Medical Malpractice

Stem Cell Therapy Malpractice in Rochester, New York

Published on: December 31, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Stem cell therapy is becoming more and more popular both in New York and across the country, but it can often put patients at risk. If you have been injured due to stem cell therapy, you need to contact our hard-working and reputable Rochester medical malpractice attorneys who can assess the merits of your case. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to investigating the circumstances surrounding your injury and determining your legal rights and options accordingly.

Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cells are notable for their ability to regenerate or to become any cell. For this reason, there has been great confidence and enthusiasm surrounding stem cells as a form of medicine to treat various ailments. However, much of the treatment’s application remains unproven and many medical facilities are keen to monetize the trend, even if the efficacy of treatment is questionable, or unsafe. Many times, doctors do not warn patients about potential dangers associated with treatment or inform them that the treatment is actually not FDA approved.

Court of Appeals Reverses Because Expert Opinion did not Sufficiently Establish Causation

Published on: December 26, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Medical malpractice cases can be extremely complicated and overwhelming. If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered harm because of a medical professional’s negligence, you might be able to recover compensation through a medical malpractice claim. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our highly skilled Rochester medical malpractice attorneys will vigorously pursue meritorious claims and hold careless medical professionals responsible for their conduct.

The 1^st District Court of Appeals in Texas recently remanded a medical malpractice lawsuit back to a lower court because it was found that the medical expert opinion did not meet statutory requirements. In 2015, a man hurt his shoulder in a motorcycle wreck and had a procedure to correct the injury. A few days later, the patient went to the doctor complaining about severe pain and swelling and was diagnosed with an infection. The doctor performed a few more procedures. The patient later sued the doctor for malpractice. The defendant doctor claimed that the plaintiff’s lawsuit did not demonstrate how the breach of the standard of care was the direct cause of the patient’s injury, thus the lawsuit should be dismissed. The court agreed and remanded the case.

Patient Safety at New York Hospitals Needs Improvement

Published on: December 11, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

If you or a loved one has been injured by a medical professional’s negligence, you should immediately seek the help of a skilled Rochester medical malpractice attorney who can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the knowledge and resources to build a strong case on your behalf. We understand that dealing with a medical injury can be incredibly stressful but you can trust that we will zealously advocate for your rights every step of the way.

A recent study published by the Institute of Medicine reviewed 535 hospitals in a few large states at two specific times between the years of 2005 and 2016 to figure out the degree to which work environments had gotten better and whether positive variations were linked with increased progress in patient safety. Results showed that only 21 percent of the hospitals studied showed in excess of 10 percent improvement in work environment scores, while 7 percent had poorer scores. Furthermore, about 40 percent of the nurses surveyed indicated that important information was often lost during shift changes because things fell between the cracks. At hospitals where the work environment improved, patient safety improved as well. Given these findings, it is vital for patients to protect themselves.

Rochester, New York Endometriosis Malpractice Attorneys

Published on: November 20, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Endometriosis should be promptly diagnosed and treated in order to prevent long-term harm. If you or a loved one suffered an injury or a worsening of condition due to a misdiagnosis of endometriosis, you may have the right to recover payment for your harm. Our trusted Rochester medical misdiagnosis attorneys will review the specifics surrounding your injury to see if you have a valid malpractice claim.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease where the normal endometrial lining of the uterus travels up the fallopian tube and ends up outside the uterus, where it implants and starts to grow. The endometrial tissue can grow into the ovaries, bowel or other tissue that lines the female pelvis. Put another way, endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue that typically lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. According to the Mayo Clinic, endometriosis affects more than 200,000 women every year.

Failing to Diagnose Endometriosis

The condition is extremely painful for women and often gets misdiagnosed in women as menstrual pain and cramping. While the symptoms are similar, they happen on a more intense scale. The cramps, bleeding and pelvic pain is far more severe than menstrual pain. While people may consider endometriosis a minor condition, the reality is it can have devastating and long-term consequences for a woman’s health if it is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.

Malpractice in New York Caused by Misdiagnosis of Concussions

Published on: November 1, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Approximately 2 million people every year suffer from a concussion across the United States. If not properly diagnosed or treated, a concussion can leave a person with permanent brain damage. If this has happened to you or someone you love, you need to reach out to a diligent Rochester misdiagnosis attorney who can be helpful to securing compensation. With extensive experience, we understand how to guide you through complex medical malpractice claims while protecting your rights every step of the way.

Defining a Concussion

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that results in a loss of consciousness and a bruised brain. It typically occurs after a blow to the head but can also happen from having one’s head being violently shaken. Concussions are quite common and they can vary in severity ranging from mild to catastrophic. The symptoms of a concussion may not be immediately apparent but they can include headaches, difficulty concentrating, and impairment of memory, judgment, balance and/or coordination. Sadly, medical professionals sometimes misdiagnose a concussion by assuming it is less serious than it really is or by missing it altogether.

Misdiagnosis or Failure to Diagnose a Concussion

Doctors have an obligation to conduct tests to confirm if a patient is, in fact, suffering from a concussion. If it is discovered that a concussion did occur, the doctor should begin treatment immediately to limit the potential damage. Failure to treat a concussion promptly could lead to long-term cognitive, physical and emotional damage.

