Syracuse Personal Injury Law Blog

Cardiomyopathy is a heart muscle disease. A defect causes the heart muscle to become weakened, swollen, or lopsided, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. Cardiomyopathy affects infants eight times more than any other demographic. Cardiomyopathy, like myocarditis, can lead to congestive heart failure, which is caused by fluid buildup in the heart, lungs, or other organs.

Pediatric cardiology is a special type of pediatric medicine. In general, pediatric care has very few medical errors; however, more complicated, life-threatening diseases have twice the number of medical errors as other medical complications. As children’s systems are still developing and they are generally small in size, it is difficult to predict how their systems will react to complex and invasive medical testing and treatments. Furthermore, children are frequently unable to articulate their symptoms in a detailed and understandable manner.  Pediatric cardiology is a very unique condition to treat, resulting in unusual conditions that can lead to errors. Because few children suffer from cardiac problems, the overall possibility of error is low, but it does occur. However, since there are fewer patients, errors are more common in this area. As a result of less experience in treating these diseases, fewer protocols, fewer established diagnostic methods, and a lack of equipment to treat these diseases, medical errors are on the rise.

Other factors that contribute to medical errors in pediatric cardiology patients include a general lack of awareness of these problems, which frequently results in physicians failing to diagnose or consider cardiac conditions, the frailty of critically ill patients, and the fact that symptoms of heart disease can also correlate with a wide range of other possible conditions. For these reasons, pediatricians frequently test other options before considering a cardiac condition. This significantly delays diagnosis and treatment, potentially causing the child to suffer greatly or even die. If your child was harmed as a result of medical malpractice involving heart failure, you should consult with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. Our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano may be able to assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.  We serve clients throughout Upstate New York and have offices in several convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the field of medical malpractice is reflected in the results we have obtained for our clients.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging test that uses magnetic pulses in conjunction with radio wave energy to view internal organs and other areas of the body. An MRI is a specialized piece of equipment with unique requirements. The MRI is not the same as a CT scan. During an MRI, the patient’s body is placed in a unit and must remain motionless for some time while the imaging is performed. Medical personnel who operate MRI machines must be properly trained in their use.

According to a recent lawsuit, a woman was injured during an MRI procedure. The woman claims that the machine was not properly operated and that the MRI machine was too small. As a result, the woman sustained physical injuries to the left side of her body. The injuries included burns due to her placement on the equipment. The woman states that the injuries were very severe and very painful. The lawsuit does not indicate whether the injuries were permanent, however, burn injuries often require continued medical treatment including the possibility of skin grafts to repair the damage. Additionally, the woman will likely have scarring and disfigurement because of the burns to her body. These injuries could have been prevented if the technicians were more careful while operating the machine. The equipment may not have been large enough to accommodate the woman, or she may have been positioned incorrectly on the table. Whatever the reason, the woman was injured because of the negligent care she received. The medical personnel should have been more cautious and noticed that the woman was not properly aligned to fit into the machine.

When a patient suffers a serious injury because of negligent care, it is considered medical malpractice. In this instance, the woman may request damages to cover her medical expenses, lost wages, future treatments, and pain and suffering caused by the injury.  If you or someone you love was injured due to an improperly performed MRI procedure, contact our office today.  At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano, our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve.  We help clients throughout Upstate New York, with offices in multiple convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the medical malpractice field is reflected in the results we have achieved for our clients.

For parents, the worries associated with impending parenthood begin long before their child is born. Unfortunately, birth injuries can occur at any time during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, or the postnatal period. One of the most serious birth injuries is hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).  Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a type of brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen or blood flow to the brain for an extended period of time. According to a Newborn Infant and Nursing Review article, HIE occurs in 1.5 to 2.5 of every 1,000 live births in developed countries. Surprisingly, despite advances in obstetric care, the rate of HIE has not decreased over the last few decades.

