Mental healthcare professionals that treat patients for depression and suicidal ideation will often correspond with other healthcare providers that treat their patients. The failure to engage in such communications does not necessarily constitute malpractice if a patient subsequently dies by suicide, however. This was demonstrated in a recent New York…
People that live with mental illness sadly often harbor ideations of self-harm. If a mental health provider treating a patient with depression or anxiety fails to prevent their death by suicide, the patient’s family members can pursue medical malpractice claims against the provider. In order to institute a medical malpractice…
Medical records are a critical component of establishing liability in medical malpractice cases. As such, if a hospital named as a defendant in a medical malpractice case fails to retain records regarding a plaintiff’s treatment, it may be sanctioned by the court. Generally, though, the court will not impose the…
New York law dictates that people who want to pursue medical malpractice claims against their healthcare providers must do so within a specified timeframe. In addition to complying with the statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims, parties seeking compensation from a public entity must abide by the notice requirements…
In New York medical malpractice cases, which party prevails depends in large part on who offers more compelling expert testimony. Thus, it is not uncommon for one party to try to prevent the other from presenting an expert at trial. It is within the trial court’s discretion as to whether…
Under New York law, establishing liability in a medical malpractice case requires a plaintiff to establish that the defendant departed from the applicable standard of care and that such a departure caused the plaintiff harm. If the plaintiff is unable to offer evidence sufficient to meet their burden, their claims…
Many medications have side effects, and while generally, the benefits provided by such drugs outweigh any potentially detrimental consequences, doctors must assess each patient’s risk factors to determine whether a medication is appropriate. Doctors that recklessly prescribe medications may be held accountable for any harm caused by their carelessness, but…
New York imposes strict time limitations as to when a person can pursue medical malpractice claims. Thus, if a person injured by a negligent doctor fails to file a medical malpractice lawsuit within the statute of limitations, their claim will most likely be dismissed. As explained in a recent New…
Doctors have a duty to provide their patients with thorough and adequate care. This means that they must not only avoid causing their patients physical harm but also that, in some instances, they must prevent patients from harming themselves. The duty a doctor owes to a patient with ideation of…
The strength of a plaintiff’s medical malpractice case often hinges on the strength of their expert’s opinion. In other words, the more compelling the expert’s argument that the defendant caused the plaintiff’s harm is, the more likely it is that the jury will find in the plaintiff’s favor. Expert opinions…