The Attorney General’s Office filed a complaint last month against a New Jersey anesthesiologist who has been performing major spinal surgeries without adequate education and training.  He has been accused of gross negligence, repeated acts of medical malpractice, and incompetence.  The hearing on the complaint could result in either the suspension or revocation of his medical license. 

Doctor Signs Agreement to Cease Surgical Work

Dr. Richard Kaul has voluntary consented to an order that restricts him from performing any back surgeries pending a full review by the state Medical Board.  However, the 47-year-old Kaul is still allowed to administer anesthesia in procedures for which he is not the surgeon and is able to perform minor surgical procedures.

Dr. Richard Kaul, who is a board-certified anesthesiologist, was banned from practicing medicine in England back in 2001.  He was convicted of manslaughter after a woman whom he had administered anesthesia to while undergoing a routine dental procedure had a heart attack and died.  Testimony revealed that the doctor talked on his phone during the procedure and ignored the patient’s blood oxygen levels that plummeted to dangerous levels.

Without disclosing his criminal conviction, Kaul came to the United States, finished his residency at Albert Einstein-Monefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, and began practicing medicine in the state of New Jersey.  This information was later discovered and Kaul received a six-month suspension in 2003 followed by a period of probation. 

The physician is the current owner of the New Jersey Spine and Rehabilitation Center in Pompton Lakes.  His facility, which is considered a one-room surgical office, requires the physician to have hospital privileges or file an application to seek board approval to perform surgery.  Dr. Kaul does not have the necessary hospital privileges.  Kaul also practices in several other offices in New Jersey as well as one in New York.  In addition, the website for his office contains numerous misrepresentations of his education, training, and credentials.

Deputy Attorney Complaint Warns the Public Is In Clear Danger

Spine surgeons in the United States undergo a long and vigorous educational process in order to receive the qualifications of being a certified specialist.  Doctors go through a three-year residency program followed by a two-year fellowship in a specific specialty area, such as spinal surgery.  Dr. Kaul took a two-week course in Seoul, South Korea on minimally invasive spinal surgeries and some hands on surgical training with cadavers through some continuing education courses.  The Deputy Attorney filed the complaint to protect the public from potential medical malpractice resulting from Dr. Kaul’s blatant disregard for his lack of education and training and his persistence in continuing to perform surgical procedures in which he does not have the accepted standard of surgical training to perform.

New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers at Legome & Associates – Experienced & Knowledgeable

It is hard to believe that a physician could so blatantly disregard the professional requirements of his position and so unashamedly exploit the confidence and trust placed in him by his patients; however, it happens time and time again and often results in catastrophic injuries to unsuspecting patients. The New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at Legome & Associates are experienced at handling all types of medical malpractice lawsuits.  We are a team of extremely skilled and compassionate professionals who are dedicated to ensuring you receive the proper compensation for your injuries. 

If you or a loved one has suffered from a serious injury as a result of medical malpractice by a health care professional, contact the New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers of Legome & Associates.  We represent clients throughout New Jersey, including the South Jersey communities of Burlington County, Camden County, Salem County, Gloucester County, Haddonfield, Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Haddon Heights, Marlton, Voorhees, and Mount Laurel.  We offer free and confidential consultations.  Call our Haddonfield, New Jersey office at 856-528-3284 or submit a free online inquiry.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review the majority of medical devices through a process called 510(k).  A patient safety loophole that has allowed ineffective and dangerous devices to be approved by the agency and sold has recently come under scrutiny.  Thousands of patients have already been harmed with many more at risk.  With each new client that walks into their offices seeking recovery for severe injuries, the Cherry Hill personal injury attorneys at Legome & Associates are reminded of the devastating effects of defective medical devices and the need for more effective regulation.

Loophole in the 510(k) Process Puts Patient’s Lives at Risk for Personal Injury

Under the 510(k) device approval process, the FDA does not require new medical devices to undergo clinical testing for safety and effectiveness.  Instead, manufacturers only need to show that the medical device is “substantially equivalent” or similar to a previously approved device even when the new device repeats an earlier model’s safety flaws.  Manufacturers are then able to sell the product and use it as a predicate or model for future devices.  The FDA can only reject a device from entering the market if an FDA or court order has taken the predicate or older device off the market.  This only occurs in rare instances because most companies voluntary recall their defective devices before a mandatory recall is issued.   As a result, many patients suffer from preventable injuries, and even death.