HIE occurs as a result of an event that deprives the newborn’s brain of oxygen or blood flow before, during, or after birth. When a baby’s developing brain is deprived of oxygen and blood, the cells rapidly decay and die. It is not always clear what event prevents oxygen or blood flow to the brain. However, there are a number of risk factors and potential causes to consider. Problems with blood flow to the placenta, preeclampsia, maternal diabetes with vascular disease, congenital fetal infections, drug or alcohol abuse, severe fetal anemia, heart disease, and lung malformations are all prenatal risk factors. Intrapartum risk factors include umbilical cord problems, placental abruption or uterine rupture, excessive placental bleeding, abnormal fetal position, such as breech position, prolonged late stages of labor, and very low blood pressure in the mother. Severe prematurity, severe lung or heart disease, serious infections, brain or skull trauma, very low blood pressure in the baby, and respiratory failure or cardiac arrest are all postnatal risk factors.

When doctors and nurses miss critical signs that the baby is in distress during delivery, this is considered medical malpractice. The actions or inactions of the medical team can deprive the baby of oxygen, causing profound brain damage.  This would lead to the infant requiring extensive resuscitation before they could start breathing on their own, resulting in permanent brain damage that would limit their mental and physical abilities for the rest of their life. If you or your baby suffered injury as the result of medical malpractice, call our office today.  At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano, our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys may be able to help you collect the compensation you deserve.  We help clients throughout Upstate New York, with offices in multiple convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the medical malpractice field is reflected in the results we have achieved for our clients.

Gastroparesis, also known as delayed gastric emptying, is a condition in which the stomach takes an abnormally long time to empty its contents. The stomach normally contracts to move food down into the small intestine for digestion. The vagus nerve regulates the passage of food from the stomach to the digestive tract. Gastroparesis occurs when the vagus nerve is damaged, and the stomach and intestine muscles do not function normally. The food then moves slowly or stops moving completely through the digestive tract.  With gastroparesis, the stomach is partially paralyzed.  This means that the stomach is unable to digest food and empty its contents properly. Depending on the individual, gastroparesis symptoms can be mild or severe. Symptoms may occur frequently in some people but less frequently in others. Many people with gastroparesis have a variety of symptoms, and the disorder is sometimes difficult to diagnose. Gastroparesis symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, a decreased appetite, heartburn, pain in the upper abdomen, an early feeling of fullness after only a few bites of food, weight loss due to poor nutrient absorption or low-calorie intake, abdominal bloating, high and low blood glucose levels, a lack of appetite, and gastroesophageal reflux.

One of the most frequent causes of gastroparesis occurs when a surgeon cuts, severs, damages, compresses, or traps the vagus nerve during a bariatric or other gastrointestinal procedure. Because the vagus nerve regulates the stomach, it can cause gastroparesis if it stops working or is not working properly. The standard of care requires surgeons to locate and protect nerves and blood vessels during an operation or procedure. In other words, vagus nerve damage should not occur and when it does, it is usually the result of medical malpractice.  If you or someone you love has suffered because of a healthcare provider’s surgical error, call our office today.  Our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano may be able to assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.  We serve clients throughout Upstate New York and have offices in several convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the field of medical malpractice is reflected in the results we have obtained for our clients.

Several tests are available to help doctors diagnose gastroparesis. It is not a condition that should be diagnosed without the completion of the following tests:

If a person has a medical problem that necessitates medical attention or is simply going in for their annual check-up, anything they discuss with their doctor is kept between them and the healthcare provider. The physician is legally obligated to uphold a doctor-patient confidentiality agreement, which is based on the idea that a patient should never be afraid to seek medical treatment for fear of private medical information being disclosed to others. If a patient discovers that the information they shared with their doctor was mishandled or shared with others without their consent, this is a violation of the doctor-patient confidentiality agreement, and they may be able to sue their healthcare provider for medical malpractice. A knowledgeable medical malpractice attorney can thoroughly review the case and advise you on the best legal course of action.  At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano, our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys may be able to help you collect the compensation you deserve.  We help clients throughout Upstate New York, with offices in multiple convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the medical malpractice field is reflected in the results we have achieved for our clients.

