Syracuse is a vibrant city known for its rich history, a diverse community, and a robust healthcare system anchored by several medical centers and a network of specialized clinics known throughout Central New York. But despite the city's commitment to providing quality healthcare, instances of medical malpractice can still occur, leaving patients and their families to deal with serious, sometimes life-altering consequences.
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If you or a loved one has been affected by medical malpractice in Syracuse, New York, the Porter Law Group is here to help. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, so you don't pay unless we win your case.
A viable medical malpractice claim in New York requires four essential elements. Understanding whether your situation meets these criteria is the first step toward seeking justice and compensation.
The Four Elements of Medical Malpractice:
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Important Requirements in New York:
New York malpractice cases almost always require at least one qualified medical expert to identify the deviation from the standard of care and explain how it caused your injury. This expert input also underlies New York's "certificate of merit" requirement, which must be filed along with your lawsuit.
The Porter Law Group has established relationships with board-certified medical experts across various specialties who can thoroughly evaluate your case and provide the testimony needed to support your claim.
Quick Self-Assessment Questions:
If you answered yes to these questions, contact the Porter Law Group today for a free case evaluation. Our experienced Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys will review your situation and help determine whether you have a viable claim.
The lawyers at the Porter Law Group bring decades of experience representing individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by catastrophic injuries. We have obtained some of the largest settlements and verdicts in courts throughout the State of New York. We are a state-wide firm that handles cases with a hometown feel.
Our clients come to us looking for guidance and answers. With seasoned trial lawyers, the Porter Law Group has the resources necessary to help you navigate the most complex cases, against goliath insurance companies that will stop at nothing to prevent you from receiving the compensation you deserve.
You only get one chance to choose the best lawyer for you and your family. Hire the lawyers most recommended by former clients and local attorneys, and the firm that delivers superior results.
When you or a loved one's life has been devastated by a serious personal injury in Syracuse, don't hire a lawyer without calling the Porter Law Group to learn why so many of our clients are thankful they trusted us with their case in their time of need.
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the expected standard of care, resulting in injury or harm to the patient. Medical malpractice encompasses many things, from delayed diagnosis of diseases to critical errors during surgery and childbirth.
To establish a valid medical malpractice claim in Syracuse, you must show:
In 2023, the average compensation for medical malpractice claims in New York was $481,191. If you or a loved one have been injured by medical malpractice, seeking legal help right away is crucial to protecting your rights and future recovery.
Syracuse's healthcare system includes major facilities like Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, and St. Joseph's Health Hospital. While these institutions provide critical care to Central New York residents, medical errors still occur.
The Porter Law Group has successfully represented Syracuse residents in malpractice cases involving:
Our Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys have handled cases throughout Onondaga County and have intimate knowledge of local medical standards and procedures. We understand the unique challenges of pursuing medical negligence claims in Central New York and have established relationships with medical experts throughout the region.
Our team has the expertise to handle complex medical malpractice cases, ensuring that victims of negligent healthcare receive justice and fair compensation. We handle cases involving negligence at facilities such as:
Understanding the timeline for medical malpractice cases helps set realistic expectations. In Syracuse and across New York State, these cases are complex legal matters that require careful investigation, expert analysis, and thorough preparation.
New York's Statute of Limitations:
Under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules section 214-a, medical malpractice actions generally must be filed within two years and six months from the date of the alleged malpractice or from the end of continuous treatment for the same condition. This is a hard deadline with only specific statutory exceptions, including:
Typical Case Duration:
Medical malpractice lawsuits in New York typically take between one to three years to resolve from filing to final resolution. Complex cases involving multiple healthcare providers, severe injuries, or extensive treatment histories often take longer. The actual duration depends heavily on:
Litigation Phases and Timeframes:
New York civil case management rules recognize "expedited, standard, and complex" tracks, with discovery typically scheduled over approximately 8, 12, or 15 months depending on complexity. Here's what you can expect:
At the Porter Law Group, we work efficiently to move your case forward while maintaining a thorough, detail-oriented approach. We keep you updated about your case timeline and work diligently to resolve your claim as quickly as possible without sacrificing the quality of your representation.
Time is Critical:
Because of New York's strict statute of limitations, it's essential to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as you suspect negligence. Waiting too long can permanently bar your claim, regardless of its merit. Contact the Porter Law Group immediately for a free case evaluation.
Understanding the typical progression of a medical malpractice case can help you know what to expect when working with the Porter Law Group. While every case is unique, most follow a similar path through the New York legal system.
1. Records Review and Initial Case Screening
Your journey begins with an initial consultation where we listen to your story and gather basic information about your treatment. We then:
This phase typically takes 2-6 months and helps us determine whether you have a viable claim worth pursuing.