Many medical devices that are currently on the market today trace their design back to products that have been recalled due to safety issues.  Still, other devices are still used by the FDA as predicates for newer devices going through the approval process despite the fact that they have been recalled.  According to a recent Bloomberg article, a yearly average of 28 medical devices is given clearance by the FDA based on a previously recalled similar medical device.  Such products including the transvaginal mesh device have harmed many Americans.  The Cherry Hill personal injury attorneys at Legome & Associates have represented numerous individuals injured by defective products that never should have entered the market.

Severe Personal Injury Results from Transvaginal Mesh Implants Sold Without Clinical Testing

Transvaginal mesh implants have been utilized on thousands of women who have undergone bladder support surgery or surgery to combat pelvic organ prolapse.  The vaginal mesh implant has been linked to serious personal injury including pain, mesh erosion, bleeding, infection, and organ perforation.  Several deaths have occurred.  The transvaginal mesh implant was approved by FDA based on it being “substantially equivalent” to a previous product.  No clinical testing was required.  In addition, the earlier mesh product had been recalled due to post-surgical complications and resulting serious personal injury.  This is an example of the devastating effects the loophole in the 510(k) process can cause. 

Proposed Legislation to Improve Patient Safety & Prevent Personal Injury

House Democrats introduced a bill this past February that would permit the FDA to reject medical devices that are modeled after a previous design that has been recalled by the manufacturer.  It would also require manufacturers to submit information about previous recalls of the earlier modeled device.  The Agency would also be required to identify potential safety issues on already approved products.  The legislation seeks to improve patient safety and prevent personal injury.  Until Congress moves forward, the FDA will continue to approve devices that could result in patient pain and suffering, and even death.

Cherry Hill Personal Injury Attorneys at Legome & Associates Are Here to Help

The personal injury lawyers at Legome & Associates are experienced at handling all types of cases involving personal injury or product liability.  If you or someone you love has experienced serious complications after using or being implanted with a dangerous or defective medical device, you may be eligible to seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.  Representing clients throughout New Jersey, including the South Jersey communities of Burlington County, Camden County, Salem County, Gloucester County, Haddonfield, Moorestown, Haddon Heights, Voorhees, Marlton & Mt. Laurel, we are a team of extremely skilled personal injury attorneys who are dedicated to fighting for the financial compensation that you rightfully deserve.  Contact our Haddonfield, New Jersey office at (856) 528-3284 for a free and confidential consultation or submit a free online inquiry.

Factors that Affect the Increase in Car Accidents

The USAA study reported a 13 percent increase in at-fault car accidents during the first six months after troops in all areas of the armed forces return home. However, the branch, the soldier’s age, the number of times deployed and the duration of the deployments affect who is likely to be at an increased risk. A further break down of the analyzed data showed that the greatest increase of at-fault car crashes was among Army veterans. Marines had the next highest increase, while Navy and Air Force members showed minimal increases. At-fault auto accidents drastically increased for troops who have been deployed numerous times and for those troops that had prolonged deployments. The study also showed that military personnel under the age of 22 had more auto accidents than those over the age of 30. Losing control of a vehicle and unfamiliar objects in the road were reported by troops as being the major cause for car accidents.

Post-Deployment Anxiety to Blame for Auto Accident Increase

USAA collaborated with the University of Minnesota in researching behaviors that cause returning servicemen and women to have at-fault auto accidents. They found that many war veterans continue to drive on public roads the same way they drove in war zones. Half of the veterans who participated in the study reported that they feel anxious when other vehicles come near them too fast or block them in. The researchers found that post-deployed military personnel drive too fast, don’t stop at intersections and assume they have the right of way. Family and friends of returning soldiers reported their perception that their military loved ones drove more dangerously after their return. Some returning soldiers admitted that the simple act of driving makes them anxious, while military troops that have never been deployed reported no anxiety.

