Phone: (516) 487-8207
In March of 2010, Paul Dlug broke his hip and would spend the following year in pain and frustration, recovering from a post-operative infection he contracted at John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson.
Dlug, 66, had been dancing when he fell over a chair and was rushed to the hospital for hip-replacement surgery. The open cut likely accepted staphylococcus bacteria from his skin, where bacteria is usually innocuous until it explores the blood stream.
Dr. Geoffrey Westrich, co-chair of the hospital's infection control committee and the man who supervised the infection's removal, explained the nature of the infection. Although bacteria is often fought with antibiotics, this bacteria was able to stick to the artificial hip and form a protective layer of slime. The way out was therefore to remove the artificial hip. In order to do so and prevent the bacteria's recurrence, the operation had to take place over many weeks until the hip was replaced again.
Meanwhile, Mr. Dlug's suffering was acute. First, he was consigned to 38 days in three hospitals after the surgery. Eight weeks were spent on antibiotics, another eight weeks were in a wheelchair, and another eight weeks were in physical therapy. His leg was in "excruciating pain" as long as the infection remained.
Still, Mr. Dlug remains magnanimous. He does not blame Mather Hospital and understands that they did their best.
Not all patients are as forgiving as Mr. Dlug. In fact, I often receive calls from patients who claim they aquired hospital-based infections including MRSA and want to know if they can sue. The answer often surprises them. Unless there is evidence the hospital knew or should have known of the infectious outbreak and failed to take action to minimize, reduce and/or eliminate the threat of infectious spread, then bringing an action in NY may be challenging. Each case is different and requires a thorough investigation and confirmation by a medical expert to fully determine whether you may have a valid basis to bring a lawsuit.
MORE INFO:
If you would like more information about how medical malpractice and accident cases work in the state of New York, I encourage you to explore my educational website. If you have legal questions, I urge you to pick up the phone and call me at 516-487-8207 or by e-mail at lawmed10@yahoo.com to answer your questions. That's what I do every day. I welcome your call.
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