2. Formal Expert Review and Certificate of Merit
If the initial screening suggests malpractice occurred, we move to a more detailed expert analysis. This involves:
New York law mandates this certificate of merit, which must be filed along with your complaint. This requirement ensures that frivolous lawsuits are not filed and that cases have solid medical support from the outset.
3. Filing and Early Court Procedures
Once we have expert support and have prepared your case, we file your lawsuit. This phase includes:
The court will assign your case to an appropriate track (expedited, standard, or complex) based on its complexity, which determines how much time is allocated for discovery and trial preparation.
4. Discovery: Building Your Case
Discovery is the most extensive phase of litigation, where both sides exchange information and gather evidence. Throughout this process, we:
In standard malpractice cases, discovery typically takes 12 months or more. Complex cases with multiple defendants or extensive injuries may require 15-18 months or longer. The Porter Law Group handles all aspects of discovery while keeping you informed of significant developments.
5. Resolution: Settlement or Trial
Most medical malpractice cases resolve through settlement, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. The resolution phase includes:
Throughout this entire process, the Porter Law Group bears the burden of proving each of the four elements (duty, breach, causation, and damages) by a preponderance of the evidence. Our experienced trial attorneys are prepared to present compelling expert testimony, medical records, and other evidence to demonstrate that malpractice occurred and caused your injuries.
Your Role in the Process
While we handle all legal aspects of your case, your cooperation is essential. We ask that you:
The Porter Law Group will guide you through each step, answer your questions, and fight tirelessly for the compensation you and your family deserve.
When you choose the Porter Law Group for your Syracuse medical malpractice case, you're selecting a firm with deep experience in New York medical negligence law and a proven track record of results throughout the state. Here's what sets us apart:
Comprehensive Knowledge of New York Medical Malpractice Law
Medical malpractice cases in New York involve complex statutory requirements and procedural rules that general personal injury lawyers may not fully understand. Our attorneys are specifically experienced with:
These are not just technical details but real statutory and rule-based requirements that can make or break a case. The Porter Law Group's specific experience with these procedures protects your rights at every stage.
Early Expert Involvement and Rigorous Case Screening
New York law requires consultation with at least one knowledgeable physician, dentist, or podiatrist before filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. We go beyond this minimum requirement by:
This early expert involvement means we only pursue cases with strong merit, giving you confidence that your claim is worth the time and resources required to see it through. It also ensures we can meet New York's certificate of merit requirement with solid medical backing.
Experience with Complex, High-Stakes Cases
Not all medical malpractice cases are straightforward. Some involve multiple defendants, catastrophic injuries, or contested medical issues that require sophisticated legal strategies. The Porter Law Group is comfortable handling:
Our decades of experience representing clients with catastrophic injuries means we have the resources, stamina, and skill to take on even the most challenging cases against large hospital systems and aggressive insurance companies.
Client-Centered Communication and Education
Medical malpractice litigation can be overwhelming, especially when you're dealing with ongoing medical treatment and financial stress. We prioritize:
How We Compare: Our Approach vs. Common Pitfalls
| Our Approach | Typical Pitfalls to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Early expert review to confirm merit before filing | Waiting too long to consult a lawyer and running into the 2.5-year limitation period |
| Detailed records analysis and medical chronology preparation | Filing without a solid expert opinion, risking dismissal |
| Familiarity with CPLR deadlines, certificate of merit requirements, and local court rules | Under-documenting damages or failing to properly calculate future losses |
| Explaining realistic timelines and case phases upfront | Making unrealistic promises about case duration or outcomes |
| Thorough damage documentation including economic and non-economic losses | Settling too quickly without full understanding of long-term medical needs |
Proven Results for Syracuse Clients
The Porter Law Group has obtained some of the largest settlements and verdicts in New York State courts. We are a statewide firm that handles cases with a hometown feel, meaning you get big-firm resources with personalized attention. Our clients and local attorneys recommend us because we deliver superior results through:
When you work with the Porter Law Group, you're not just hiring a lawyer. You're partnering with a dedicated legal team that will fight tirelessly for the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you're considering legal action against a healthcare provider, you need a specialized medical malpractice attorney, not just a general personal injury lawyer. Here's why:
Medical Expertise: Medical malpractice lawyers coordinate frequently and maintain working relationships with medical experts in various fields of specialization who can help us understand complex medical terminology, procedures, diagnoses, and treatment standards.
Expert Witnesses: They have relationships with medical experts who can testify about standards of care.
Certificate of Merit: In New York, you need a certificate of merit to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, which requires attorney coordination with medical experts.
Complex Valuation: These specialized attorneys can calculate current and future medical costs, lost wages, and non-economic damages.
Negotiation Experience: They understand how medical malpractice insurance companies operate and negotiate.
At the Porter Law Group, our Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys have decades of specialized experience helping victims of medical negligence secure the compensation they deserve.
