When medical professionals make mistakes, it is almost always their patients who suffer the shortcomings of their negligence. In a profession where people’s lives and well-being are so much at stake, attention to detail is vital and mistakes can be costly. Incidences of medical malpractice are all too common in New York. Patients should be prepared to hold their doctors accountable for their errors, in order to prevent anyone else coming to harm.

In California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and two anesthesiologists have been embroiled in a medical malpractice lawsuit, resulting in a settlement of almost $8 million. They stand accused of negligence in carrying out a procedure that has left the patient quadriplegic. He has been awarded $6.97 million for the harm done to him. His wife is set to receive a further $1 million for loss of consortium.

The patient, now 67, received a treatment that involved injections into two of his upper vertebrae. He claims that he was not made aware of the risk or implications of the treatment. Furthermore, the anesthesiologists are alleged to have used an iodine contrast to which the patient was documented to be allergic. Attorneys for the defendants claim that this was not the case and further suggest that the patient’s injury was caused by a stroke during the procedure.

Responsibility for the damages was divided between Cedars-Sinai and one of the doctors, with the medical center receiving 40 percent of the blame. The second doctor was exonerated. Although the financial award should be of substantial benefit in covering the patient’s long-term care and medical expenses, he still must live with his injuries.

Patients in New York can learn from this experience. Even though it happened in another state, it illustrates how severely medical negligence can harm a patient. If you are injured at the hands of your doctor or another medical professional, it is vital to confront him or her. An attorney may be able to help you build your case. By seeing that the matter is properly investigated, you can help to protect other patients and work toward earning compensation for the damage done to you.

Source: Westside Today, ” Jury Awards Couple Nearly $8 Million in Cedars-Sinai Lawsuit,” May 5, 2014

Contact Our Medical Malpractice Law Firm in New York City

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Manhattan, NY, and need legal help, contact our New York City medical malpractice lawyers at Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. to schedule a free consultation.

Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C.
100 Wall St 15th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 514-5007