• Steven Pegalis Named 2016 Lawyer of the Year

    January 13, 2016, Lake Success, NY–The law firm of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC announces that founding partner Steven E. Pegalis has been selected as 2016 “Lawyer of the Year,” and is the only Plaintiffs’ Medical Malpractice lawyer in New York to receive this honor. A “Lawyer of the Year” distinction reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the region and practice areas for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity. As one of the nation’s foremost medical malpractice trial lawyers, Pegalis advocates for seriously injured victims of negligence, and has obtained some of the highest jury verdicts and settlements. He and his firm have provided peace of mind, a sense of justice, and financial security for more than 2,000 clients. His Firm’s personal investment in each case has brought about consistent success for patients. Stacks of thank-you notes and photos from clients are among his most prized processions. In addition to the Lawyer of the Year award, Steven E. Pegalis is listed in the 2016 Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.

    Steven Pegalis was also recently named co-director of the groundbreaking initiative–The Patient Safety Project at New York Law School– to contribute to medical safety and health law for the public good. Steve Pegalis is the author of American Law of Medical Malpractice, Volumes 1-3, now in its 3rd edition. He is an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York Law School and serves on the school’s Board of Trustees.

    About Pegalis & Erickson, LLC

    Pe galis & Erickson is a personal injury law firm with a focus on representing seriously injured people that suffered medical negligence. We have won some of the largest verdicts in New York State history for birth trauma, misdiagnosed cancers, and surgical errors, and have obtained justice for serious construction and accident victims. In our forty years of practice, we have helped more than 2,000 people obtain funds for services they need to survive live day-to-day. We are advocates for patient safety and medical accountability to ensure safer medical practices for better patient care. Visit us at www.pegalisanderickson.com . For health news you can use follow us on Twitter and Facebook .

    Contact: echristie@pegalisanderickson.com

    Ellen Christie (516) 684-2900

  • What Should You Do if You Think Your Baby Was Injured at Birth?

    Birth injuries are sometimes apparent shortly after delivery of the child, while in other cases it may take weeks, months, or even years before impairments are evident. If you suspect that your child’s symptoms or functional impairments may have been caused by birth trauma, you may wish to speak with a birth injury lawyer. An attorney can review your situation, explain your legal rights, and help you consider your legal options.

    Providing Postnatal Care birth injuries Long Island

    After your child is born, your most pressing concern is his or her postnatal care. If birth injuries are immediately apparent, you should find out as much as you can from the medical staff what the diagnosis is and what it means for your child. Learn about the potential long-term consequences, and explore the types of specialized medical care and therapies your child may need. Some patients may hesitate to seek a second opinion, but you do have the right to take your child to a different doctor or specialist.

    Contacting an Attorney

    Welcoming a new child into the family is a joyous—and hectic—time. However, it’s best not to delay contacting a birth injury lawyer if you suspect medical malpractice. Deadlines, known as statutes of limitations, apply to medical malpractice claims. Meeting with an attorney to discuss the situation does not automatically obligate you to file a claim. The birth injury lawyer can investigate the situation, review medical records, and consult other professionals if need be to determine whether medical malpractice may have played a role in your child’s birth injuries.

    Weighing Your Legal Options

    If indeed there is a basis to file a medical malpractice claim, you’ll likely have a lot of questions for your birth injury lawyer. Carefully consider whether going ahead with a claim is in the best interests of your family. Children who have birth injuries may be permanently disabled and require extensive care for their lifetime. If you do file a claim, a jury award or settlement could allow you to meet your child’s needs.

    In the aftermath of birth trauma, it can be difficult to find the answers your family deserves. The medical malpractice team at Pegalis & Erickson, LLC is dedicated to helping families uncover the truth about their children’s injuries. You can call our malpractice law firm in Long Island, New York at (516) 684-2900 to arrange for effective legal advocacy services.

  • The Risks of Oxygen Deficiencies During Birth

    birth injuries Long Island Oxygen deprivation during birth can lead to very serious health problems for the infant. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the medical term for oxygen deficiencies of the brain. Sometimes, it is the result of medical malpractice. If oxygen to the brain is not restored promptly, brain tissue can be permanently damaged and the infant may be diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

    A cerebral palsy lawyer can represent families affected by HIE caused by medical malpractice. The affected children may experience severe impairments, including intellectual disabilities, impaired motor function, swallowing disorders, and speech delays. The severity of these impairments can vary widely. For example, some children may be unable to walk unaided, while others may only have mild muscle spasticity.

    The medical negligence lawyers of Pegalis & Erickson, LLC have a long history of successfully litigating cases involving birth injuries in Long Island, New York. If your child was diagnosed with birth trauma, call us at (516) 684-2900 and let us know how we can help your family.

  • What Are Your Rights if Your Child Is Injured During Birth?

    Every day, countless families eagerly await the birth of a child. But for some families, a child’s birth may also mean coping with serious birth injuries. Birth injuries can sometimes be the result of medical malpractice, such as when a medically indicated C-section is delayed causing permanent brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. If your child was diagnosed with birth injuries, you should know that you do have legal rights. Even if you aren’t sure whether your child’s diagnosis was the result of medical malpractice, you can contact a personal injury attorney for more information.

    Obtaining Your Medical Records birth injuries Long Island

    Under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you have the right to obtain a copy of your medical records. With a few exceptions, healthcare providers are required to provide copies of medical records upon request within 30 days. If the medical records are not available within 30 days (or sooner, depending on state law), the provider must give a reason for the delay. If you believe your right to access your medical records is being interfered with, a medical malpractice lawyer can file a HIPAA Privacy Rule Complaint.

    Getting a Second Opinion

    It’s every patient’s right to obtain a second opinion. If your child was injured during birth, you can take him or her to a different pediatrician or another health care specialist. If you already have the medical records by this point, it’s a good idea to bring them with you to have the other doctor assess them.

    Consulting a Medical Malpractice Lawyer

    Another legal right patients have is the right to consult a medical malpractice attorney. You can schedule an initial consultation to have your case reviewed, even if you aren’t sure whether medical negligence played a role in your child’s injuries. Scheduling a consultation does not obligate you to file a claim; however, you can explore your options for legal recourse.

    In the wake of a serious diagnosis, it can be difficult for families to know which steps to take next. At Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, our birth injury lawyer in Long Island, New York can help families understand their legal rights and options. Families of children diagnosed with birth injuries are invited to call us at (516) 684-2900 to schedule a case review.

  • Dealing with Injuries After a C-Section

    birth injuries Long Island A cesarean section, or C-section, has the potential to cause injuries to both mother and child. Sometimes, birth trauma occurs when the C-section is delayed, despite indicators that an emergency C-section is warranted. This can be an example of medical malpractice. Other possible risks of a C-section include damage to the mother’s internal organs or breathing problems of the baby. After a C-section, patients can expect an extended hospital stay and a longer overall recovery time. They can also expect higher medical bills, particularly if additional medical care was required for C-section injuries.

    Although recovering from injuries after a C-section is of the highest priority, families may wish to consider talking to a medical malpractice attorney sooner, rather than later. If indeed medical malpractice was to blame for the injuries, families must file a claim before the statute of limitations expires. A settlement or jury award can help families cover the cost of the medical bills, lost wages, and any ongoing care needs of the mother and child.

    At Pegalis & Erickson, LLC, our medical negligence lawyers serving Long Island, New York will handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on your recovery and on caring for your little one. Even if you aren’t sure whether you have a claim, you can call us at (516) 684-2900 for legal guidance.