Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf is a New York Plaintiff's personal injury law firm specializing in automobile accidents, construction accidents, medical malpractice, products liability, police misconduct and all types of New York personal injury litigation.

Articles Posted in Medical Malpractice

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webinar on Ben's medical malpractice verdict of $120 million
NYSTLI Dean Anthony Pirrotti, Jr., Esq., will be hosting a Discussion with our managing partner and celebrated Trial Attorney Ben Rubinowitz, Esq.; Trial Judge Paul. I. Marx; and Defense Attorney Alfred Vigorito, Esq. next Monday May 20, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM ET.

Ben and our law firm handled a complex Stroke case  involving a 41-year-old individual who was employed, married, and had children. Due to alleged malpractice, he ended up in a nursing home, unable to care for himself or his family. We will discuss the development of this malpractice case, including medical and defense aspects, discovery, depositions, and Motions in Limine. We will emphasize the significance of pleadings and expert responses for both the plaintiff and defendant and how these issues influenced the trial.

Topics include jury selection, binding statements and omissions during jury selection and openings, cross-examination of plaintiff and defendant witnesses, dismissal of a third-party defendant, the potential repercussions of aggressively attacking a witness, leveraging the defendant doctor as an expert, and the introduction of newly asserted cross-claims at trial. Additionally, we will explore the understanding of 50-A and 50-B statutes, the concept of “Loss of Chance,” the valuation of loss of consortium claims, directed verdicts against a defendant, and the strategy of defendants pointing fingers at each other.

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Ben to lecture on Medmal in Long Island NYOur managing partner, Ben Rubinowitz, will be sharing his unparalleled expertise at the upcoming Long Island Radiological Society Lecture Series on May 14th,  Ben will deliver a compelling presentation titled “How to Avoid Medical Malpractice & What to Do if You are Named in a Lawsuit,” aimed at equipping medical professionals with essential knowledge to navigate the complexities of medical malpractice claims.

About Ben Rubinowitz

Ben Rubinowitz has distinguished himself as a leading trial lawyer over an impressive 30-year career. His journey in law began as a prosecutor, a role that honed his formidable courtroom skills. Since joining Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf in 1989, Ben has specialized in representing severely injured plaintiffs in personal injury cases. His dedication and skill have not only resulted in numerous accolades, including being named Best Lawyers “Lawyer Of The Year” six times, but also reflect his commitment to his clients.

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Medical Malpractice Lawyer Ben RubinowitzWe are pleased to announce that Ben Rubinowitz, our managing partner and a distinguished trial lawyer with expertise in medical malpractice litigation, will be a featured speaker at the American Urologic Association National Meeting. This pivotal event is currently underway and will conclude on May 6th. Ben is scheduled to present on Sunday, May 5, 2024. His session, titled “MEDICAL MALPRACTICE: How to Protect Yourself and What to Do If You Are Named In A Lawsuit,” is indispensable for any medical professional seeking to navigate the complexities of medical malpractice law.

With more than three decades of legal experience, Ben has earned a formidable reputation as one of the top attorneys in America. He has been honored multiple times with the “Lawyer of the Year” award by Best Lawyers and is consistently ranked among the top ten lawyers in the New York Metro area by New York Super Lawyers. His career is marked by a commitment to those in critical need, securing numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in intricate personal injury and medical malpractice cases.

One of his notable achievements includes a landmark $120 million verdict in a medical malpractice case against Westchester Medical Center. This case centered around the negligent handling of William Lee, a 41-year-old stroke patient, who suffered irreversible brain damage due to delayed medical response by the attending team. This verdict underscored the crucial importance of experienced and timely care in medical emergencies.

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TMJ DisorderThe recent investigative piece by KFF Health News and CBS News on the daunting realities faced by patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders sheds light on a deeply troubling aspect of healthcare. The narrative, meticulously detailed through the experiences of patients like Lisa Schmidt and Jenny Feldman, echoes a recurring theme of misdiagnosis, ineffective treatments, and, most distressingly, a lack of accountability in the medical community. As medical malpractice attorneys, we see these stories not just as tragic accounts of individual suffering but as symptomatic of systemic failures in medical research, regulation, and treatment protocols.

The TMJ disorders, affecting up to 33 million Americans, exemplify a medical condition that has been marginalized and insufficiently researched. The journey of patients like Feldman, who has undergone at least 24 TMJ-related surgeries with little to no relief, underscores the dire need for a paradigm shift in how the medical community approaches TMJ. The investigation rightly points out that despite nearly a century of attempts to treat TMJ, the disorder remains widely misunderstood, and treatments often do more harm than good.

Patients trapped in a cycle of futile surgeries highlight a critical area of concern: the ethical responsibility of healthcare providers

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Postoperative_X-ray_of_normal_knee_prosthesis,_lateral_viewAn investigation presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons meeting in February 2024, delivers a compelling narrative on the comparative outcomes of robotic-assisted knee replacement surgeries versus the conventional approach. As surgical malpractice attorneys entrenched in the intersection of medical innovation and patient outcomes, this study serves as a crucial touchstone for understanding the potential implications on patient care and legal practice.