A person’s health is a very personal matter, especially if they have specific health issues that they do not feel comfortable discussing with others. Doctor-patient confidentiality is important because it allows patients to feel more comfortable sharing medical information. Furthermore, the more information the doctor has about the patient, the better he or she will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and provide the best care possible.

Once the doctor-patient relationship is established, the physician is not permitted to disclose any medical information without the patient’s permission. The duty of confidentiality does not end when the patient is no longer under the physician’s care. It lasts as long as the patient does, and it even lasts after the patient dies. The following are covered by the agreement:

Compartment syndrome occurs when swelling or bleeding in an area creates excessive pressure within a particular muscle compartment area of the body. A recent physical injury is usually the cause of compartmentalized bleeding or swelling. The pressure can prevent blood from flowing to the affected area, necessitating emergency surgery. Failure to recognize the signs and symptoms of compartment syndrome, as well as failure to rule out this condition, can result in medical malpractice lawsuits.

The most common type of compartment syndrome is acute compartment syndrome which is typically caused by a broken arm or leg. Acute compartment syndrome develops rapidly over hours or days and can result from the fracture itself, pressure from bleeding or swelling, or later as a result of fracture treatment.  If you have been injured because of negligence or medical malpractice, it is critical that you contact our attorneys. As a victim, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano may be able to assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.  We serve clients throughout Upstate New York and have offices in several convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the field of medical malpractice is reflected in the results we have obtained for our clients.

Muscles, organs, and other body parts are generally divided into areas known as “compartments.” Internal segment walls of connective tissue known as fascia separate these compartments within the body. When there is a physical injury, fluid and/or blood will frequently accumulate and cause swelling within the injured compartment of the body. The fascia tissue that forms the walls separating the various compartments is not very elastic. As a result, when swelling occurs because of an injury, the pressure within the compartment frequently rises significantly. When compartmental pressure reaches a certain level, it prevents normal blood circulation to the tissue or organs within the compartment. Those organs or tissue can quickly decay if there is no constant supply of oxygen from blood flow. This can have serious ramifications, including functional loss and, in some cases, death. The arms, legs, and abdominal area are the body parts most prone to compartment syndrome.

A Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, is an exam used by doctors to screen women for cervical cancer. It can also detect changes in your cervical cells that could lead to cancer later on.  Early detection of cancer gives you the best chance of beating it.

Pap smears are critical for detecting precancerous cells in the body and eliminating them before they spread further. Pap smears are performed in a gynecologist’s office by swabbing the patient’s cervix during a pelvic exam. When administered and read correctly, this test can truly be a lifesaver. However, it is possible that a doctor was in a hurry, fatigued, or distracted and misread a patient’s Pap smear results. This is a critical error that can permanently alter a patient’s life.

Inadequate pap smear results can occur in a variety of circumstances. A technician who collects the cells, a pathologist or technician who interprets the data, or a physician who counsels patients about follow-up care can all make mistakes. Because the pap test is the primary screening tool for cervical cancer, diagnosis errors are most commonly caused by the test’s results. In addition to properly administering and interpreting the test, physicians must thoroughly investigate reports of unusual symptoms such as pelvic pain, unusual discharge, or blood in the urine or stool, and follow cervical cancer monitoring and diagnosis protocols.  If you believe your doctor not only misread your pap smear results but also failed to provide you with accurate information about when your next test is due, please contact our office immediately. Our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano may be able to assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.  We serve clients throughout Upstate New York and have offices in several convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the field of medical malpractice is reflected in the results we have obtained for our clients.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disease that affects many aspects of a woman’s health, most notably menstruation and metabolism. There are several signs that a woman may have PCOS that include missed periods, pelvic pain, high glucose or insulin levels, excess weight gain, and fatigue.  One of the primary reasons that PCOS is so often misdiagnosed is that the symptoms can mimic other illnesses such as fibroids. Because those with PCOS often have hormonal imbalances, medical professionals will usually run blood tests, discuss patient history, and conduct an ultrasound on the patient’s ovaries. PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterized by enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the periphery. The cause of polycystic ovarian syndrome isn’t well understood but may involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Menstrual irregularities, excessive hair growth, acne, and obesity are all symptoms. Treatments include birth control pills to regularize periods, a medication called metformin to prevent diabetes, statins to control high cholesterol, hormones to increase fertility, and procedures to remove excess hair.

