Medical Malpractice

New York Appellate Court Holds that Plaintiff’s Choice of Venue in Medical Malpractice Case Was Proper

Published on: September 10, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Most people understand that the first step in pursuing monetary compensation in a Syracuse medical malpractice case is to file a claim in court. However, what is less commonly known is that there can sometimes be an argument about the proper court in which to file the claim.

When a defendant disagrees with a plaintiff’s choice of venue, he or she may opt to file a motion to change venue. However, a change of venue is not automatic, and the burden of proving that the plaintiff’s venue choice was improper rests with the moving party.

There are several factors to consider in determining whether venue is proper in a particular court, including, among other things, the defendant’s residence address and/or principal place of business.

Administrator’s Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Was Timely, Says New York Appellate Court

Published on: August 30, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

When it comes to medical malpractice cases, there are some commonalities regardless of where the suit is filed – the burden of proof is on the plaintiff to prove that there was a deviation from the accepted standard of care, for example.

However, with regard to procedural matters, such as when a Syracuse medical malpractice claim must be filed and by whom, the law of the State of New York can differ from than that of sister states.

Thus, it is very important to talk to a Syracuse personal injury or wrongful death attorney about your case if you or a loved one has been hurt by a nurse, doctor, or hospital. Time is of the essence in such matters, so please do not delay in seeking advice about your case.

Late-Filing of New York Medical Malpractice Claim Permitted Under Relation-Back Doctrine

Published on: August 15, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Those who have been hurt by a doctor, nurse, or hospital have a limited time in which to file a medical malpractice claim. Usually, claims not filed within this time period are dismissed by the court as untimely.

However, there are a limited number of circumstances in which a late-filed claim may be allowed. One such exception is referred to as the “relation-back” doctrine. A recent appellate case explored the applicability of the doctrine to a case in which additional defendants were added to an ongoing lawsuit after the expiration of the usual limitations period. If you or a loved one has been injured and you wonder if it is too late to file a claim, it is important that you speak with a Syracuse medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.

Facts of the Case

In a recent appellate case originating in the Supreme Court of Kings County, the plaintiff filed a wrongful death claim against a medical center and others following the death of the decedent in May 2009. Prior to her death, the decedent had been treated for abdominal pain in the defendant medical center on multiple occasions over a period of about one month. The plaintiff’s suit, which was filed in 2011, named the medical center and several individual healthcare providers as defendants. In 2014, the defendant medical center filed a third-party action against another provider who had become affiliated with a different facility, along with three other third-party defendants.

New York Court Holds that Defendants’ Failure to File Timely Answer Should Have Resulted in Default Judgment in Medical Negligence Case

Published on: August 8, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Hopefully, everyone knows by now that there is a statute of limitations that places an outer limit on the time during which a Syracuse medical malpractice claim can be filed. While there are a few, very limited exceptions to this rule, most cases that are filed outside of this time period are dismissed by the court – no matter how egregious the conduct or how severe the injuries.

It is also important to note that there are many other deadlines that may apply in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, including the time for filing an answer if you happen to be the person or business against whom a claim is made. Again, while there are a few exceptions to the general rule regarding timeliness (of filing both a complaint and an answer thereto), but these are few and far between.

Facts of the Case

In a recent case, the plaintiff was the administrator of the estate of a man who allegedly suffered personal injuries while a resident at nursing home allegedly operated by the defendants. The plaintiff filed suit against the defendants, seeking to recover money damages. The defendants failed to answer the plaintiff’s complaint within the time allowed by law, so the plaintiff filed a motion for a default judgment pursuant to New York Consolidated Laws, Civil Practice Law and Rules § 3215. The defendants opposed the motion filed by the plaintiff and filed their own motion, cross-moving for an extension of time to file their answer.
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New York Court Reverses Lower Tribunal’s Order Disqualifying Attorney for Estate of Deceased Alleged Medical Malpractice Victim

Published on: July 27, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Syracuse medical malpractice lawsuits can have multiple complications, especially when the alleged act of medical negligence resulted in a loved one’s death. Part of the reason for this is that the actual plaintiff in such a case is the deceased person’s estate – not his or her survivors. Although family members may ultimately receive the proceeds of the litigation, if it is successful, the action is maintained in the name of the estate, not the individuals. This added layer of complexity means that extra time may be needed in order for all of the appropriate steps to be taken as the case is prepared to be filed, so please act quickly if you have lost a loved one due to a doctor or hospital’s neglect.

Facts of the Case

In a recently decided wrongful death case, the plaintiff was the administrator of the estate of a woman who allegedly died due to medical malpractice by the defendants, a nursing and rehabilitation center and another medical provider. The plaintiff filed suit in the Supreme Court of Nassau County, asserting a wrongful death claim. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the plaintiff’s complaint pursuant to CPLR 3211(a)(3) and (7) on the basis that the plaintiff lacked the capacity to maintain the action due to alleged disqualification; the plaintiff was not only the administrator of the decedent’s estate, he was also the decedent’s son, one of two distributees of the decedent’s estate, an attorney, and one of three witnesses to the alleged medical negligence at issue.