Call the Cherry Hill Auto Accident Lawyers at Legome & Associates

The Cherry Hill auto accident lawyers of Legome & Associates are committed to helping clients who have been involved in all types of car accidents.  They will protect your rights by thoroughly investigating your auto accident case and determining the cause of the auto accident.  Our car accident attorneys are devoted to our clients’ best interests and strive to successfully litigate their auto accident claims, ensuring they get the financial compensation and care to which you are entitled to under the law.  Located in Haddonfield, Camden County, the New Jersey personal injury firm of Legome & Associates has represented countless clients in auto accident cases throughout South Jersey, including the communities of Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Haddonfield, Haddon Heights, Voorhees, Berlin, Haddon Township, Camden, Gloucester, Burlington and surrounding areas. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident or any other motor vehicle accident, contact the Cherry Hill auto accident lawyers who get results at (856) 528-3284 for a free and confidential consultation or contact us online.

After reviewing the data, the New Jersey legislators decided to pass tougher cell phone laws.  In March 2008, the New Jersey became one of the first states in the nation that passed a law making the use of a handheld cell phone a primary violation.  This legislation also made it illegal to send text messages while driving.  As a primary offense, a law enforcement officer is permitted to pull over a driver and ticket a driver for using a handheld device of any type without any other traffic violation.  The fine for these violations is $100.  Today, law enforcement officers in New Jersey are ticketing nearly 10,000 drivers per month who violate the law.  These are the lucky violators of the law. The New Jersey auto accident attorneys at Legome & Associates deal directly with the more serious consequences of distracted driving – serious personal injury and death.

New Jersey Auto Accidents Are Not Decreasing Despite the Tough Cell Phone Laws

The most recent statistics by the State of New Jersey Department of Transportation are for the year 2010.  The total number of New Jersey auto accidents linked to driver cell phone use was 3,351.  This data compared to the 2006 statistics indicates that New Jersey’s tougher cell phone laws have not resulted in much of a decrease in the number of motor vehicle accidents in which cellphone use was listed as a factor. 

While the laws are necessary and the police officers will continue to enforce the imposed ban, it is also important to increase public awareness about the dangers of distracted driving with the hope of changing behaviors and attitudes towards the usage of cellphones and other devices while operating a vehicle.  As experienced New Jersey auto accident attorneys who have represented countless individuals impacted by distracted, careless, and sometimes even reckless, driving, our personal injury attorneys understand the grim circumstances of cell phone usage resulting in catastrophic automobile crashes. We support the position of transportation safety professionals who conclude that to eliminate distracted driving it will take a combination of the laws, increased education, and enforcement operations to make the roadways safer.

Call Our New Jersey Auto Accident Attorneys If Your Are a Victim of Distracted Driving

If you or a family member has been injured in a New Jersey car accident caused by a distracted driver, contact the personal injury lawyers at Legome & Associates.  Our New Jersey auto accident attorneys have extensive experience in handling all types of transportation accidents.  We can build a strong case on your behalf with the goal of seeking financial compensation for your injuries such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages sustained as a result of the car accident.  Call our office at 856-528-3284 or contact us online to speak with an experienced, skilled litigator about your New Jersey auto accident case.

New Jersey Patient Safety Act (NJPSA) Doesn’t Do Enough to Prevent Medical Malpractice

As part of the New Jersey Patient Safety Act (NJPSA), the facts stated in a report made by a peer review committee are subject to discovery, while the evaluative information contained in the reports is “privileged” and is therefore protected against disclosure.  New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys believe that withholding this information is unjust and unfair. While the issue of discoverability and confidentially continues in the state of New Jersey, similar struggles are occurring throughout the country.  The peer review statutes vary from state to state in regards to the level of protection given to the good faith review process.

Patient Safety & Quality Improvement Act Fails To Provide Full Disclosure

In 2005, Congress enacted the Patient Safety & Quality Improvement Act to improve patient safety by establishing a voluntary and confidential reporting system of adverse health care events.   The Act helped to create Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs) that work to improve the quality and safety of medical care by collecting and analyzing data that would help reduce medical errors.  Under the Act, the information reported to and reported on by PSOs is considered confidential.  In many courtrooms across the country, it has been debated whether the facts of the PSO reports are subject to discovery like those of the peer review reports. 

