Rochester Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Published on: January 22, 2023

New York Court Analyzes Requirements for Pursuing Medical Malpractice Cases Against Public Corporations

Many medical facilities in New York are public corporations. They bear the same obligations to their patients as private facilities, however, and if they breach their obligations, they can be held liable for medical malpractice. There are additional procedural requirements imposed on plaintiffs pursuing claims against public corporations, though, and if they fail to abide by them, it may result in the dismissal of their claims. In some instances, though, the court will excuse such oversights, as demonstrated in a recent ruling issued in a New York medical malpractice case. If you were injured by the recklessness of a physician, it is advisable to consult a Rochester medical malpractice attorney to evaluate your possible claims.

Case History

It is reported that the plaintiff gave birth to her child at the defendant’s hospital. Shortly after his birth, the child was diagnosed with Erbs palsy. Further, the plaintiff was directed to follow up with a neurologist due to the fact that the child had a brachial plexus injury caused by birth trauma, demonstrated by asymmetric Moro reflex and decreased movement of the right arm, and suspected right brachial plexus palsy.

Allegedly, the plaintiff subsequently filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against the defendant and a motion for leave to file a late notice of claim. The defendant moved to dismiss the plaintiff’s complaint due to late notice. The court denied the defendant’s motion, and the defendant appealed. Continue reading

Published on: January 16, 2023

New York Court Discusses Grounds for Granting Summary Judgment in Car Accident Cases

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Under New York law, drivers have a duty to be on the lookout for pedestrians. It is unfortunately not uncommon for a motorist to carelessly fail to uphold this duty and strike a pedestrian, however. Drivers that negligently collide with pedestrians can be held civilly liable, but they will often attempt to avoid fault. As shown in a recent opinion issued by a New York court, though, a defendant attempting to deny liability faces a high burden of proof. If you suffered harm due to a crash caused by a reckless driver, it is wise to talk to a Rochester personal injury attorney about what damages you may be owed.

Factual History of the Case

It is alleged that the plaintiff suffered injuries when she was hit by a car driven by the defendant when crossing a roadway. Five months later, she commenced a lawsuit against the defendant, in which she sought compensation for her losses. The sole count in her complaint was a negligence claim. Following discovery, the defendant moved for summary judgment. The court denied the defendant’s motion, and he appealed.

Grounds for Granting Summary Judgment in Car Crash Cases

On appeal, the court upheld the trial court’s ruling. The court clarified that a defendant that asks for summary judgment in their favor in a negligence action bears the burden of establishing that the evidence, on its face, demonstrates that they were not at fault in the occurrence of the subject accident. Continue reading

Published on: January 10, 2023

New York Federal Court Discusses Jurisdiction Over Medical Malpractice Case

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

People aggrieved by incompetent medical care have the right to pursue medical malpractice claims against their providers. Broadly speaking, they have the right to choose where to file such claims. There are limitations to the general rule, however, and if a court determines it lacks jurisdiction over a medical malpractice lawsuit, it may dismiss the case. Recently, a district court sitting in New York explained when federal courts have jurisdiction over medical malpractice claims, in a matter in which it ultimately determined the case must be dismissed. If you suffered harm because of a negligent doctor, you could be owed damages, and you should speak with a Rochester medical malpractice attorney about your rights.

Factual and Procedural History of the Case

It is alleged that the defendant, a county sheriff’s department, placed the plaintiff in a jail cell. While she was in the jail cell, the defendant’s doctor examined the plaintiff. He neglected to order that the plaintiff be taken to the hospital or to conduct any tests, which plaintiff asserted resulted in a sickle cell crisis. As such, she filed a pro se lawsuit against the defendant in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York.

Reportedly, the plaintiff asserted one claim of negligence in her complaint, and filed an application to proceed in forma pauperis. The court granted her motion but ultimately dismissed her complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Continue reading

Published on: January 4, 2023

New York Court Discusses Whether a Doctor’s Failure to Communicate With Other Providers Constitutes Malpractice

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

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 case in which the court ruled that the plaintiff failed to show that a lack of communication proximately caused a patient’s death. If you lost a loved one due to inadequate medical care, it is in your best interest to talk to a Rochester medical malpractice lawyer about your potential claims as soon as possible.

