Failure to Diagnose Spinal Cord Injuries in Emergency Rooms

Emergency rooms are often the first line of defense when someone suffers a serious accident or sudden trauma. Patients trust that emergency room staff will quickly identify life-threatening conditions and provide immediate treatment. Unfortunately, doctors often overlook signs of spinal cord injuries until irreparable damage has occurred. Failure to diagnose spinal cord injuries in emergency rooms can have catastrophic results, leaving patients with paralysis, chronic pain, or permanent disability that might have been avoided with timely care. If you or a loved one were harmed because an emergency room provider failed to recognize or treat a spinal cord injury, you may be owed compensation, and you should consult an attorney. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our skilled Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys understand the life-altering consequences of medical negligence, and if we represent you, we will fight tirelessly to hold the careless providers who caused your harm accountable. Our attorneys proudly represent injured patients in Syracuse, Rochester, and communities throughout Upstate New York.

The consequences of failing to diagnose spinal cord injuries in emergency rooms are often permanent and profound. Spinal cord damage can progress rapidly if it is not promptly identified, as swelling, bleeding, or compression on the spinal cord may worsen over time. A patient who might have regained mobility with immediate intervention can instead suffer irreversible paralysis. Others may face chronic neuropathic pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, or significant loss of independence. Beyond the physical devastation, victims are often confronted with the reality of lifelong rehabilitation, costly medical devices, and the loss of career opportunities or income. Their families frequently experience enormous emotional strain as well, as they adjust to caring for a loved one whose life has been permanently altered.

When a patient suffers harm due to the failure to diagnose spinal cord injuries in emergency rooms, they will often seek to hold the responsible parties accountable via a medical malpractice lawsuit. Generally, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case will assert that the defendant acted negligently. In New York, negligence is made up of four parts and a plaintiff must establish each part to demonstrate the defendant’s fault.

First, the plaintiff must show that the healthcare provider owed them a duty of care. In medical malpractice cases, this duty requires the provider to treat patients in accordance with the accepted standard of care, which reflects what a reasonably competent physician would do under similar circumstances. Second, the plaintiff must demonstrate breach of that duty, meaning that the defendant deviated from the accepted practices. In the context of spinal cord injuries, a breach might include ignoring symptoms of neurological impairment, failing to conduct appropriate diagnostic imaging, or not recognizing red flags that warrant immediate intervention.

Next, the plaintiff has to prove causation and damages. This requires showing that the provider’s failure to diagnose directly led to the worsening of the spinal cord injury. Because medical malpractice claims are complex, expert testimony plays a crucial role in establishing liability. Qualified medical experts can explain the standard of care required, how the defendant deviated from that standard, and how that deviation caused the plaintiff’s injuries. Experts also help establish the extent of damages, ensuring that the jury or court fully understands the scope of the patient’s losses.

A plaintiff who proves a defendant’s fault may be awarded compensation for their extensive medical expenses, costs of long-term rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and in some cases, the need for lifelong medical care.

The failure to diagnose spinal cord injuries in emergency rooms often leaves patients facing overwhelming challenges, but the law allows them to seek accountability from negligent providers. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a medical professional’s negligence, it is critical to assess your legal options, and you should meet with an attorney as soon as possible. The capable Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys of DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience handling complex medical malpractice cases, and if we represent you, we will advocate zealously on your behalf. Our main office is located in Syracuse, and we frequently represent injured parties in Syracuse, Rochester, and communities throughout Upstate New York. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, contact us online or call 833-200-2000.