New Jersey Medical Malpractice Attorneys Advocate for Full Disclosure in Patient Safety Initiatives

While the debate over discoverability and confidentiality of the internal review process continues, New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers and patient safety advocates continue to fight for patient safety. Without full disclosure of medical errors and other unsafe situations in medical facilities, patients can never be fully protected from medical malpractice. Patients will continue to fall victim to the undisclosed failures and shortcoming of healthcare providers, and they will not be justly compensated for their resulting injuries.

The New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at Legome & Associates are experienced at handling all types of cases involving medical malpractice or medical errors.  Our team of extremely skilled New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys is dedicated to fighting for the financial compensation that you rightfully deserve.  If you or a loved one has suffered personal injuries as a result of a medical malpractice in New Jersey, contact our experienced medical malpractice attorneys to discuss your legal needs.  Call our Haddonfield office at (856) 528-32842 for a free case evaluation or submit a free online inquiry.

A medically retired U.S. Navy Senior Airman recently filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government suing for millions of dollars claiming that a routine medical procedure was botched so badly that both of his legs needed to be amputated.   The lawsuit alleges that the U.S. government, the Air Force, and the medical facility where care was rendered failed to supervise the quality of the health care services being provided as well as failing to initiate and follow through with patient safety policies and procedures.  Together with his wife, they are suing for pain and suffering, loss of wages, and physical and mental ailments as well as loss of enjoyment of life. 

Colton Read enlisted in the Air Force in 2007 becoming an intelligence analyst of satellite and drone imagery.  He was honored with an Achievement Medal in 2009 for his role in helping to rescue eight Americans in an overseas operation.  At the age of 20, he volunteered to deploy.  Advised by doctors, Read needed to take care of a gallbladder issue first.  The plan was for Read to undergo a minimally invasive procedure and return home that evening.  The laparoscopic gallbladder surgery went terribly wrong when a resident doctor sliced Read’s aorta with a surgical instrument.  The blood flow to both his lower extremities was compromised.  There was massive internal bleeding with drops in blood pressure requiring the surgeons to open up Read’s abdomen to locate the source of bleeding and attempt to repair it.  Airman Read survived the surgery, but the condition of his legs deteriorated.  He was transferred to a civilian hospital where both of his legs needed to be amputated.

The Feres Doctrine Protects Military Physicians from Medical Malpractice Claims

Clearly a case of medical malpractice, the facts of Airman Read’s ordeal may never be heard by a jury because of a long-standing controversial legal precedent called the Feres Doctrine. Named after the case of Feres vs. the United States of America in which an Army soldier died in his barracks from a fire and his family sued for wrongful death, the Feres Doctrine provides that the federal government cannot be held liable for injuries suffered in the course of military duty. The Feres Doctrine, which has been upheld for the past 62 years, protects the U.S. government from being held accountable for medical malpractice or other negligence suffered by members of the military. Injured military personnel are entitled to other no-fault compensation including pensions, disability benefits, and health care.  

There have been similar military medical malpractice cases in the past several years involving the Feres Doctrine in which the Supreme Court has declined to hear the cases.  Some examples of such cases are misdiagnosis, failure to treat, foreign objects being left inside patients, and routine surgeries gone awry. Attempts to repeal the doctrine have been unsuccessful.  The Supreme Court has refused to overturn the legal precedent and continues to uphold the doctrine.

Criticism of the Feres Doctrine

The Feres Doctrine has long been criticized as being unfair to the service men and women of this country.  Legal experts believe that the Feres Doctrine contributes to substandard care in the military medical system resulting in damages to military personnel and their families.  Many feel the doctrine is unjust, and that active-duty members of the military should have the right to seek compensation for the injuries caused by the federal government’s healthcare professionals.

The cost of changing the law has gotten some attention.  Some critics feel that Congress does not want to spend the amount of money it would take to bring the military medical system up to the same level as that of civilian standards.  Changing the law could also cost the government millions of dollars in medical malpractice claims especially if the law was made retroactive.  Others feel that if the law were changed, the level of care in the military hospitals would increase resulting in fewer medical malpractice and negligence claims. 

