Tag: medical malpractice cases

When you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstance of selecting a personal injury attorney or a medical malpractice lawyer, the barrage of lawyer advertisements on billboards, social media, and TV commercials can be overwhelming. Is a flashy ad promising swift justice the best way to search for a “personal injury lawyer near me” and find capable legal representation for your injury case? These advertisements, while eye-catching, often fail to reflect a lawyer’s true experience, skill, or success rate. Relying solely on a billboard or an ad can be deceptive and perhaps detrimental to your case. Therefore, taking matters into your own hands and conducting thorough research when selecting a medical malpractice or personal injury attorney is crucial.

Bigger is Not Always Better

One essential aspect to review is the size of the personal injury law firm you work with. While large mega-firms may seem impressive, smaller firms offer unique advantages that can significantly benefit your case. Smaller personal injury firms often provide a more personalized approach to legal representation, ensuring you are not just another case number in a sea of clients. Instead, you become a valued individual deserving of a strong focus on your personal injury case.

In smaller firms, it’s common for firm partners to be directly involved in evaluating your case and guiding its progress. This level of personal involvement ensures that your case receives the attention it deserves from experienced professionals deeply invested in its success. In a mega firm, your case may be passed off to junior associates or paralegals, while smaller firms prioritize quality over quantity. This assures that every client receives the highest level of legal representation.

Moreover, smaller firms can handle cases of all sizes, from minor accidents to complex medical malpractice claims. Their versatility and agility allow them to adapt to the unique needs of each case, providing tailored strategies and solutions to achieve the best possible outcome for their clients.

Tips for Selecting a Personal Injury Attorney 

Choosing the right attorney for your personal injury or medical error case requires careful consideration and research. Here are some essential tips to help you make an informed decision:

  1. Evaluate Experience and Expertise: Seek out attorneys who specialize in personal injury or medical malpractice cases and have a proven history of success. Review a medical malpractice attorney’s credentials, case history, and client endorsements to gauge their level of expertise and competence.
  2. Consider Communication and Accessibility: Effective communication and collaboration are crucial in any legal proceeding. Choose a personal injury attorney who is accessible, responsive, and prepared to keep you informed throughout the process. You should feel comfortable asking questions and vocalizing concerns.
  3. Assess Resources and Support Staff: Inquire about the resources and support staff available to assist with your case. A well-equipped medical malpractice law firm with experienced paralegals, investigators, and other professionals can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your legal representation.
  4. Discuss Fees and Payment Structure: Ask about fees and payment arrangements upfront to avoid any surprises later on. Some injury lawyers prefer a contingency fee agreement. This means they only get paid if they settle or win your case and there is a monetary recovery. Other attorneys may require upfront retainer fees. Make sure you understand the terms of engagement before proceeding.
  5. Trust Your Instincts: Choose a personal injury lawyer who provides you with a sense of confidence and support throughout the legal process. Your personal injury attorney should be your advocate and ally, fighting tirelessly on your behalf to achieve the justice and compensation you deserve.

Benefits of Working with the Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen Personal Injury Firm

Working with the DKY Personal Injury Firm offers many benefits that larger firms often struggle to match. The personal injury attorneys at Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen have the experience and flexibility to handle the most complex medical malpractice claims, ensuring that every client receives individualized attention and dedicated support. The accomplished team of DKY injury lawyers achieves maximum results, leveraging their years of experience and know-how to secure favorable outcomes. DKY personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers prioritize maintaining a stellar reputation within the legal community, earning respect from judges, fellow attorneys, and insurance companies. This reputation for excellence enhances their credibility and serves as a valuable source of referrals, demonstrating a dedication to delivering outstanding service and achieving justice for their clients.

Select the Most Qualified Personal Injury Attorney

While billboards and advertisements may catch your eye, they should not be the sole basis for selecting a personal injury lawyer or medical malpractice attorney. By conducting thorough research, considering the advantages of smaller firms, and following the essential tips we mentioned, you can select the right attorney to represent your interests and confidently navigate the complexities of your case. Your selection of an attorney can impact the outcome of your case, so make an intelligent choice based on the best advocate for your rights.

Contact a DKY personal injury lawyer in Wilkes-Barre today.Meet with a personal injury or medical malpractice lawyer for a no-obligation case evaluation. Tap to learn more about DKY personal industry cases.

 

Michael J. Kowalski, a partner with DKY Law Firm, has been representing individuals and their families in personal injury matters for 30 years. These include cases involving medical malpractice, medical errors, birth injuries, and auto and truck accidents, among others. If you are injured, you want Attorney Kowalski and the DKY Law Firm fighting for you. Contact Attorney Kowalski today.

