Man Loses Leg after Doctor Misdiagnosed Flesh-Eating Bacteria Condition – Rights of Victims of Medical Malpractice in New York City Explained
A Stuart, Florida man received encouraging news earlier this year in April after he was awarded $3.2 million in his medical malpractice case against the medical professionals that caused him to lose his leg. According to local news reports, WPTV, Russell Caughey lost his leg in November, 2018, after what seemed to be a fairly normal fall down the steps. Mr. Caughey says of the event that started everything, “I was working at my trailer … and carrying an air conditioner, slipped on some bricks. When my leg went down in there and I set it over to the side and pulled my leg out, and then looked at it and everything looked fine…It was still attached, so I kept working. The next day, it started swelling, and I thought I had just twisted my ankle.” Mr. Caughey then went to the emergency room for medical care at Martin North Hospital in Stuart, but was told that he only had a sprained ankle. Four days later, Mr. Caughey returned to the hospital sicker than before. According to Mr. Caughey, at that time, his doctors said, “They said, ‘Well, you got staph, you got gangrene and you’re going to lose your leg,’ all in around 12 days from when I hurt myself.”
Ultimately, a Martin County, Florida jury agreed with Mr. Caughey that his doctor failed to meet the standard of care and was negligent in misdiagnosing Mr. Caughey’s condition that led to his leg amputation. Accordingly, the jury awarded Mr. Caughey $3.2 million in his medical malpractice case against the hospital and treating medical team. Cleveland Clinic, the owner of Martin North Hospital, said of the result, “The well-being of our patients is our top priority…Cleveland Clinic does not comment on litigation.” In contrast, Mr. Caughey said of the result, “When the doctor tells you something, get a second opinion…it ain’t gonna hurt.” We agree with this motto, and recommend to all our clients that when in doubt, get a second opinion. It’s perfectly normal to speak to several professionals about your condition, especially if it requires a surgical procedure, or extensive medical treatment of any kind. If you consult with multiple doctors and they don’t agree on your condition or treatment, then you know you need to seriously evaluate your situation and determine the best course of treatment for you. You may have options available to you which permit you to undergo different forms of treatment to assess and treat your condition. You may be better off getting less invasive treatment initially, and if it is not effective, you can opt for more invasive treatment or procedures later on.
New York City Medical Malpractice Victims have Rights to Justice
In New York City, when a patient is injured due to the negligence of their doctors and medical professionals, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and losses under New York medical malpractice laws. Under New York City medical malpractice laws, victims of medical malpractice in New York City have a limited time to file a claim in court for compensation. That is why it is so important to call us as soon as you experience a medical malpractice event. If you wait, you could lose or waive all of your legal rights to pursue a claim due to the statute of limitations expiring. Accordingly, if you were injured by your doctor or medical team in New York City, it is best to speak with an experienced New York City medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible about your case.
Legal Help for Medical Malpractice Victims in New York City
If you are a victim of medical malpractice in New York City do not hesitate to speak to an experienced New York City medical malpractice lawyer about your rights and options. The experienced New York City medical malpractice lawyers at the law firm of Michael Gunzburg, P.C. are here to help. Contact the experienced New York City medical malpractice lawyers at the law office of Michael Gunzburg, P.C. and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
Source:
wptv.com/news/local-news/investigations/martin-county-man-wins-3-2-million-lawsuit-against-doctor-who-allegedly-misdiagnosed-flesh-eating-bacteria