Postpartum Hemorrhage Malpractice in Rochester, New York

Published on: October 30, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

While every woman expects to lose some blood during childbirth, excessive bleeding or suffering a hemorrhage after the birth of a child can pose serious health risks to the mother. If you suffered from postpartum hemorrhage, our seasoned Rochester medical negligence lawyers can help evaluate your case and determine whether you have a valid legal claim. We know how stressful these situations can be, which is why we will navigate your case with the utmost compassion.

What is Postpartum Hemorrhage?

The average amount of blood loss for a single baby delivered vaginally is approximately 500 milliliters. For cesarean births, the average amount is about 1,000 milliliters. Postpartum hemorrhage is the acute loss of blood after childbirth and it takes place when a woman loses 500ml or greater of blood during vaginal delivery and 1000ml or greater of blood after a C-section. Sadly, every year, a number of women die due to pregnancy-related complications. Postpartum hemorrhage is a leading cause of complications with an estimated 2.9 percent of women who give birth in the US suffering from excessive bleeding,

Postpartum Hemorrhage Malpractice

There are many factors that increase the risk of a postpartum hemorrhage which doctors and other medical professionals involved in the birth are trained to recognize and should be on the lookout for. For example, placental abruption (i.e., the early detachment of the placenta from the uterus) can greatly increase a woman’s likelihood of a postpartum hemorrhage.

Herniated Disc Malpractice in Rochester

Published on: October 10, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Herniated discs are serious injuries that can significantly alter a person’s quality of life. If you believe that you or a loved one suffered an injury due a medical professional’s negligence in diagnosing or treating a herniated disc, you can potentially make a financial recovery for your injury. Our hard-working Rochester medical malpractice attorneys will work with the necessary medical experts to uncover the true cause of your injury and provide you with a realistic assessment of your claim.

What is a Herniated Disc?

The spine is comprised of a series of connected bones known as vertebrae. A disc consists of an outside layer and gel-like middle that separates part of the vertebrae from one another, acting like a cushion of sorts. A herniated disc, also sometimes known as a slipped disc or a ruptured disc, takes place when the outside layer tears and the gel-like middle trickles into the spinal canal. This can lead to compression of the nerves or spinal cord, causing pain, numbness tingling or weakness in one or more extremities.

No Mandatory Arbitration in New York Medical Malpractice Cases

Published on: September 28, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

If you or someone close to you has been hurt by a medical professional’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our Rochester medical malpractice attorneys have the skill, experience and dedication needed to handle your case.

In New York, medical malpractice takes place when a medical professional fails to comply with the standard of care that is required by law, thereby causing injury or death to a patient. The standard of care refers to the level of care that a medical professional in the same speciality would use under the same or similar circumstances.

New York law does not require mandatory arbitration, mediation or the submission of your claim to a screening panel as a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) prior to a medical malpractice case going to trial. Rather, the case can go directly to trial. This is different from a number of states that require an attempt to settle before the matter goes to court in an effort to reduce the volume of cases in court and resolve claims in a timely manner. While New York law does not mandate ADR, if two parties wish to use the process, they have the right to do so under state law.

Malpractice Caused by Failure to Diagnose Neck Fracture

Published on: September 18, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Broken bones can be highly complex injuries requiring timely diagnosis and treatment. If you or a loved one suffered an injury due to a medical professional’s failure to properly diagnose a neck fracture, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. While no amount of money can undo the damage, the compensation can help cover the cost of treating your condition and help you pay the bills as you get better. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our seasoned Rochester medical malpractice attorneys have handled cases involving neck fractures and understand how to navigate these complex claims.

A missed diagnosis or a wrong diagnosis of a neck fracture can lead to mobility and pain issues for a patient. In addition, failure to diagnose, the neck fracture can lead to further injury, which may require even more expensive and time-consuming treatment. Because the stakes are so high, whenever a neck fracture is a possibility, doctors have a responsibility to investigate the matter diligently using whatever tools are at their disposal, such as X-rays, MRIs and CT scans. In addition, the doctor should perform a physical examination as well as a neurological assessment of reflexes and motor function. Unfortunately, far too many doctors do not handle these cases with the care that they deserve and the patient ends up suffering. Sometimes doctors fail to order appropriate tests or stabilize the spine when it is needed. In other cases, doctors misread or misinterpret the test results, leading to a diagnostic error.

Assisted Living Facilities Failing to Meet Appropriate Standards of Care in New York and Nationwide

Published on: September 4, 2018 | By DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Malpractice and other types of negligence in nursing homes and assisted living facilities are serious problems. If you have been injured or a loved one has died while in the case of an assisted living facility, you may be entitled to compensation. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our Rochester medical malpractice attorneys have the passion and persistence to take on New York’s toughest malpractice claims.

A recent report highlights how assisted living facilities are struggling to meet staff care standards, resulting in a diminished quality of care for seniors. For instance, the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies documented a 97 percent staff turnover rate for certified nurse aides and an average of 90 percent turnover rate for registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses.

Falls are the second leading cause of accidental injuries and deaths worldwide for the elderly population. In fact, in one 2016 case, a Maryland patient fell three times in a single day and died as a result of coverage gaps in monitoring. In another incident, a Tennessee patient who walked out of the front door of a facility fell in the parking lot and then headed into a wooded area before anyone realized he was missing. Unfortunately, these types of incidents are widespread. With the United States’ population rising, it is imperative to create effective methods for care facilities and caregivers to maintain.