The trial court agreed with the defendants that the advocate-witness rule barred the plaintiff from acting as counsel for the decedent’s estate and granted their motion to the extent of disqualifying the plaintiff as counsel for the decedent’s estate. The plaintiff appealed.
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Appellate Court Affirms Defense Verdict in New York Medical Malpractice Case Against Medical Center

Published on: July 26, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

In a Syracuse medical malpractice case, there may be a single defendant, or there may be multiple defendants. It all depends upon the circumstances surrounding the alleged act of medical negligence.

For example, in a case in which an individual was injured or died in (or after having been in) a hospital or medical center, there may be allegations of negligence against the hospital, one or more doctors, several nurses, etc. It is not unusual for such a case to get “narrowed down” to only one or two defendants prior to trial – or at least prior to the case being submitted for the jury’s consideration.

Facts of the Case

In a recent case, the plaintiff was executor of the estate of a woman who died a few days after having hip replacement surgery. The plaintiff filed suit against the defendants, a medical center, a physician group, a nurse practitioner, and others, asserting a cause of action for medical malpractice and seeking monetary compensation for losses caused by the defendants’ alleged failure to provide proper medical treatment to the deceased in accordance with accepted standards of medical care.
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New York Appellate Court Affirms Dismissal of Medical Malpractice Case Due to Plaintiff’s Failure to Appear at Compliance Conference

Published on: July 23, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Syracuse malpractice cases are never easy. The defendants in these types of case rarely admit that any wrongdoing or negligence occurred; in the unlikely event that a doctor or hospital admits that a mistake was made, the defendant will likely insist that there was no harm caused by the error.

Not surprisingly, a defendant in a medical negligence case will take advantage of every “technicality” that may fall in his or her favor, including the possibility of getting a case dismissed due to an opponent’s failure to appear at a court conference. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get such dismissal reversed, and the plaintiff may very well lose the right to proceed to trial if such a ruling occurs.

Facts of the Case

In a recent case arising in the Supreme Court for Dutchess County, the plaintiff was a woman who sought compensation for the alleged medical malpractice of the defendant healthcare provider. A compliance conference was ordered by the trial court, but the plaintiff failed to appear. Thereafter, the trial court dismissed the plaintiff’s complaint due to her default pursuant to the provisions of the 22 NYCRR § 202.27. The plaintiff then filed a motion to vacate the trial court’s order and judgment under CPLR § 5015(a)(1), seeking to have her civil action against the defendant restored to active status. The trial court denied the plaintiff’s motion, and she appealed.
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New York Appellate Division Affirms Denial of Summary Judgment in Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Suit

Published on: June 29, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

In a Syracuse medical malpractice case, the plaintiff is usually the person who was the victim of a doctor or hospital’s negligence. However, sometimes an act of medical negligence is so severe that it results in a patient’s death.

In such a situation, there is still the possibility of a lawsuit against the responsible medical provider. However, the procedure is more complex than if the patient himself or herself was available to pursue monetary compensation.

Typically, it is the personal representative of the estate of the deceased medical negligence victim who brings suit in such a situation. This may or may not be a family member of the deceased individual (although any proceeds will likely go to the victim’s family members).

Summary Judgment to Doctor in Medical Practice Lawsuit is Affirmed by New York Appellate Court

Published on: June 25, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Pursuing fair compensation for an act of medical negligence involves many steps. In addition to the filing of a Syracuse medical malpractice lawsuit, there is the discovery phase of litigation, which is typically followed by the filing of motions for dismissal by the allegedly negligent doctors or hospital.

If the case survives this step, the next phase is trial, followed (in many cases) by an appeal.

Because medical malpractice lawsuits can be very lengthy and time-consuming, it is important to that a person who has been hurt by a careless doctor or other medical provider contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

New York Appeals Court Agrees that Parents Should Have Been Given Leave to File Late Notice of Child’s Birth Injury Medical Malpractice Claim

Published on: June 19, 2019 | By Jeff DeFrancisco

Those who have suffered personal injuries or a loved one’s wrongful death have only a limited time in which to file a Syracuse medical malpractice lawsuit. This includes situations in which the victim of the alleged medical negligence is a minor child. If your family has been hurt by a doctor or hospital, an experienced medical malpractice attorney can help you get started on your case, but you must take the first step by setting up a consultation.

Facts of the Case

In a recent appeals court case, the plaintiffs were the parents of a minor child who allegedly suffered injuries during her birth at a city hospital owned and operated by the defendant. The plaintiffs sought to file suit in the Supreme Court, Bronx County, to seek for the child’s injuries via a motion for leave to file a late notice of claim. The defendant resisted the plaintiffs’ motion, urging the trial court to deny the relief sought by the plaintiffs. The trial granted the motion for leave, and the defendant appealed.

The Appeals Court’s Decision

The New York Supreme Court Appellate Division for First Department affirmed the lower court’s ruling. According to the appellate court, the lower tribunal’s decision to grant the plaintiffs leave to file a late notice of claim within the discretion of the trial court. Although the defendant pointed out that the plaintiffs have failed to set forth a “reasonable excuse” for their delay in filing a timely claim, the appellate court found that this was not fatal to the plaintiffs’ case under the circumstances. According to the court, the plaintiffs had met their burden by showing that the defendant was aware – and had actual knowledge – of the “essential facts constituting the claim” within the time period set forth under New York statutory law for the filing of claims such as the one at bar. Because the defendant had knowledge of these facts within the requisite time, it would not be prejudiced in defending the case on its merits.
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