Doctors have an obligation to not only provide their patients with competent care but also to advise them of their treatment options and the potential benefits and disadvantages of each choice. If a doctor fails to adequately inform a patient of the risks of a procedure and the patient subsequently suffers harm, the doctor can be held accountable, even if the patient’s injuries are due to a known danger. As discussed in a recent New York ruling issued in a lack of informed consent case, however, the injured party must present certain evidence to prevail in a civil action against the provider. If you sustained losses due to the incompetence of a healthcare provider, you should speak to a Syracuse medical malpractice lawyer about what claims you may be able to pursue.
Case Setting
The plaintiff, along with her husband, commenced a legal action to seek damages for medical malpractice and lack of informed consent against the defendant, a physician, and the defendant’s employer. They alleged that the defendant caused serious injuries to the injured plaintiff during a physical examination in June 2015, claiming that the examination was aggressive, forceful, and negligent. Additionally, they asserted that the defendant failed to obtain informed consent for the examination. The defendants moved for summary judgment to dismiss the complaint, which the trial court granted. The plaintiffs then appealed the decision.
Evidence Sufficient to Demonstrate Lack of Informed Consent
On appeal, when considering the defendants’ motion for summary judgment on the medical malpractice cause of action, the court highlighted the necessity for the defendants to establish prima facie that there was no departure from the standard of care or that any deviation did not cause the plaintiff’s injuries. Continue Reading ›