malpractice lawyer to assess your options for seeking compensation.

The Decedent’s Harm

It is reported that the decedent, who suffered from multiple sclerosis, was admitted to the defendant hospital with complaints of abdominal pain and distention. He underwent a test and was diagnosed with a pseudo-obstruction of the bowel and prescribed medication. He was evaluated numerous times during his admission due to worsening symptoms, but his treatment largely remained unchanged. Nine days after he was admitted, he died due to an internal hemorrhage and a tear of the iliac artery.

Allegedly, the decedent’s estate filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the defendant hospital and the doctors who treated the decedent. The defendants moved for summary judgment, and the court granted their motion. The plaintiff then appealed. Continue Reading ›

It is an unfortunate reality that a patient can visit a cardiologist, receive a clean bill of health, and subsequently suffer a fatal heart attack a few days later. In such instances, the inclination is most likely to believe that the cardiologist negligently performed its duties, and therefore should be liable for malpractice. As demonstrated in a recent New York ruling issued in a cardiology malpractice matter, however, that is not always the case. If you or your loved one sustained losses due to negligent treatment of a heart issue, you should speak to a  Syracuse cardiology malpractice lawyer regarding your potential claims.

The Decedent’s Care

Reportedly, the decedent presented to the hospital with complaints of chest pain in July 2012. He underwent a heart catheterization that showed he suffered from a 75% narrowing of a coronary artery, which he was advised could be treated with medication. A week later, he visited the defendant’s cardiologist for a second opinion. The defendant recommended that the decedent continue to treat his heart issues with medication instead of an angioplasty.

It is alleged that in October 2012, the decedent underwent a stress test that was interpreted by a second cardiologist named as a defendant, who determined the decedent did not require emergent care. One month later, however, the decedent suffered a fatal heart attack. The plaintiff, his wife,  commenced a medical malpractice lawsuit against the defendants, alleging they failed to properly diagnose and treat a blockage in the decedent’s heart, The defendants ultimately moved for summary judgment, and the court granted their motion. The plaintiff appealed. Continue Reading ›

Car accidents are generally caused, at least in part, by negligent driving. Other factors may cause or contribute to bringing about collisions as well, though. For example, if a road suffers from an unsafe design, it may increase the likelihood of crashes or increase the severity of injuries suffered in a crash. Whether the party that designed a road can be held accountable for harm suffered in an accident depends on numerous factors, as discussed in a recent New York opinion issued in a case arising out of a fatal accident. If you lost a loved one in a car crash, it is advisable to confer with a trusted Syracuse car accident lawyer to assess what claims you may be able to assert in pursuit of damages.

The Facts of the Case

It is reported that the decedent suffered fatal injuries when he was riding as a passenger in the defendant driver’s vehicle. The police report indicated that the deadly accident occurred when the defendant driver, who was intoxicated, struck the curb on an exit ramp, which caused him to lose control of the vehicle, hit a guard rail, and then crash into numerous storefronts. The plaintiff, who was the administrator of the decedent’s estate, commenced claims against the driver and the municipal entities that designed the ramp where the accident occurred. Specifically, the plaintiff alleged the municipal parties negligently planned and designed the ramp, which created a dangerous condition. The municipal entities moved for summary judgment, and the court granted the motion. The plaintiff appealed.

Liability for Negligently  Designed Roadways

Under New York law, municipalities owe a duty to the public to keep their streets in a relatively safe condition. In evaluating whether a municipality upholds this duty, the courts respect the planning and decision-making functions of a municipality. As such, the municipalities are granted qualified immunity from liability arising out of a highway planning decision. Continue Reading ›

New York is a no-fault insurance state. This means, in part, that a person hurt in a collision generally cannot recover damages from the party that caused the collision unless they demonstrate they suffered serious harm. In a recent New York ruling issued in a matter arising out of a collision, the court discussed what constitutes a serious injury and what evidence a plaintiff must offer to prove that such injury occurred. If you were hurt in a collision, it is in your best interest to speak to a skilled Syracuse car accident lawyer to discuss your rights.

The Facts of the Case

It is alleged that the plaintiff and defendant were involved in a collision in May 2018. The plaintiff suffered injuries to his left knee and shoulder, and spine due to the accident. He underwent surgery on his left should in February 2019 and on his left knee in August 2019. He subsequently filed a personal injury lawsuit against the defendant, seeking compensation for his injuries. The defendant moved for summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiff failed to show that he suffered a serious injury as required to proceed to trial pursuant to New York’s no-fault insurance law. The court ultimately denied the motion.

