Failure to Diagnose

Published on: November 28, 2018

New York Woman Wins Malpractice Suit for Failure to Diagnose Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged. It is a progressive disease, which means timely diagnosis and treatment is imperative to correcting or improving the condition. If you suffered serious vision problems as a result of a medical provider’s carelessness, you may have a right to compensation. Our reputable medical malpractice advocates in Syracuse can examine your incident and decide whether a medical professional’s incompetence or error was a factor in your injury.

A New York woman who went blind after physicians misdiagnosed her glaucoma has won a multi-million dollar award against the hospital. The woman was seven months pregnant and just 20 years old when she went to the medical center complaining of blurred vision and pressure around her eyes during prenatal check ups. According to the lawsuit, doctors never diagnosed her with glaucoma even though she visited the hospital six times indicating the same symptoms every time. Two months later, the woman could not even see her newborn son when the doctor placed him on her chest. Several weeks later, she was officially diagnosed with glaucoma. By the time she had surgery for the condition one month later, it was too late and she was left 90 percent blind. After just a few hours of deliberation, the jury awarded her $15 million in damages.

New York Medical Malpractice Claims

Medical malpractice can be the cause of glaucoma related vision loss if the doctor failed to recognize the signs and symptoms of a patient’s glaucoma, or if the doctor failed to treat the condition properly. Failing to diagnose or misdiagnosing glaucoma can be the fault of primary care doctors, internists, optometrists or an ophthalmologist. Doctors are required to provide patients with a certain standard of care. The standard of care is typically the level of care and caution that a medical professional in the same specialty would have used under the same or similar circumstances. In order to obtain compensation for a diagnostic error related to glaucoma, you will need to prove that the mistake made by doctor was the direct and proximate of the injury.

Published on: November 1, 2018

Issues Associated with Lyme Disease Medical Malpractice in and around Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Lyme disease can have a devastating impact on a patient’s life. If you have suffered harm because a doctor failed to diagnose or treat Lyme disease properly, you may have a medical malpractice case on your hands. Our Syracuse medical negligence attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of medical malpractice pursue the compensation they rightfully deserve for their injuries. These cases are very difficult and it is vital to have a skilled legal advocate who can provide advice and assistance throughout your case.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Borrelia, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Symptoms commonly associated with the disease include fatigue, headache, fever and a skin rash that looks like a bulls eye. This distinct rash is the hallmark of the infection. The disease is often misdiagnosed for two main reasons: the disease can affect each person differently and the symptoms of the disease often resemble the symptoms of other conditions. Left undiagnosed and untreated, however, Lyme disease can affect your joints, heart and nervous system.

Published on: October 9, 2018

Epilepsy Malpractice in Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

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: September 4, 2018

Failure to Diagnose a Stroke in Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

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 21, 2018

Medical Malpractice Related to COPD in Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

If you or someone close to you was not diagnosed with COPD in a timely manner or was misdiagnosed with COPD, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our seasoned Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys understand how daunting it is to deal with a medical injury, which is why we are committed to evaluating your case and helping you understand your legal rights and options.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. It is an umbrella term to describe lung conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and refractory asthma. COPD is a progressive incurable disease, but it can be managed with the correct diagnosis and treatment. It is caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. Individuals with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and a wide range of other conditions.

COPD was once considered an “old man’s disease,” but this is no longer the case. Many younger people, including women, are suffering from the condition compared to patients in the past. It has been estimated that 210 million people around the world suffer from COPD. Of those numbers, nearly 27 million are in the United States. Doctors may suspect COPD when their patients exhibit certain symptoms, such as mucus-producing coughs that will not go away, shortness of breath that worsens after physical activity, or tightness in the chest. To make a COPD diagnosis, a physician will evaluate the patient’s symptoms, medical history, family history, diagnostic test results, and factors such as whether or not the patient smokes.

Published on: May 9, 2018

Aortic Dissection Malpractice in Syracuse

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

If you believe that you or someone close to you has suffered harm due to a doctor’s error related to the diagnosis or treatment of aortic dissection, we can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys can help you through the most complex malpractice claims. You can rest assured that we are committed to building strong cases for each and every client so that they can obtain the justice they deserve.

