For New York residents, one of the worst pieces of news the doctor can provide is a diagnosis of cancer. Even worse, however, is the failure to diagnose cancer that exists so patients can get timely treatment. For one man in New York, the diagnosis of skin cancer may have come too late for effective treatment.
Mothers- and fathers-to-be place a lot of trust in doctors and medical staff when it comes to the delivery of a healthy baby. Sometimes, unavoidable issues occur during pregnancy that result in birth problems or unhealthy infants. In some cases, obstetric negligence results in the injury or death of a baby. For one couple, brain injuries following the delivery of their baby resulted in tragic consequences.
The New York Supreme Court has dismissed a lawsuit against New York Presbyterian Hospital filed by the estate of one of its doctors who committed suicide using propofol. The 2011 suicide came less than a year after the anesthesiology resident finished a hospital-affiliated rehabilitation program for addiction to the substance. After completing the 6-week program, she was allowed to return to work, and eventually to duty in the operating room, where she had “easy access” to the drug. Two months later, she announced that she was going to be resigning. The next day, she killed herself with a propofol overdose.
New York residents who are dealing with mental illness themselves or with mentally ill friends and family expect to place a certain amount of trust in behavioral health staff. In another state, a case against a psychiatrist alleges doctor negligence and unprofessional conduct. Complaints include that the doctor made medication errors and ignored the needs of a pediatric patient.
Whether patients are exposed to hazards or tainted equipment, or staff is put at risk due to unclean hospital facilities, organizational negligence can cause serious consequences for many. Hospital negligence can impact doctors and nurses as well as patients. In a recent case against a New York hospital, plaintiffs claim that negligence caused the death of a doctor.
A New York couple is coping from the effects of an unusual set of circumstances which complicated an organ donation. A man was in need of a kidney transplant, and his wife was a perfect candidate. She passed all of the tests, and her kidney was perfectly healthy. However, as a result of surgical error the kidney had failed, and he now needs another transplant. The gift his wife gave has been negated.
New York residents may be interested in a recent jury decision which awarded a family $2.4 million. In 2007, a woman died after seeking emergency treatment for severe pain in her abdomen and back. Two years earlier, she had undergone gastric bypass surgery, a relatively common procedure. Often, bowel obstruction is a complication in this type of surgery, but the suit claimed that the failure to diagnose this lead to her death.
A recent out-of-state case reflects many aspects of a medical malpractice suit that may be found in New York. The woman is suing the doctors, midwife and two medical care centers after her baby died during birth. Cases of birth injury are always devastating, but it is important to note that these cases occur, and there are legal courses that can be taken.
While undergoing a simple gynecological procedure, a New York woman’s colon was punctured. As a result, the woman suffered from blood poisoning and gangrene, went into cardiac arrest three times in intensive care, lost some of her hearing due to the antibiotics and then had her feet amputated at the ankle. As if this weren’t enough for one woman to bear, her legs were then amputated below the knee, all as a result of a surgical error.
When a patient comes into the hospital, especially a woman who is pregnant, doctors must take all of her complaints seriously, as not only could the patient be in danger, but so could the woman’s unborn baby. In fact, these doctors and nurses have a legal duty to uphold a reasonable standard of care.