Women who suffer from PCOS are disproportionally impacted by infertility. Additionally, women with a history of this illness that has gone undiagnosed may experience extreme symptoms. Diagnosing a disease like PCOS may require a doctor to work through a series of potential scenarios before arriving at the right diagnosis, but in some cases, a doctor’s failure to diagnose may be negligent. One difference between the two from a legal standpoint is whether a person received a reasonable standard of care based on what other doctors would have done in similar circumstances. People who feel that their misdiagnosis constitutes medical malpractice might want to begin by discussing the situation with an attorney to see if the right elements and evidence may be in place to build a strong case. For a successful lawsuit, the injured party must also demonstrate they were harmed by the doctor’s medical negligence.  If your PCOS has been misdiagnosed, you should consider consulting with a medical malpractice attorney. They will be in the best position to help you get compensated for your losses along with the proper treatment you need. Gather your medical records and information about your doctor’s appointments before meeting with an attorney. This will assist your attorney in better assessing your situation and advising you on the next steps in your claim. Our highly experienced medical malpractice attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano may be able to assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.  We serve clients throughout Upstate New York and have offices in several convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the field of medical malpractice is reflected in the results we have obtained for our clients.

PCOS affects approximately 12% of women.  It can be difficult to detect in teens because some of its symptoms, including irregular menstruation, are also normal occurrences in puberty. Researchers say that an earlier and more accurate diagnosis means that the disease could be managed more effectively. Doctors are sometimes hesitant to treat teens for PCOS when they cannot get a definite diagnosis.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a type of severe, acute lung dysfunction caused by illness or injury that affects all or most of both lungs. Although it is commonly referred to as adult respiratory distress syndrome, it can also affect children. ARDS is caused by a buildup of fluid in the lungs’ small air sacs. This makes getting oxygen into the bloodstream difficult. Breathing difficulties, excessively deep and rapid breathing, and low levels of oxygen in the circulating blood are all possible symptoms. ARDS can occur as a result of widespread infection in the body or as a result of pneumonia, trauma, shock, severe burns, aspiration of food into the lung, multiple blood transfusions, and inhalation of toxic fumes, among other things. It usually manifests itself within 24 to 48 hours of the initial illness or injury and is classified as a medical emergency.

Although there is no cure for ARDS, there are treatment options that can aid in lung healing. Even with treatment, the condition is frequently fatal. More than half of those who develop the syndrome die because of it. Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a lung injury that can occur as a result of medical malpractice. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cases of ARDS caused by medical professionals’ negligence by a physician’s inability to prevent excessive blood loss, failure to detect, prevent, or treat infections, incorrect administration of a blood transfusion, a surgical procedure error, and medication dosage errors and cross-reactions. If you or a loved one is suffering from the effects of ARDS because of a healthcare provider’s mistake, you may be able to take legal action. The highly experienced attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano have obtained millions in verdicts and settlements for medical and pediatric malpractice victims.  We serve clients throughout Upstate New York and have offices in several convenient locations. Our extensive experience in the field of medical malpractice is reflected in the results we have obtained for our clients.

Each year, approximately 150,000 cases of ARDS are reported in the United States. The progression of ARDS varies greatly across the country due to different definitions of the disease, demographics, and healthcare system differences. Acute respiratory distress syndrome can affect people of any age who have a lung injury or illness. The incidence rises with age, from 16 affected individuals per 100,000 in people aged 15 to 19 to 306 affected individuals per 100,000 in people aged 75 to 84. When ARDS is associated with sepsis or most other causes, there is no difference in incidence between men and women. When trauma is the underlying cause of ARDS, the incidence is slightly higher in females. Despite advances in our understanding of ARDS over the last two decades, the in-hospital mortality rate remains at 40-50%, with the majority of deaths occurring within the first few weeks of disease onset.