At the heart of the discussion is the study’s revelation: robotic assistance in cementless total knee replacement surgeries does not significantly decrease the likelihood of patients requiring revision surgery within two years when compared to manual methods. This conclusion draws attention not only for its clinical implications but also for its potential to reshape perceptions of medical negligence in the context of emerging surgical technologies.

The research analyzed 9,220 cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures recorded in the American Joint Replacement Registry from January 2017 to March 2020. The finding that both robotic-assisted and manual knee replacements had similar rates of implant loosening and infection challenges the narrative that robotic assistance inherently enhances surgical precision and patient outcomes.

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Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn fights for better maternal careAssembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn was recently interviewed by  New York Family. Her advocacy and personal experiences shine a critical light on Maternal Health issues. As birth injury and maternal death attorneys dedicated to the protection and advancement of maternal health rights, we find Rodneyse’s story not only compelling but also deeply instructive.

Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, serving as the Assemblywoman for New York State’s 42nd Assembly District and the Brooklyn Democratic Chair, has positioned herself at the forefront of the fight against the maternal health crisis affecting minorities. Her efforts are underscored by a painful personal narrative—a pre-term pregnancy loss that highlighted the stark deficiencies in maternal healthcare and communication. This experience catalyzed her commitment to improving maternal healthcare through legislative action, culminating in the enactment of the “Jonah Bichotte Cowan Law.”

Legal Implications and the Role of Attorneys

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Patients have higher risks in hospitals acquired by private equityA recent investigation published in JAMA has sparked serious concerns within the healthcare community, especially among those of us in the field of medical malpractice law. This study reveals that patients are significantly more likely to experience adverse events, such as infections or falls, in hospitals owned by private equity (PE) firms.

Increased Risks for Patients

The study highlights a 25% increase in hospital-acquired conditions among Medicare beneficiaries admitted to PE hospitals. Patients have a nearly  38% increased chance of experiencing a central line infection and a 27% higher likelihood of falls in PE-backed hospitals compared to control facilities.

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case-analysis

Our managing partner, Trial Attorney Ben Rubinowitz going to be doing a Case Analysis hosted by Nathan Werksman on Trial Lawyers University about the $120 million medical malpractice verdict he just received in Westchester.  The webinar will be on January 10, 2024 at 1:30pm.

“Lee v Westchester Medical Center” is a legal case revolving around medical malpractice and delayed treatment. The patient, a 41-year-old man, suffered a Basilar artery stroke. His wife found him unconscious at 3 am, and he was subsequently transferred to Westchester Medical Center. Initially, the stroke was misdiagnosed by resident radiologist and neurologist as an infection or dissection, delaying the correct treatment by three hours. When a more experienced radiologist later identified the stroke, a thrombectomy was performed.

The plaintiff’s claim focused on this delay, arguing that it resulted in significant brain damage and severe short-term memory issues, depriving the patient of a chance for a better recovery. The defense conceded the misdiagnosis but argued that the stroke’s severity, not the delayed treatment, caused the brain damage. They posited that the damage occurred between 10 pm and the patient’s hospital arrival, and earlier treatment wouldn’t have altered the outcome.

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plastic syringes can be defective
The Food and Drug Administration’s recent focus on the potential quality issues of plastic syringes manufactured in China has sent ripples through the healthcare and legal communities. As product liability and medical malpractice attorneys, we are closely monitoring this situation, which raises significant concerns about patient safety and the legal implications for manufacturers, healthcare providers, and consumers.

The FDA’s investigation was sparked by reports of quality issues with several Chinese manufacturers. The primary concerns include leaks, breakages, and the inability of these syringes to deliver the correct dose of medication. These issues are not just minor inconveniences but potential hazards that could lead to serious medical complications.

The FDA’s advice to healthcare providers and consumers to consider using non-Chinese manufactured syringes where possible highlights the gravity of the situation. For healthcare providers, this advisory necessitates a review of their supply chains and a potential shift in procurement strategies. Consumers, particularly those who rely on syringes for chronic conditions, are now faced with the additional burden of verifying the origin of their medical supplies.

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120M Verdict by our Medical Malpractice AttorneysIn a landmark decision that highlights the importance of timely medical intervention, a Westchester County jury awarded a record-setting $120 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit against Westchester Medical Center. This verdict, delivered on November 30, 2023, after a four-week trial, marks the largest award ever in a medical malpractice case in Westchester County.

The case revolved around the hospital’s negligence in treating 41-year-old William Lee, who suffered from a stroke in 2018. Rushed to the hospital by ambulance, Lee was the victim of a critical delay in treatment. The jury found that inexperienced doctors on call were responsible for a three-hour delay in removing a clot from Lee’s basilar artery. This delay led to extensive brain damage, necessitating lifelong care at a residential brain injury center.

The tragedy of this case is underscored by the extent of Mr. Lee’s injuries. The damage to his brain has severely impaired his judgment and short-term memory, rendering him dependent on round-the-clock care and unable to provide for his family. The compensation awarded includes provisions for his future medical needs, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and compensation for his wife for the loss of his services and society.