New Jersey Medical Malpractice Attorneys at Legome & Associates Agree the Feres Doctine is Unfair

The New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Legome & Associates are appalled that the Feres Doctrine continues to prevent innocent victim of obvious medical malpractice from seeking the compensation they so rightfully deserve. Our military fight for our freedoms and rights; ironically, they are denied the same rights as our civilians to sue for negligent medical care. We commend Airman Colton Read for his courage to pursue his case against the government and are optimistic that the public awareness of his situation will convince the U.S. District Court to overturn the unjust, universally criticized and outdated Feres Doctrine.

If you believe you or a loved one may have a claim for medical malpractice, call our Haddonfield office at 856- 528-3284 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced, knowledgeable New Jersey medical malpractice attorney or contact us online.  We practice throughout New Jersey, including the South Jersey counties of Camden, Burlington, Salem, Gloucester, Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May.  We have handled claims in virtually every area of medical malpractice such as surgical errors, failure to diagnose, and wrongful death.  Our team of extremely skilled medical malpractice attorneys is dedicated to seeking the maximum compensation for your injuries.

In 2005, Connecticut enacted a law that required plaintiffs in all medical malpractice cases to obtain opinions from medical experts supporting their allegations before they file medical malpractice lawsuits.  Now, state legislators have proposed a bill that would address this requirement and the fact that many legitimate malpractice cases are being dismissed as a result of it.   While Tort Reform advocates continue to attack the rights of victims of negligence to seek compensation for their injuries, the South Jersey medical malpractice lawyers of Legome & Associates applaud the efforts of these Connecticut lawmakers to protect the rights of medical malpractice victims in their state.

The current Connecticut law states that the experts who write the opinions for plaintiffs must have “similar” credentials to those of the health care provider that is being accused of medical malpractice and that the opinion letters must be attached to the complaints when they are filed.  The cost of obtaining an expert opinion letter can be very expensive.  The opinion letter that is required in the state of Connecticut is considered unconstitutional in several other states including Washington, Ohio, Arkansas, and Oklahoma because individuals who can’t afford them may not have the opportunity to take their case to court.

Medical Malpractice Cases Being Dismissed in the Court System

The purpose of the controversial law was to reduce the number of frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits and reduce high malpractice insurance rates.  However, according to an Associated Press review, many legitimate cases were kept out of the Connecticut court system leaving many healthcare professionals unaccountable for their actions. In fact, there has been a 20 percent drop in the number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed since the law went into effect.  State records show the annual number of cases has fallen from 364 to 292 per year.

Cases have been dismissed because either an opinion was not submitted when the lawsuit was first filed, or because the proffered expert opinion did not meet the requirements set forth in the law when the credentials of experts have come into question.  Some state judges have interpreted the law to mean that the experts writing the opinion letters need to have identical credentials to those professionals who allegedly committed medical malpractice. 

Many patients or their families that have suffered serious injuries and even death have had their cases dismissed in the court system.  An example of a case that had been dismissed is that of a 69-year-old man, who crashed his car while having a diabetic seizure.  He was discharged from the hospital with undiagnosed spine and leg fractures.  He later died of a heart condition caused by severe pain from his injuries.   The case was dismissed because a trauma surgeon provided his opinion letter and the defendant was an emergency room doctor.

Proposed Changes to Connecticut’s Medical Malpractice Law

The proposed changes to Connecticut’s Medical Malpractice law will increase the types of health care providers who can write the opinion letters, changing the requirement to “qualified” medical providers instead of “similar.”  The new legislation would also allow plaintiffs a period of 60 days to fix any issues with the opinion letters if ordered so by a judge. 

There are mixed opinions in regards to the changes proposed.  The American Medical Association is against the new legislation stating it may cause additional legal obstacles with the opinions being challenged, increased malpractice insurance rates, and deterring physicians from wanting to practice in the state.  On the other hand, The Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association is in favor of the bill stating that the legitimate medical malpractice victims will get their day in court, and not be hindered by the mandate’s requirements. 

South Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Haddonfield, New Jersey

The South Jersey medical malpractice lawyers at Legome & Associates are experienced at handling all types of New Jersey medical malpractice lawsuits.  We are a team of extremely skilled medical malpractice attorneys who are dedicated to ensuring you receive the proper compensation for your injuries.  If you or a loved one has suffered from a serious injury as a result of a medical error, misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose, or negligent care by a health care professional, contact the South Jersey medical malpractice lawyers of Legome & Associates for a free consultation.  Call our Haddonfield, New Jersey office at (856) 528-3284 or submit a free online inquiry.

As the number of injuries from New Jersey school bus accidents continues to grow, it is clear that when we send our children off to school we need to ask: “Are our children safe?”

Are Seatbelts Enough to Keep Children Safe in School Bus Accidents?

Long touted the “safest vehicle on the road” according to transportation authorities, school bus safety in New Jersey seemed to be an issue “put to rest” a long time ago when New Jersey lawmakers mandated seatbelts on school buses in 1992.  In fact, although federal law does not require seatbelts on school buses, New Jersey is one of only six states that make them mandatory. Despite the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) recommendation that school buses be equipped with seatbelts, the remaining states, including neighboring Pennsylvania, do not require them.

Most states rely on the theory of “compartmentalization” – that heavily padded seats absorb energy and lesson the effects of impact and that placing them close together creates a safe “compartment” preventing the child from being thrown about the school bus resulting in serious traumatic injuries. Supporters of the theory that compartmentalization is sufficient to protect our children point to relative low injury and fatality rates of school bus accidents as compared to other passenger vehicle crashes.  Studies show, however, that compartmentalization does not provide protection for bus rollovers or lateral (broadside) impacts. In these types of bus crashes, children have been seriously injured and have been killed.

Since 1992, New Jersey law has required school buses to have lap belts or other child restraint systems that meet federal standards and certain minimum seat back heights. Students are required to wear properly adjusted and fastened seatbelts while the bus is operating.  The law relieves school bus owners and operators of liability for a child’s failure to wear a seat belt if that failure directly results in an injury to the child. But who ensures that the child wears the seatbelt? In the case of the fatal school bus crash in Chesterfield, the NTSB has determined that seatbelts were worn at the time of the crash, but have yet to release information regarding whether everyone was wearing a seatbelt and what part seatbelts played in the number and extent of the injuries. Moreover, while seatbelt requirements may help protect some children in a school bus crash, the question remains “is that enough?”

While the debate over the effectiveness of mandatory seatbelt laws continues, the recent onslaught of New Jersey school bus accidents makes it very clear: school buses are not as safe as parents would hope. As each new school bus accident occurs resulting in injuries to innocent children, whether minor or catastrophic, the importance of school bus safety becomes the center of discussions, with transportation authorities, researchers and lawmakers struggling to find answers to questions that have been at issue for years.  One such lawmaker, New Jersey State Senator Donald Norcross, is currently drafting legislation that requires every New Jersey school bus to be fitted with strobe lights in order to make the vehicles more visible to oncoming vehicles. While a step in the right direction, since any means to increase school bus safety should be employed, will this new safety requirement be enough? We can only hope that this law, if and when enacted, will prevent at least one school bus accident that might otherwise have occurred.

New Jersey Bus Accident Attorneys Understand the Dangers of School Bus Transportation

If your child is injured in a school bus accident, contact the experienced New Jersey bus accident attorneys at Legome & Associates.  Our knowledgeable, compassionate New Jersey personal injury attorneys understand that the mechanics of a bus accident are much different than that of other motor vehicle accidents. We understand how bus accidents occur, the nature of the injuries sustained, the failure of safety precautions and the unique liability issues involved.  Our goal is to guide your family through this devastating and shocking experience and help your family be fully compensated for your suffering. Our New Jersey school bus accident attorneys are well-respected in the Courts of South Jersey, including Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Cumberland County, Salem County, Atlantic County and Cape May County. Call our Haddonfield office at 856-528-3284 to schedule a free consultation or contact us online.

