A Long Island Medical Malpractice Lawyer Tackles Medical Error Cases

Is New York ready for Ebola? International Business Times reporter Philip Ross reports that major hospitals in the state are already armed and prepared for the virus as declared by health officials. However, some people are still concerned over whether this is true, especially after the first case of Ebola in Manhattan was confirmed:

A single case of Ebola has surfaced in New York City, underscoring that despite extensive efforts to keep the virus out of the U.S., no plan is infallible. Health officials insist that Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, designated the city’s go-to treatment center for Ebola, is capable of handling Ebola patients, however the apparent bungling of a case in Texas and strained emergency equipment supplies have raised concerns about the readiness of U.S. hospitals to confront Ebola.
 
Bellevue has a long history of treating patients with highly infectious diseases, including several years of taking in tuberculosis patients, according to Scientific American. “Bellevue is legendary for having taken on a host of challenges over the years,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference Thursday.

Despite the commendable track records and stellar credentials of Bellevue (and other hospitals in New York), medical errors can still occur, particularly when dealing with complicated or rare diseases like Ebola, where treatments are mostly experimental. That said, mistakes in medication dosages or poorly performed care can happen. Improper precautions on the part of a hospital (e.g. blood transfusions without checking the donor blood for the specific contamination, assuring that health care professionals are not sick) can also cause infection to other patients or people in the facility.

When these medical error cases occur, it would be wise for the injured party to consult a Long Island medical malpractice lawyer. The professional can help identify if the treating doctor, a part of the health care team, or the hospital at large could have prevented the treatment inaccuracy as part of the accepted standards of care. If so, the individual or the facility can be sued for medical malpractice.

Likewise, experienced medical malpractice attorneys in Long Island like those from The Law Offices of Joseph Lichtenstein can represent clients when similar medical errors occur in other rare infectious diseases or conditions. Aside from determining if negligence transpired, the lawyer can help in acquiring the necessary evidence, assist in the litigation process, and help in getting compensation for the wrongfully injured party.

(Source: Ebola In NYC 2014: Is Bellevue Hospital Ready For The Virus?, International Business Times, October 24, 2014)