 

 

Jeffrey A. Yelen, a partner with DKY Law Firm, is an Elder Law Attorney who brings 25 years of estate planning, probate and estate litigation experience to the clients he serves. He is head of the firm’s Elder Law and Estate Services division and is highly experienced in Wills, Estates, and Trusts.  When you are searching for an Elder Law Lawyer, Attorney Yelen can provide the skilled legal representation you and your family need. Contact Attorney Yelen.

 

A delay in stroke diagnosis or failure to diagnose a stroke can lead to permanent brain damage or even death. Delay in diagnosis or failure to diagnose a stroke might happen for a variety of reasons. One of the most critical mistakes a medical professional can make is a misdiagnosis of a stroke. According to the American Heart Association 2022 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update Fact Sheet, stroke accounted for 1 of every 19 deaths in the United States. On average, someone died of a stroke every 3 minutes and 30 seconds.

7 Possible causes for a delay in stroke diagnosis  

  1. Failure on the part of a medical professional to properly prioritize the care of a patient based on the severity of injury/illness.
  2. Failure on the part of a healthcare professional to ask about risk factors and take a detailed medical history.
  3. Inadequate levels of medical staff in a healthcare facility.
  4. Failure by a physician to conduct a proper physical exam or order the appropriate testing based on symptoms.
  5. Lack of experience on the part of medical staff.
  6. Failure to properly monitor a patient.
  7. Failure to follow proper protocol for stroke patients

Tests to help properly diagnose a stroke 

Getting the proper medical treatment quickly when suffering a stroke is critical for minimizing the side effects and preventing death. This includes a thorough physical and neurological exam. Unfortunately, an ER doctor or other medical professional might overlook or ignore early signs of a stroke. It happens more often than you may realize, causing a critical delay in treatment. Here are some tests that can help properly diagnose a stroke. 

  • Magnetic resonance imaging or MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves to take a detailed picture of a brain. It’s sharper than a CT scan and
    MRI ( Magnetic resonance imaging ) of brain

    can show injuries earlier than a traditional CT scan.

  • CT scans. Through computerized tomography (CT) scans, a physician takes several x-rays from different angles and puts them together to show if there’s any bleeding in the brain or damage to brain cells.
  • Carotid ultrasound. This type of ultrasound uses sound waves to find fatty deposits that may have narrowed or blocked arteries that carry blood to your brain.
  • This imaging test of the heart can look for clots in the heart or enlarged parts of the heart. Sometimes clots that form in another part of the body, such as the heart, will travel to the brain.
  • Angiograms of the head and neck. This is a dye test that enables a physician to see blood vessels with an X-ray. It can help find a blockage or aneurysm.

If you’re advocating for someone you believe is having a stroke, don’t be afraid to request these tests.

The use of tPA as a stroke treatment

tPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) is a powerful drug used to help dissolve a clot that may be causing a patient’s stroke and restore blood flow to the brain. tPA would only be given to a patient with an ischemic or blockage-type stroke. Ischemic strokes account for about 85% of all strokes in the U.S. and tPA is a common treatment of ischemic stroke caused by a clot. It would be very dangerous if given to a patient who is already bleeding, such as one suffering from a hemorrhagic stroke. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when an artery in the brain leaks blood or ruptures.  For tPA to be used correctly, a brain scan is used to determine what type of stroke occurred, if there is a clot, and if so, where it is located. tPA must be given within three hours of the first sign of ischemic stroke.

Consequences of failure to diagnose a stroke 

Many victims of delayed stroke diagnosis face lengthy recovery and lifelong medical bills. Importantly, failure to diagnose and properly treat a stroke can result in serious neurological impairments, including:

  • Loss of motor skills
  • Paralysis
  • Speech impairment
  • Memory problems & difficulty understanding
  • Diminished reading comprehension & writing ability
  • Behavioral changes
  • Depression
  • Difficulty eating or swallowing
  • Seizures

When a stroke happens, minutes matter

Sadly, one of the most frequent types of medical malpractice cases we see is a failure to diagnose a stroke. As we mentioned above, stroke treatment is most successful with early intervention and proper diagnosis and care. Importantly, delay in diagnosis can have lifelong consequences for a stroke patient. The National Institute of Health reported that each year, about 795,000 people in the U.S. suffer from strokes. It is a leading cause of death and disability. If you or a loved one have been injured because of failure to diagnose a stroke, the medical misdiagnosis lawyers at Distasio & Kowalski can help.

Tap to learn more about Stroke Misdiagnosis.

Tap to read a blog about the Warning Signs & Risk Factors for a stroke.