Syracuse Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Improper treatment of seemingly simple foot problems can have devastating, even life-altering consequences for a patient. If you believe that you or your loved one has been injured due to podiatry malpractice, we can help. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our Syracuse medical malpractice lawyers have years of experience resolving complex medical malpractice claims and can put our knowledge to use in your case. You can rest assured that we will make every effort to get you full and fair compensation for your harm.
Podiatrists are foot doctors who specialize in providing treatment for the feet. Their services can range from remedying an ingrown toenail to complex surgery on the bones. Podiatrists are trained and licensed to perform a relatively narrow set of procedures. As a result, proper treatment of a foot issue often requires the involvement of other medical specialists, such as neurologists, orthopedists, and other physicians. It is important to note that these medical professionals are not allowed to perform orthopedic surgery or treat patients who develop serious infections as a result of podiatric treatment.
When podiatrists fail to follow professional standards of care, they may be liable for medical malpractice. Common examples of podiatrist malpractice include but are not limited to:
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- Failing to diagnose an infection;
- Performing unnecessary surgery;
- Performing complex surgery that should have been performed by an orthopedist;
- Failing to provide sufficient follow up care;
- Failing to timely refer the patient; or
- Providing unnecessary medical care.
In New York, medical malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to use the level of care that a reasonably prudent doctor would have used in the same or similar circumstances, thereby causing injuries or death to a patient. In the context of podiatrist malpractice, the law essentially asks: was the patient’s injury caused by a podiatrist’s failure to act in the way a similarly situated podiatrist would have acted? If the answer is yes, the podiatrist will likely be liable for malpractice. For example, a simple foot wound or ulcer that is not treated properly may not heal and may extend into the bone, leading to an infection (i.e., osteomyelitis). In the worst-case scenario, that infection could require all or part of the foot being amputated. In such a case, the podiatrist would likely be liable for malpractice because a reasonably prudent podiatrist would have diagnosed the foot wound or ulcer, properly understanding the potentially dire consequences associated with such a condition.
If you or a loved one had a condition that got worse instead of better while in the care of a podiatrist, you may be entitled to compensation. At DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers, our Syracuse podiatry malpractice attorneys can analyze the facts of your case and help protect your rights at every step of the way. Malpractice cases against podiatrists are complex, since it is such a specialized field. As a result, having the right attorney on your side can make all of the difference in your case. For a free consultation about your options, call us at 833-200-2000 or contact us online.
More Blog Posts:
Appendicitis Malpractice in Syracuse and New York, Syracuse Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, March 29, 2018
Malpractice Resulting from Failure to Communicate in Syracuse, Syracuse Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, March 22, 2018
