Medical malpractice is a serious situation that occurs more often than people believe. And lawsuits involving medical malpractice receive some of the most expensive payouts in the country, especially in New York City. Typically, a serious case of medical negligence costs more than $650,000 in one settlement.
Read this article to learn about medical negligence in NYC, some of its most well-known examples, and what to look for in an attorney if you need one.
A Spinal Injury Case
In 2011, 27-year-old Ebony Curry, an autism patient, was taken to the emergency room of the Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn because of a spinal injury from falling down the stairs. She was kept under observation for around five hours before being sent home without a diagnosis. A radiologist of the hospital later realized the extent of the spinal injury but did not attempt to contact the patient.
Her pain became worse, and she was rushed to another hospital to undergo emergency surgery. Unfortunately, the patient became a quadriplegic because of Kings County Hospital’s medical negligence. Ebony Curry was paid $9 million as a settlement for the medical negligence lawsuit.
Other Cases in City Hospitals
New York City’s Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) sees many cases of medical negligence, given the number of clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals it operates. In 2015, the city paid a massive $124 million to settle medical malpractice lawsuits. The city of New York is seeing a constant rise in the number of these cases as years go by.
The situation for HHC even got worse when the case with patient Grisel Soto occurred. She was misdiagnosed for marijuana overdose when it should have been for meningitis. The patient died at Coney Island Hospital, and the incident prompted an investigation. Apparently, 450 new employees at the time were not reported to the HHC. Three leading officials of the hospital were reassigned because of this.
Another medical malpractice case in NYC involved 51-year-old Dorka Anderson, who was taken to the Jacobi Medical Center back in 2011. The patient complained about cough and breath shortness. According to her medical malpractice attorney, the doctors misdiagnosed and gave the patient an unnecessary spinal tap. Because of this negligence, the patient was left paralyzed due to a severe brain injury. NYC paid a settlement of $5 million to the victim.
When asked about the prevalence of medical malpractice within institutions under their jurisdiction, an HHC spokesperson said that the number of claims, lawsuits, and settlements has decreased in the last five years.
On the Legal Side
Any victim of medical negligence is entitled to file a lawsuit against liable individuals and organizations to obtain their rightful compensation. If you or a loved one has been subjected to medical malpractice, do not hesitate to discuss with a medical malpractice lawyer to assess your different options.
Your attorney will study your case thoroughly and determine whether you can indeed file a medical malpractice lawsuit. They will also tell you about the possibility of winning based on gathered evidence.
Conclusion
When choosing a professional to handle your case and represent you, make sure to look for one who is both experienced and compassionate. Hiring a lawyer who excels at what they do increases your chances of getting a favorable outcome. But their ability to empathize with you is equally essential to help you navigate through the tough case.
If you need a medical negligence or brain injury lawyer in New York, turn to Ronemus & Vilensky. Our accident and malpractice attorneys are experienced in cases involving personal injury, civil rights, medical malpractice, fire injury, and more. Contact us today.