While many malpractice cases arise out of incompetent care within a doctor’s specialty, such as the failure to diagnose or a delayed diagnosis, some arise out of harm caused by a doctor practicing outside of the scope of his or her expertise. This was demonstrated in a recent case in…
Rochester Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
New York Court Discusses What Constitutes Sufficient Evidence to Support a Failure to Diagnose Claim
In many medical malpractice cases, both parties will rely upon the medical records to support their position. While the absence of complaints of pain in a medical record may harm the case of a plaintiff alleging a failure to diagnose claim, it is not dispositive, as shown in a recent…
Dismissal of Plaintiff’s Claims Highlights Importance of Expert Affidavits in New York Medical Malpractice Cases
A delayed diagnosis can cause irreparable harm, but proving a delay in providing an accurate diagnosis caused a person’s damages can be challenging and will typically require the testimony of one or more experts. The pitfalls of failing to obtain a qualified expert were recently demonstrated in a pediatric malpractice case, in…
Court Reviews a Plaintiff’s Burden in Opposing Summary Judgment in a New York Medical Malpractice Case
In New York medical malpractice cases, the burden moves from the plaintiff to the defendant and then returns to the plaintiff. In other words, case law established that if the defendant set forth prima facie evidence showing it was entitled to a dismissal of the plaintiff’s claim, the plaintiff was…
New York Court Denies Leave to File Late Notice of a Claim in a Birth Injury Case
There are strict timelines for when a person may file a medical malpractice case under New York law. While there are some exceptions to the statutory time limitations, a delay in pursuing a claim may result in a waiver of the right to recover damages. This was shown by a…
New York Court Discusses Ramifications of Attorney Misconduct in a Surgical Malpractice Case
Anyone involved in a surgical malpractice case has the right to be represented by an attorney. If a person waives that right and chooses to proceed on his or her own behalf, then any attorney involved in the case can communicate directly with the person. If a person is represented…
Court Analyzes Liability for Failing to Obtain Informed Consent in New York Medical Malpractice Cases
When a person is harmed by negligent medical care, in many cases, there will be more than one party responsible for the harm. For example, a person who sustained injuries due to incompetent treatment in a hospital may be able to pursue claims against not only the treating physicians but…
Court Discusses Burdens of Proof in a New York Cardiology Malpractice Case
Summary judgment is a harsh remedy that is only to be used in the clearest cases. Thus, even if a defendant in a medical malpractice case establishes a prima facie right to judgment as a matter of law, the claims against the defendant will not be dismissed if the plaintiff…
Court Discusses Custom and Practice Evidence in New York Surgical Malpractice Cases
In surgical malpractice cases, evidence regarding what actions the defendant surgeon took before, during, and after the surgery is often offered by the plaintiff to prove liability or by the defendant in support of the argument that there was no deviation from the standard of care. Typically, the defendant’s acts…
New York Court Discusses Factors Evaluated in Granting a Motion to Substitute in a Hospital Malpractice Case
It is not uncommon for a plaintiff who is pursuing damages due to medical malpractice to die following the institution of the lawsuit. Thus, in many cases, the need arises to substitute the administrator of the deceased plaintiff’s estate as a party in the lawsuit. Any substitution must be made…