Facts of the Case

It is reported that the decedent treated with a psychiatrist for several years. In 2016, he began treating with the defendant, who administered the decedent Ketamine treatments in an attempt to cure his depression. During the first session, the decedent expressly forbid the defendant from contacting his psychiatrist. In January 2017, the decedent requested an emergency appointment with the defendant; during the session, he reported suicidal ideation.

Allegedly, by the end of the appointment, the defendant did not believe the decedent was at imminent risk of self-harm. The decedent died by suicide two days later. His husband subsequently brought medical malpractice claims against the defendant, arguing that his failure to communicate with the decedent’s psychiatrist proximately caused the decedent’s death. The defendant moved for summary judgment, and the court granted his motion. The plaintiff appealed. Continue reading

Published on: December 21, 2022

New York Court Discusses Pleading Standards in Medical Malpractice Claims

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

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 lawsuit, a plaintiff merely needs to set forth a complaint with allegations sufficient to support their assertions. In other words, they do not need to offer evidence in support of their claims, as explained by a New York court in a recent case. If you sustained losses because of a negligent healthcare provider, it is advisable to meet with a Rochester medical malpractice lawyer about your rights.

The Factual and Procedural Background

It is alleged that the decedent had a history of mental illnesses, including depression and schizoaffective disorder. During confinement in a state facility, she was placed on suicide watch before being moved to the general population. The defendant provided mental health services to the decedent and made the decision to move her to the general population.

Reportedly, the decedent began to exhibit signs of increased depression and anxiety after she was moved to the general population. She hanged herself, and due to the facility’s failure to conduct a complete inspection of the decedent’s floor, she was not discovered for over 20 minutes. She ultimately died from her injuries. The plaintiff then filed a lawsuit against the defendant, asserting, inter alia, a medical malpractice claim. The defendant moved to dismiss the medical malpractice claim on the grounds that the plaintiff did not allege the standard of care the defendant allegedly violated. Continue reading

Published on: December 15, 2022

New York Court Analyzes Timeliness of Personal Injury Claims

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

People hurt in motor vehicle collisions will often seek compensation for their harm via personal injury claims. Such claims must be pursued in a timely manner, though; otherwise, they will likely be dismissed, as discussed recently in an opinion delivered in a New York case. If you suffered harm due to someone else’s negligence, you must promptly pursue any damages you may be owed, and you should consult a Rochester personal practice lawyer as soon as possible.

The Plaintiff’s Harm

It is alleged that the plaintiff sustained injuries in a motor vehicle collision that took place on June 4, 2018. A little over three years after the accident, he filed a lawsuit against the driver and owner of the other vehicle involved in the crash and the manufacturer of the other vehicle. The defendants subsequently moved for summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiff’s claims were barred by the applicable statute of limitations. The plaintiff opposed the motion, asserting that the Governor’s Executive orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic tolled the statute of limitations.

Timeliness of Medical Malpractice Claims

The court ultimately denied the defendants’ motion. In doing so, it explained that the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years. Thus, under ordinary circumstances, the plaintiff would have had to file his personal injury lawsuit by June 4, 2021. He filed his claims two weeks after that date, however. Continue reading

Published on: December 10, 2022

Court Discusses Sanctions for Spoliation of Evidence in New York Medical Malpractice Cases

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

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 drastic remedy of striking the defendant’s pleading, as demonstrated in an opinion recently delivered by a New York court. If you sustained losses because of a doctor’s negligence, you should speak to a Rochester medical malpractice lawyer about what evidence you may need to prove liability.

The Facts of the Case

It is reported that the plaintiff, who was born at the defendant’s medical center, suffered injuries during her birth. She subsequently filed a lawsuit against the defendant, setting forth claims of medical malpractice, lack of informed consent, and negligent hiring and supervision. The defendant moved for summary judgment dismissal of the plaintiff’s lack of informed consent and negligent hiring and supervision claims.