Serious Injuries in Car Accident Cases

The court explained that the New York no-fault insurance law provides, in relevant part, that in any action in which one covered party seeks compensation from another covered party for personal injuries arising out the negligent operation of a motor vehicle, there is no right of recovery for non-economic losses except in cases involving serious injuries. In turn, a serious injury is defined as one that causes a permanent consequential limitation of the use of a body part or organ, a substantial limitation of a bodily system or function, or a medically determined impairment or injury that prevents a person from performing the acts of daily life for at least ninety days during the six months following a collision. Continue Reading ›

Typically, parties in a medical malpractice case will settle their disputes prior to going to trial. If a matter is tried, however, issues of liability and damages will likely be assessed by a jury rather than a judge. While juries are tasked with assessing the evidence presented and making a determination based on that evidence, they do not always issue verdicts in accordance with the evidence. Fortunately, though, the law allows parties to ask the courts to set aside verdicts in medical malpractice matters in which they believe the jury’s verdict is improper. The grounds for vacating a medical malpractice verdict were the topic of a recent New York ruling issued in an allergist malpractice case. If you suffered harm due to the negligence of your allergy doctor, it is smart to meet with a Syracuse medical malpractice lawyer to assess your options for seeking compensation.

The Facts of the Case

It is reported that the decedent contacted the defendant allergist regarding an allergic reaction. The defendant concluded the decedent’s reaction was caused by a blood pressure medication that he had been taking for the last three years and advised him to stop taking the medication. The defendant saw the decedent on two additional occasions and again confirmed he was no longer taking the drug that caused the reaction.

Allegedly, the defendant failed to confer with the decedent’s primary care physician to inform him the decedent should no longer be taking the medication. The decedent collapsed and died a few weeks later. The cause of death was determined to be anaphylactic shock caused by the drug pressure medication. The decedent’s estate filed a medical malpractice case against the defendant. The cause proceeded to trial, and the jury found in favor of the plaintiff. The defendant then filed a motion to set aside the verdict. Continue Reading ›

Children are, sadly, not immune from the consequences of incompetent medical care. Thus, if they suffer harm because of a medical mistake, their parents will often pursue medical malpractice claims on their behalf. While medical malpractice cases involving children differ from those involving adults in some key aspects, the burdens of proof and standards of review are the same in both types of matters. This was demonstrated recently when a New York court evaluated an appeal from an order granting the defendant’s motion for summary judgment in a dermatology malpractice case involving the treatment of a child. If you or your child suffered harm due to careless treatment from a dermatologist, it is in your best interest to meet with a Syracuse dermatology malpractice lawyer to discuss your options.

The Facts of the Case

It is reported that the defendant dermatologist removed a mole from the knee of the nine year old minor plaintiff. He then covered the area with skin grants taken from her buttocks. The plaintiff’s father then commenced a medical malpractice lawsuit against the defendant on behalf of the plaintiff, arguing that the defendant performed his professional duties improperly, thereby causing the plaintiff harm.

Allegedly, the defendant asked for dismissal of the plaintiff’s claims via a motion for summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiff failed to demonstrate that he breached the standard of care. The trial court agreed and granted the motion, dismissing the plaintiff’s complaint. The plaintiff then appealed. Continue Reading ›

Medical malpractice trials can be costly and emotionally exhausting, and litigants run the risk that the judge or jury determining liability will rule against them regardless of how persuasive their evidence is. Thus, in many cases, it is prudent for a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case to settle their claims prior to trial. Settling a case is not always as straightforward as merely accepting a defendant’s offer, though, as demonstrated in a recent New York ruling. If you were injured by inadequate medical care, it is smart to speak to Syracuse medical malpractice lawyer regarding your rights.

The Facts of the Case

It is reported that the decedent went to an urgent care facility funded by the federal government, with complaints of shortness of breath and chest pain lasting a week. He underwent an EKG which was reviewed by the attending physician’s assistant, who assessed it as “OK” but noted a “few PVCs.” She diagnosed the decedent with gastroesophageal reflux disease and sent him home. The following morning, the decedent was found deceased. An autopsy revealed the cause of his death to be a cardiac arrhythmia which was caused by arteriosclerotic heart disease.

Allegedly, the plaintiff filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the defendant pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act (the Act). The plaintiff’s expert subsequently opined that if the physician’s assistant had complied with the standard of care, the decedent’s condition would have been properly treated, and he would still be alive. The parties proceeded to mediation and were able to reach a settlement agreement. The plaintiff then filed a motion for approval of the settlement. Continue Reading ›

Contact Information