An aortic dissection is a medical emergency that must be treated promptly. The term refers to a tear in the inner layer of the aortic wall, which results in bleeding into the wall. Put another way, an aortic dissection is a serious condition in which the inner layer of the aorta tears, and blood surges through the tear, causing the inner and middle layers of the aorta to separate (dissect). The rest of the body has decreased blood flow and oxygen, while the heart becomes flooded under pressure. Since the heart now has to work harder, it can result in a heart attack or stroke. In addition, if the blood-filled channel ruptures through the outside wall, aortic dissection is often fatal.

Aortic dissection can easily be misdiagnosed, especially in a hectic emergency room setting, for a number of other conditions, such as a stroke, because the common symptoms are so general. Patients with high blood pressure are at a greater risk for aortic dissection, so their physicians should be closely monitoring the patient’s cardiac health. This is why thorough testing is critical to discovering and treating aortic dissection properly. Medical professionals will typically perform a CT scan, which is generally the starting point when aortic dissection is suspected, since it is a very accurate test.

Published on: April 18, 2018

Failure to Diagnose Pancreatic Cancer in New York

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

If you or someone close to you has been a victim of a pancreatic cancer misdiagnosis or a missed diagnosis entirely, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our experienced Syracuse cancer misdiagnosis attorneys are committed to holding negligent medical professionals accountable for the harm that they cause. We can provide support to you and aggressively advocate for your rights at every step of the way.

Pancreatic cancer begins in the cells of the pancreas, an organ located in your abdomen that lies horizontally behind the lower part of the stomach. Pancreatic cancer generally spreads to other nearby organs quite quickly. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), pancreatic cancer accounts for approximately three percent of all cancer cases in the United States and about seven percent of all cancer deaths. ACS estimates that about 55,440 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2018, and about 44,330 people will die of the disease.

In pancreatic cancer cases, the timely recognition of early warning signs can be the difference between life and death. It is vital for doctors to order appropriate tests and to read these tests properly. Doctors are trained to recognize certain signs and risk factors for pancreatic cancer, including but not limited to smoking, being overweight or obese, age (over 45), family history of the disease, diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, or stomach conditions.

Published on: March 29, 2018

Appendicitis Malpractice in Syracuse and New York

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

A failure to diagnose appendicitis can result in a serious injury or even death to a patient. If you believe your doctor misdiagnosed your symptoms or failed to diagnose appendicitis in a timely manner, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys have helped many New York clients resolve their personal injury claims, and we can help you as well. You can rest assured that we are committed to holding negligent medical professionals accountable for the harm that they cause.

Appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix and causes pain in your lower abdomen. In most people, the pain begins in the navel and then moves. As the inflammation worsens, the pain increases. While anyone can develop appendicitis, it is most common in people between the ages of 10 and 30. Standard treatment for the condition is the surgical removal of the appendix to avoid the danger of rupture. A ruptured appendix can result in the leaking of infection-causing organisms into the abdominal cavity, which can lead to serious health complications and even death. Appendicitis may be misdiagnosed for any of the following reasons:

Improper physical examination;

Published on: January 9, 2018

Failure to Diagnose Heart Attack in Syracuse and Across New York

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

If you have been injured or your loved one has died due to a medical professional’s failure to correctly diagnose a heart attack, you may be able to recover compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys understand how to navigate these complex claims and can put our knowledge to use in your case.

A heart attack happens when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle itself is seriously reduced or stopped. Put another way, a heart attack takes place when there is inadequate blood supply to the heart. When blood flow is restricted, the heart muscle starts to fail, resulting in severe chest pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone dies from a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States. About 20 percent of cardiac events are characterized as “silent,” meaning the victim is unaware that the heart attack occurred, even though the body is dealing with the detrimental effects.

In most cases, a patient will experience certain things before the onset of a heart attack, such as chest pain, left shoulder pain, nausea, fainting or light-headedness, cold sweats, and having difficulty breathing. In addition to these signs, certain patients often have higher risk factors for heart attacks, some of which include high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, lack of physical activity, and diabetes.