Starting a medical malpractice lawsuit requires strategic planning and proper legal guidance. Here's how to begin:
The Porter Law Group handles all aspects of the legal process, allowing you to focus on recovery while we fight for your compensation.
Not sure how to start your medical malpractice case? Contact our Syracuse attorneys today for step-by-step guidance.
The following are the most common specific instances of medical malpractice that patients may experience in Syracuse:
Failure to diagnose a disease or medical misdiagnosis can significantly delay appropriate treatment and worsen a patient's condition. Types of medical misdiagnosis include:
Misdiagnosis: This is when a medical provider diagnoses a patient with a disease other than what they have. This results in a patient not only losing resources for undergoing the wrong treatments but also in a delay in the necessary treatment, which actively worsens the condition.
Delayed Diagnosis: This is when a healthcare provider fails to diagnose a disease in its early stages. It can lead to the patient requiring more expensive treatments, which may also be more painful and have more side effects.
False positive diagnosis: The patient is incorrectly diagnosed with a disease they don't have. This can lead to a patient undergoing costly treatments which may be painful and even harmful, when they didn't even have the disease to begin with.
Errors in cancer diagnosis are among the most serious types of medical negligence, often leading to more aggressive treatments, reduced quality of life, or even premature death. In Syracuse's healthcare facilities, including major hospitals and specialized oncology centers, failures in cancer detection can occur due to misinterpreted test results, overlooked symptoms, or delayed referrals to specialists.
Commonly misdiagnosed cancers include:
At the Porter Law Group, our attorneys have extensive experience in handling cancer misdiagnosis cases, fighting to hold negligent healthcare providers accountable for these critical mistakes.
Was Your Cancer Misdiagnosed In Syracuse?
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Birth injuries are physical traumas or complications that occur to infants during the labor and delivery process, potentially leading to temporary or permanent disabilities. In the United States, approximately 28,000 birth injuries are reported annually, with around 6-8 cases per 1,000 live births being attributed to medical malpractice or negligence.
These injuries can range from mild conditions like bruising and minor fractures to severe complications such as:
The effects of birth injuries can be devastating, often resulting in lifelong physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, developmental delays, and substantial emotional and financial burdens for families.
What Causes Birth Injuries?
The causes of birth injuries are diverse and can include:
Risk factors that increase the likelihood of birth injuries include:
While some birth injuries may resolve naturally or with minimal intervention, others require extensive medical treatment, ongoing therapy, and specialized care throughout the affected individual's life. Medical professionals are required to follow established standards of care to prevent such injuries, and failure to do so may constitute medical malpractice.
Did Your Child Suffer A Birth Injury In Syracuse?
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Surgical errors may be errors of omission (such as a surgeon's failure to do something necessary) or errors of commission, which involve doing something beyond what is safe and reasonable. Surgical errors can be fatal and may cause lifelong complications, along with significantly increased costs for corrective treatment. Some common surgical errors include:
Retained foreign bodies: Accidentally leaving surgical tools inside the patient's body, which can lead to sepsis, obstructions, and serious infection.
Mislabelling of surgical specimens: Tissues and organs removed during surgery may be mislabelled, resulting in inaccurate testing and medical misdiagnosis.
Wrong-site surgery: Surgery performed on the wrong part of the body, such as the incorrect knee or arm, leading to unnecessary trauma and delayed treatment of the actual condition.
Wrong-procedure surgery: When doctors perform the incorrect operation, it can cause diagnostic delays, and in critical cases like cancer, may allow the disease to progress to a more advanced stage.
Wrong-person surgery: This happens when doctors mix up which patient requires which surgery, leading to surgery being performed on the wrong individual. This can have life-threatening consequences.
These errors are serious and can result in delayed recovery, the need for additional procedures, infections, organ and tissue damage, and even death.
Medication errors may occur when doctors or pharmacists are negligent in prescribing and dispensing medicine to patients. Some common examples include:
These mistakes can happen due to a variety of factors, such as poor communication, inadequate training, or simple carelessness. Regardless of the cause, medical professionals must exercise reasonable care in handling medications, and when they fail in this duty, they can be held liable for the resulting harm.
What are the Consequences of Medication Errors?
The effects of a medication error can range from mild to severe, but they may include:
In addition to the physical harm, medication errors can also cause emotional trauma and financial hardship for patients and their families.
You may have also experienced the following cases of medical malpractice in Syracuse:
If you or a loved one have fallen victim to any of the above cases, don't hesitate to contact the Porter Law Group for a free, no-obligation consultation. Remember, we work on a contingency fee basis, so you won't have to pay any up front costs. View our results to learn more about why so many clients have placed their trust in our firm.
