Hematology Errors Can be a Killer

In the United States, there are over 15,000 hematologists practicing medicine. A hematologist is a licensed physician that specializes in the study of blood, blood-forming organs, and blood disorders in order to diagnose and treat patients with blood-related diseases.

Some types of blood disorders include:

• Sickle Cell;
• Hemophilia;
• Lymphoma;
• Leukemia;
• Thalassemia;
• Myeloperoxidase deficiency;
• Von Willebrand disease;
• Thrombocytopenia;
• Factor V Leiden;
• Antithrombin deficiency; and
• Evans syndrome, among others.

In New York State, a physician must provide a patient with a generally accepted standard of care. The failure to do so may result in a medical error, which may cause a patient to suffer severe or sometimes fatal injuries. Here, a medical error such as a delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis of a blood disease may give rise to a medical malpractice claim.

Medical malpractice occurs when a physician deviates from the appropriate standard of care and as result causes harm to the patient. If this occurs, a patient may recover damages for their injuries. This may include compensation for the following damages:

• Medical expenses;
• Pain and suffering;
• Rehabilitation; and
• Lost wages, among others.

In New York State, a patient has two years and six months from the date the malpractice occurred to file a lawsuit. Common medical errors by hematologists include:

• Misreading lab reports;
• Failing to compare old lab reports to new reports;
• Improper treatment;
• Failing to order the proper blood tests;
• Failing to review the lab results in a timely manner;
• Missed or delayed diagnosis;
• Lab work mix-up;
• Failing to follow up, communicate, or request test results.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured as a result of a medical professional’s negligence, it is important to contact an experienced New York malpractice lawyer who can advise you of your legal rights and remedies. The medical malpractice lawyers at Goldberg Sager & Associates are experienced in handling various personal injury matters, including medical malpractice, and are dedicated to helping their clients achieve the best possible outcome for their case. To schedule a free phone consultation with our Brooklyn medical malpractice lawyers, call (347) 497-3245.