When people seek care in a hospital setting, they expect to receive careful monitoring and timely treatment. Unfortunately, the care offered often falls below what is considered acceptable, and people suffer from serious complications that sometimes occur not because of illness alone but because medical providers fail to act when action is most critical. In these situations, families are left to wonder whether negligence played a role in the outcome. A recent New York ruling demonstrates how courts analyze expert testimony and competing claims in medical malpractice cases. If you or a family member suffered harm following treatment in a hospital, speaking with a knowledgeable Syracuse medical malpractice attorney can help you understand your legal options and whether you may be entitled to compensation.
Facts of the Case
It is reported that the plaintiff’s decedent, who had a history of diabetes, hypertension, and other health issues, was admitted to the defendant hospital for treatment. While under the hospital’s care, the decedent allegedly developed complications that included respiratory distress and cardiac issues. Despite various interventions by the hospital staff, the decedent’s condition deteriorated, and the decedent ultimately passed away.
It is further reported that the plaintiff, as administrator of the decedent’s estate, commenced an action against the defendant hospital, asserting claims of medical malpractice and wrongful death. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant’s staff failed to provide appropriate monitoring, treatment, and timely interventions, and that such departures from the standard of care directly caused the decedent’s death.
Treatment of Conflicting Expert Reports in Medical Malpractice Cases
Allegedly, the defendant hospital moved for summary judgment, arguing that its medical staff adhered to accepted standards of care throughout the decedent’s treatment. The hospital submitted expert testimony indicating that the decedent’s decline was attributable to preexisting conditions and the natural progression of serious disease, rather than negligence on the part of its providers. The trial court denied the hospital’s motion for summary judgment, and the hospital appealed.
On appeal, the court began by reaffirming the standards governing summary judgment in medical malpractice cases. A defendant must establish, through admissible evidence, that there was no departure from accepted medical practice or that any alleged departure was not a proximate cause of the patient’s harm. Once a defendant meets this initial burden, the plaintiff must then produce expert testimony sufficient to raise a triable issue of fact.
The court determined that the hospital met its prima facie burden by submitting expert affidavits demonstrating that the care rendered conformed to professional standards and that the decedent’s death was the result of preexisting medical conditions. However, the court noted that the plaintiff opposed the motion with expert testimony raising substantial questions as to whether the hospital staff failed to recognize and address significant changes in the decedent’s condition. The plaintiff’s expert opined that prompt and appropriate interventions could have prevented the deterioration that led to death.
Given these conflicting expert opinions, the appellate court concluded that summary judgment was not warranted. The presence of factual disputes regarding the adequacy of the hospital’s monitoring and treatment required resolution by a jury. Accordingly, the court affirmed the lower court’s denial of the hospital’s motion for summary judgment.
Meet with an Assertive Syracuse Medical Malpractice Attorney
Medical malpractice cases frequently hinge on expert testimony and the question of whether medical providers acted within the accepted standard of care. As such, when conflicting expert opinions exist, courts are reluctant to resolve the matter without a trial. If you or a loved one suffered serious harm as a result of potential medical negligence, the experienced Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers are here to help. Call us today at 833-200-2000 or contact us online to schedule a free and confidential consultation.