If you or a loved one has suffered medical malpractice in Syracuse, or anywhere in New York State, you may be entitled to the following economic and non-economic damages:
Economic Damages
Non-Economic Damages
Our Syracuse medical malpractice lawyers will help determine and calculate the full value of your claim to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Determining liability in medical malpractice cases is not always straightforward. While the doctor primarily responsible for the patient is often the key party, other individuals or entities may also share liability, including:
Healthcare Professionals
Medical Facilities
Other Entities
Whatever the case may be, the medical malpractice lawyers at the Porter Law Group will ensure that all parties at fault are held fully accountable. We draw from decades of experience in medical malpractice litigation, and work with board-certified medical experts across various specialties, so you can be confident that no stone will be left unturned in our pursuit of the answers and compensation you and your family deserve.
Not all bad medical outcomes qualify as malpractice. Here's what our Syracuse medical malpractice attorneys look for when evaluating potential cases:
During your free consultation, our experienced medical malpractice lawyers will review these factors and help determine whether you have a viable claim.
In Syracuse and throughout New York State, medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within two years and six months from the date of the alleged malpractice.
But there are certain exceptions, including:
Medical malpractice cases are complex, with numerous technicalities involved. Time is of the essence, so contact the Porter Law Group immediately for expert legal guidance. Don't stress yourself with the burden of legal paperwork, let us put our skills and resources towards securing the compensation you and your loved ones deserve.
You need a specialized medical malpractice attorney with experience handling healthcare negligence cases. These lawyers understand medical terminology, have relationships with expert witnesses, and know how to navigate the complex laws specific to medical malpractice in New York.
New York law gives most patients two years and six months from the date of malpractice or the end of continuous treatment to file a lawsuit, subject to specific statutory exceptions such as the foreign object rule and special cancer misdiagnosis provisions.
Once filed, a case will usually go through several phases: pleadings and certificate of merit filing, case management orders, and discovery. New York courts use case management tracks (expedited, standard, or complex) that allocate different amounts of time for discovery, typically ranging from 8 to 15 months depending on case complexity.
Many medical malpractice cases resolve by settlement after key discovery events, such as expert depositions or mandatory settlement conferences held after the note of issue is filed. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case will proceed to trial, which can add several additional months for scheduling and the trial itself.
Overall, medical malpractice lawsuits in Syracuse and throughout New York often take several years from the initial incident to final resolution. The exact duration is highly case-specific and depends on factors such as case complexity, the number of parties involved, court calendars, and whether the case settles or goes to trial.
Because of New York's strict statute of limitations, it's essential to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as you suspect negligence, as waiting too long can permanently bar your claim.
The hardest part of proving medical malpractice is usually establishing causation: linking the healthcare provider's specific mistake to your injury in a way that overcomes arguments about pre-existing conditions or natural disease progression.
Defendants in medical malpractice cases often argue that the harm would have occurred anyway due to the underlying disease or an unavoidable complication, regardless of the provider's actions. This makes it challenging to prove that the breach of the standard of care was the direct cause of your injuries.
Establishing a deviation from the standard of care is also highly contested. New York law requires credible expert testimony to explain what a reasonably prudent provider would have done in similar circumstances and why the care you received fell short of that standard.
In New York, plaintiffs almost always need qualified medical expert witnesses both to define the standard of care and to connect the breach to the outcome. Without persuasive expert evidence on these critical issues, a malpractice case is unlikely to succeed. The testimony must come from experts with appropriate qualifications in the relevant medical specialty, and they must be able to explain complex medical concepts in a way that judges and jurors can understand.
At the Porter Law Group, we work with board-certified medical experts across various specialties who can provide the compelling testimony needed to prove both breach of the standard of care and causation. Our decades of experience in medical malpractice litigation mean we know how to build cases that can withstand the defense's challenges and demonstrate the clear link between negligence and harm.
Contact an experienced Syracuse medical malpractice attorney for a free consultation, gather all relevant medical records and documentation, have your attorney review your case with medical experts, and if viable, your lawyer will file a Certificate of Merit with your lawsuit. Your lawsuit must be filed within 2.5 years of the malpractice incident (with some exceptions).
Medical malpractice attorneys specialize in healthcare negligence cases and typically have:
At the Porter Law Group, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning:
Are You Suffering From A Medical Malpractice-Related Injury?
Reach out to our experienced team for a free consultation and explore your options for compensation.
If you or a loved one suffered from medical malpractice in Syracuse, don't face this challenging time alone. The Porter Law Group is here to help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for the compensation your family deserves.
Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation to families throughout New York State.
To schedule your free consultation with the Porter Law Group, call our toll-free number at 833-PORTER9 or email info@porterlawteam.com. Let us put our expertise to work for you and your family. Remember, there's no fee unless we win your case. Contact us today to take the first step towards justice.
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