Syracuse Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
In many cases where a patient has a serious health concern, they will be treated with multiple providers. If they subsequently suffer harm due to substandard care, it may be complicated to determine which provider is ultimately at fault, as demonstrated in a recent New York case. If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to the carelessness of a doctor, it is in your best interest to talk to a Syracuse medical malpractice attorney about what evidence you must produce to recover damages.
Case Summary and Allegations
It is alleged that the plaintiff, who underwent spinal surgery performed by the defendant surgeon, was transferred to a rehabilitation facility owned by the co-defendant medical center for postoperative care. The plaintiffs claim that the surgeon and the medical center’s staff failed to provide adequate wound care and monitoring, leading to serious complications. Specifically, they allege that the medical center’s staff prematurely removed the plaintiff’s surgical sutures and neglected to address subsequent signs of infection or wound dehiscence.
Reportedly, these failures resulted in the plaintiff requiring additional medical interventions, including an irrigation and debridement procedure, as well as complex wound closure. The plaintiffs filed suit against the surgeon and the medical center, alleging medical malpractice and seeking damages for the injuries suffered. Following discovery, both defendants moved for summary judgment, asserting that they met the applicable standards of care and that any alleged deviation did not cause the plaintiff’s injuries. The trial court granted both motions, and the plaintiffs appealed.
Demonstrating Liability in Medical Malpractice Cases Involving Multiple Defendants
On appeal, the court reviewed the trial court’s rulings under the legal standards governing summary judgment in medical malpractice cases. To succeed on such a motion, the defendant must demonstrate that there was no departure from accepted medical practices or that any departure did not proximately cause the plaintiff’s injuries. Once the defendant meets this burden, the plaintiff must raise a triable issue of fact to defeat the motion.
The court found that the medical center’s motion for summary judgment was improperly granted. The plaintiffs submitted expert testimony asserting that the premature removal of surgical sutures and failure to recognize or treat infection constituted departures from accepted medical practices.
The court held that the plaintiffs’ expert, a qualified medical professional, raised legitimate issues of fact regarding the medical center’s responsibility for the plaintiff’s wound complications. As a result, the court denied summary judgment for the medical center, allowing the case against it to proceed.
In contrast, the court upheld the trial court’s ruling in favor of the surgeon. The court noted that the surgeon had provided appropriate discharge instructions and scheduled a follow-up appointment. The plaintiffs’ failure to attend this follow-up visit undermined their ability to establish a causal link between the surgeon’s actions and the plaintiff’s injuries. The plaintiffs’ expert testimony did not sufficiently rebut the surgeon’s evidence, leading the court to affirm summary judgment in his favor.
Talk to a Trusted Syracuse Medical Malpractice Attorney
While healthcare providers are expected to follow established standards of care, proving they failed to do so can be challenging. If you were injured by a doctor’s departure from the accepted practice of medicine, it is prudent to talk to an attorney about your rights. The trusted Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers are adept at demonstrating liability in claims against negligent healthcare providers, and if you hire us, we will zealously pursue the best legal outcome possible in your case. You can contact us to arrange a confidential and free meeting by using our online form or calling us at 833-200-2000.