Examples of Medical Malpractice

A New Jersey medical malpractice case can be filed for many reasons:

• Failure to Make a Diagnosis – failure to identify serious illnesses, such as cancer, despite regular examinations

•  Misdiagnosis – an incorrect or inaccurate diagnosis

• Carelessness in clinical care – acts or omissions in basic or emergent patient care

• Surgical errors – removal or operating on wrong organ, leaving foreign objects within the patient

• Birth injuries – failure to detect and treat preventable or repairable gestational injuries or illnesses; cerebral palsy resulting from failure to detect oxygen deprivation; injuries from the use of physical force, such as inappropriate or careless use of forceps

• Medication errors – administering the wrong medicine or prescription errors

• Carelessness in nursing care for the elderly

Call Legome & Associates’ New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers

The New Jersey medical malpractice lawyers of Legome and Associates understand how complex a medical malpractice lawsuit can be. Our lawyers have access to medical experts who will study the details of your case and provide the expert medical testimony necessary for a successful New Jersey medical malpractice case. Conveniently located in Haddonfield, New Jersey, we are available to meet with clients throughout South Jersey, including Cherry Hill, Voorhees, Marlton, Haddon Heights, Collingswood, Burlington County, Camden County, Salem County, Gloucester County and Atlantic County. Call us today at 856-528-3284 and contact us online.

Even Good Doctors Can be Guilty of Medical Malpractice

Such is the case with Dr. Aria Sabit, 36, who completed a seven year neurosurgical residency in Newark, New Jersey at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, serving as chief resident during his final year there.  During his New Jersey residency, Dr. Sabit performed many neurosurgical procedures under the guidance of University neurosurgeons.  According to Dr. Charles Prestigiacomo, who leads the neurosurgery residency program there, Dr. Sabit completed a highly successful residency. 

How is it then that Dr. Sabit could be the defendant in 17 medical malpractice lawsuits, just 17 months after leaving UMD in Newark, New Jersey?  Dr. Sabit landed his first job at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, California in April of 2009.  By December of 2010, Dr. Sabit was fired by Ventura County Neurosurgical Associates Medical Group after they asked the California Medical Board to begin an investigation into allegations against him. 

The majority of the medical malpractice complaints against Dr. Sabit allege that he performed spinal fusion surgeries that were unnecessary and resulted in personal injury and more surgery.  In spinal fusion surgery, metal hardware such as rods, screws, internal body cages, and plates are used to surround and support the spine while newly fused bone grafts.  Dr. Sabit’s patients claim that he over used and improperly placed hardware in their body, and that many screws used to secure hardware moved away from the bone, which made more surgery necessary. One of Dr. Sabit’s patients required a second surgery where doctors removed all hardware placed by Dr. Sabit because it was bent or improperly placed. There were also a high number of secondary infections reported.    In another medical malpractice case, a patient was told that he would be undergoing a non-invasive procedure, but Dr. Sabit decided to do a much more invasive surgical procedure without his consent.

Legome and Associates Specialize in New Jersey Medical Malpractice Cases

If you received spinal fusion surgery that you believe was unnecessary or improperly conducted, you may have been a victim of medical malpractice.  Medical malpractice suits are not easy to prove.  There is extensive investigation involved in demonstrating the incompetency of a doctor.  New Jersey laws require attorneys to prove that the medical professional performed a procedure that resulted in personal injury or death and that the medical professional failed to perform competently or without prior consent.   Case analysis, hospital records, medical records, expert review and reports, depositions and other discovery are just some of the items that precede a trial.  An experienced team of New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys with a history of successful outcomes are imperative to your success. 

The law office of Legome and Associates in Haddonfield, New Jersey is experienced in all aspects of Personal Injury Law, specifically in New Jersey Medical Malpractice lawsuits.  Our attorneys will begin with a comprehensive review of your case, and will be able to obtain sensitive medical records and witness testimony to support your claim.  We work with medical experts to gather pertinent evidence that is vital to your case.  We work for you and with you during all of the pre-trial stages and guarantee the highest quality legal representation in all court proceedings. Call us today, or visit us on the web to schedule a consultation. We are conveniently located in Haddonfield, near Cherry Hill, Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem and other South Jersey communities.