Allegedly, the plaintiff cross-moved for summary for spoliation sanctions on the grounds that the defendant failed to preserve the plaintiff’s fetal monitoring strips. The trial court granted the defendant’s motion and denied the plaintiff’s motion while granting her leave to renew the motion to the extent it sought an adverse inference instruction at trial. The plaintiff then appealed. Continue reading

Published on: December 5, 2022

New York Court Discusses Notice Requirements in Medical Malpractice Claims Against Public Corporations

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

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 as well. As indicated in a recent opinion issued by a New York court, the failure to adhere to such requirements may be fatal to a claim. If you were harmed by the negligence of your physician, you may be owed damages, and you should meet with a Rochester medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.

Background of the Case

It is alleged that the plaintiff filed a petition for leave to file late notice of claim against the defendant. The claim sounded in medical malpractice and arose out of the treatment the plaintiff received at a facility operated by the defendant, a public corporation. The trial court denied the plaintiff’s petition for leave, and the plaintiff appealed.

New York Law Regarding Notice in Medical Malpractice Claims

On appeal, the court found that the trial court wisely exercised its discretion in denying the plaintiff’s petition for leave to file late notice of claim and affirmed the trial court ruling. Pursuant to New York’s General Municipal Law 50-e, a party that wishes to pursue a medical malpractice claim against a public corporation must provide the corporation with notice of the claim within ninety days of when the claim accrued or within a reasonable time after. If they neglect to offer such notice, their claim may be dismissed. Continue reading

Published on: November 29, 2022

New York Court Analyzes the Authorized Emergency Vehicle Standard in Car Accident Cases

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

Generally, a plaintiff seeking damages in a lawsuit arising out of a motor vehicle collision must demonstrate the defendant’s negligence in order to prevail. In some instances, though, other standards of care will apply. For example, a defendant that causes a crash while operating an authorized emergency vehicle will only be deemed liable if they acted with reckless disregard. The authorized emergency vehicle standard only applies in limited circumstances, however, as demonstrated in an opinion recently issued by a New York court. If you sustained injuries in a collision caused by someone else’s careless driving, you should speak to a Rochester personal injury attorney about your potential claims.

Factual Background of the Case

Allegedly, the plaintiff suffered injuries after his vehicle and the defendant’s vehicle collided. At the time of the crash, the defendant, who was a volunteer member of an ambulance squad, was responding to a call. The defendant was driving his personal vehicle behind the plaintiff’s vehicle and attempted to pass the plaintiff on the left at the same time the plaintiff attempted to make a left-hand turn.

Reportedly, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the defendant, alleging that his negligence brought about the crash. The defendant moved for summary judgment, arguing that he was driving an authorized emergency vehicle and, therefore, his conduct was measured under the reckless disregard standard. He further asserted that as he was not reckless as a matter of law, the claims against him should be dismissed. The trial court granted the defendant’s motion, and the plaintiff appealed. Continue reading

Published on: November 20, 2022

Court Discusses Evidentiary Rulings in New York Medical Malpractice Cases

by DeFrancisco & Falgiatano

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 to preclude expert testimony, however, and in most instances, such determinations cannot be challenged prior to trial, as demonstrated in a recent New York ruling issued in a medical malpractice lawsuit. If you suffered harm because of negligent care provided by a physician, you might be owed compensation, and you should contact a Rochester medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.

History of the Case

It is alleged that the defendants provided the plaintiff mother with obstetric care throughout the course of her pregnancy and delivered her child. The child was born prematurely and suffered serious complications, including periventricular leukomalacia and polymicrogyria. The plaintiff mother subsequently filed a lawsuit asserting medical malpractice claims against the defendants individually and on behalf of her son.

Reportedly, the defendants subsequently moved to preclude the plaintiff’s expert from offering certain medical opinions at trial. The court granted the motion, but only in part. Specifically, the orders granted the portion of the defendants’ motion in which they requested that the court preclude the plaintiff’s expert from opining that polymicrogyria can be caused by post-delivery events but declined to preclude the expert from offering an opinion that polymicrogyria could be caused by prematurity, extreme prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, or periventricular leukomalacia. As such, the defendants appealed, arguing that the trial court abused its discretion in issuing its ruling. Continue reading