Syracuse Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Published on: October 18, 2018

Balloon Angioplasty Malpractice in Syracuse

medical procedure If you believe that you or a family member has been injured because of a balloon angioplasty related error, you can potentially obtain financial recovery for your injury. Our Syracuse medical negligence advocates believe that medical professionals should put patient safety first and should be held accountable for any preventable harm that they cause. Cases involving angioplasties can be incredibly complicated but we understand how to evaluate them.

What is Balloon Angioplasty

Coronary artery disease is caused by the build-up of cholesterol plaque in the arteries leading to the heart. A coronary artery block may put an individual at risk for a fatal heart attack. A balloon angioplasty is a common surgical procedure used to reduce coronary artery blockage. The procedure involves widening of a blocked or narrow blood vessel through a balloon catheter. Specifically, a balloon-tipped catheter is temporarily inserted into the clogged artery to enlarge it.

Published on: October 9, 2018

Epilepsy Malpractice in Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

seizure disorders If you have been misdiagnosed or mistreated for epilepsy or seizure disorder, we can assist. The Syracuse medical negligence trial attorneys at our firm can help hold negligent physicians accountable for the harm that they cause. You can rely on the fact that we are committed to acting in your best interests, providing you with reliable legal advice and supporting you each step of the way. Above all, we will aim to secure the payment you need to deal with the injuries you suffered.

What is Epilepsy?

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. The brain communicates with the spinal cord, nerves and muscles via electrical impulses. When electrical activity in the brain is abnormal, a person can have a seizure. Epilepsy is the term use to denote “seizure disorder.” In other words, epilepsy refers to the condition of having recurrent, unprovoked seizures.

Published on: October 4, 2018

Pediatric Malpractice in Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

medical documentation When you take your child to the doctor, you expect to receive competent care. If your child sustained an injury due to a pediatrician’s negligence, you might be able to recover compensation for the child’s harm. Our reputable Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys will examine every detail of your case to determine whether malpractice occurred. If we accept your case, you can take comfort in the fact that we will vigorously advocate for your rights every step of the way.

Examples of Pediatric Errors

Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that pertains to the medical care of infants, children and adolescents. Pediatric errors can cause severe damage at an early age and can impact the child’s entire life. Common examples of such errors include, but are not limited to:

Birth injuries;
Failure to diagnose serious infection;
Surgical errors;
Medication errors;
Diagnostic errors; and/or
Emergency room malpractice.

Published on: October 1, 2018

Hospital Sued for Malpractice After Boy Suffers Severe Brain Damage

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

monetary judgment Cerebral palsy is a devastating birth injury that can have lifetime consequences for a child. If your child has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, you have the right to know if it was the result of medical malpractice. Our reputable Syracuse cerebral palsy attorneys will investigate the circumstances of your injury to determine if malpractice occurred.

A jury recently awarded the family of a boy $130 million in a medical negligence case after he suffered severe brain damage at a Detroit hospital, resulting in cerebral palsy. According to the complaint, technicians at the hospital failed to give chest compressions to the boy when it was required and his brain was deprived of oxygen leading to permanent injury. The boy was just two months old when the injury took place in 2006. He is now 12-years-old and requires a lot of assistance in day-to-day life, including needing help getting in and out of the bathtub. The boy’s mother looks after him full time. The jury made its decision after a three-week civil trial. The hospital plans to appeal.

Suing for Birth Injuries

Damage to the developing brain during or after birth can cause cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a broad medical term used to describe many neurological disorders that affect movement and muscle coordination. While the condition does not worsen over time, it can have a costly and lifelong impact on an individual’s life. Cerebral palsy is often the result of a lack of oxygen to the brain at birth, decreased blood flow to the brain, or trauma and hemorrhage can injure the brain tissue.

Published on: September 25, 2018

Complications Arising from Untreated Jaundice in New York Newborns

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

young child The birth of a child is supposed to be one of the happiest times in your life, but it can quickly become stressful when something goes wrong. If your doctor failed to diagnose or treat infant jaundice, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our hard-working Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys have the determination, skill and experience to handle your case. We will analyze the circumstances surrounding your child’s injury to determine if there is enough evidence to file a lawsuit.

Jaundice, also referred to as hyperbilirubinemia, is characterized by a yellowish discoloration of the eyes and skin of a newborn infant. This happens because the baby’s blood contains excessive amounts of bilirubin, a pigment that is released when red blood cells are broken down. Under normal circumstances, the liver removes bilirubin from the body, but in some newborn children, the liver is not mature enough to do this properly. When jaundice is not identified and goes untreated, a condition called kernicterus can develop. Kernicterus is a type of brain damage caused by very high levels of bilirubin in the blood.

Six out of every ten children are born with some degree of jaundice that is diagnosed as a relatively minor condition. Most infants recover from jaundice on their own with non-invasive treatments; however, if jaundice is severe or goes untreated then newborns may experience severe health problems such as hearing loss, vision problems, intellectual disabilities and even cerebral palsy.

Published on: September 18, 2018

Physician Assistant Malpractice in Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

arm injury Physician assistants (PA) play a valuable role in the overall healthcare system by working with physicians to deliver care. If you or someone close to you has been injured due to the negligence of a physician’s assistant, you may be able to recover compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our reputable Syracuse medical malpractice lawyers can analyze the facts of your case and make sure you understand your legal rights and options.

A Nevada physician assistant who was dubbed a “danger to public health” is in serious trouble. While A.L. is not a doctor, she is facing 18-new counts of alleged disreputable conduct and medical malpractice. These charges are based on A.L.’s conduct from 2012.

A.L. allegedly falsified records, overprescribed dangerous drugs and even used expired and black-market medications. When she lost her medical license, she found new ways to keep practicing. Earlier this month, she pleaded guilty in district court to prescribing controlled substances using the stolen DEA number of her former supervising physician. In addition, A.L. performed medical services on her own that she was not allowed to perform without supervision from a doctor.

Published on: September 11, 2018

New York Court of Appeals Rules Jury Had Ample Evidence to Make Conclusion

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

expert testimony If you or someone close to you has been injured due to a medical professional’s negligence, you need to consult a seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice attorney right away. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we have helped many New York clients obtain a fair outcome in their case and can help you as well.

In Clark v. Loftus, the plaintiff commenced a medical malpractice action as a result of complications after a surgical procedure performed by the defendant doctor. At trial, plaintiff and defendants presented contradictory expert testimony regarding the defendant’s alleged negligence. The Supreme Court of the State of New York provided the jury instructions on the doctrine of res ipsa loquitor. “Res ipsa loquitur” is latin for “the thing that speaks for itself.” When a case is tried under the theory of res ipsa loquitur, the circumstantial evidence in the case is so strong that it eliminates other possible causes of the patient’s injury other than the defendant’s negligence.

The jury returned a verdict in favor of the defendant and the plaintiff moved to set aside the verdict as against the weight of the evidence for a new trial. In other words, the plaintiff sought judgment notwithstanding the verdict. The court granted the plaintiff’s motion, reasoning that the verdict was against the weight of the evidence and directed a new trial on the issue of negligence, including the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur. The appellate court reversed the order and reinstated the verdict.

Published on: September 7, 2018

Tonsillectomy Malpractice in Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

hospital bed You may think that a tonsillectomy is a routine procedure with hardly any risks but the reality is that if a surgeon is not careful, the patient can suffer severe injury. If you or someone close to you has suffered harm due to a botched tonsillectomy, you need to reach out to a skilled Syracuse medical malpractice attorney who can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we will thoroughly investigate your situation to determine the viability of your claim.

Your tonsils are part of your immune system. They are located at the back of your throat and come in three types, all of which work to fight infections. Sometimes, however, tonsils become sore, inflamed and infected. If this happens and persists for a while, your doctor may recommend a procedure to remove tonsils known as a tonsillectomy. In other words, a tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils. While this procedure is used to treat tonsillitis, it is also used to treat sleep-disordered breathing. It may also be used to treat rare diseases of the tonsils. Individuals under the age of 15 are most likely to undergo this procedure.

Despite the routine nature of the surgery, there is still the possibility for negligence and error on the part of a medical professional. For instance, since tonsils are located by veins, there is a possibility for complications related to bleeding if the surgeon is not extremely careful. Another way a patient could be injured is if the surgeon fails to remove all of the tonsils and tonsil tissue grows back. Of course, there are numerous examples of the types of mistakes that can be made and you can rest assured we will identify any such errors made in your case.

Published on: September 4, 2018

Failure to Diagnose a Stroke in Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

medical assessment A stroke can be mild or it can be severe with devastating consequences for a patient. Whether a stroke victim is misdiagnosed or sent home from the hospital without treatment, the serious damage that takes place due to the delay in stroke treatment is often irreversible. If you or someone close to you has suffered harm due to a diagnostic issue related to a stroke, we can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys understand that a stroke is a common and potentially life-threatening occurrence for patients of all ages. We will analyze the facts of your case and make every effort to get you the compensation you deserve for your harm.

Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States, killing approximately 150,000 people and causing severe disability to several hundred thousand more each year. A stroke is defined as the sudden death of brain cells due to a lack of oxygen. Essentially, a stroke takes place when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, resulting in abnormal brain function. It is caused by the blockage or rupture of an artery to the brain. According to the American Stroke Association, quick treatment for a stroke can save lives.

Because symptoms of a stroke can resemble other medical problems (i.e., migraines), misdiagnosis is a common problem. However, that does not mean the doctor is off the hook legally. Failure to diagnose a stroke can take many forms, from failing to identify the stroke as it is happening or overlooking signs of an impending stroke. Consequences of an undiagnosed stroke or misdiagnosed stroke may include brain injury, more severe stroke, paralysis, seizures, loss of motor skills, memory problems, difficulty speaking, pain, behavioral issues and even death.

Published on: August 28, 2018

Medical Malpractice Caused by Failure to Treat High Blood Pressure

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Untreated hypertension can lead to severe damage of blood vessels and major organs. In the most severe cases, untreated hypertension can lead to death. If you believe you or someone close to you has suffered harm due to a medical professional’s negligence in treating your high blood pressure, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys can evaluate your case and inform you of your legal rights and options. Legal News Gavel

Blood pressure is the force exerted by the blood against the walls of the blood vessels. The pressure depends on the work being done by the heart and the resistance of the blood vessels. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. According to the American Heart Association, a patient has high blood pressure if he or she has a systolic blood pressure (i.e., the force of blood during heartbeats) reading of 130 mmHg or higher and a diastolic blood pressure (i.e., the force of blood while the heart is resting) reading of 80 mmHg or higher. Normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 mmHg.

Having high blood pressure can put a person at risk for heart disease, which is currently the number one cause of death among Americans. In fact, high blood pressure can lead to severe complications and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and even death. Approximately 85 million people in the United States have high blood pressure.