Medical malpractice in New York, NY:
Doctor sparked hepatitis scare; bill pending to correct state’s physician-discipline system
June 24, 2008, New York, NY -- The State Legislature is considering a bill proposed by Governor David A. Paterson to drastically overhaul the state’s physician-discipline system when medical malpractice is involved.
The bill was inspired by New York’s delay in waiting three years before publicizing the case of a doctor who the state Department of Health says put thousands of patients at risk to blood-borne pathogen infections, such as Hepatitis B and C and HIV/AIDS, by reusing syringes.
The doctor continues to practice and has settled an unprecedented 11 malpractice lawsuits in eight years.
“New York’s system is designed to protect the doctor,” said a former member of the State Legislature medical conduct task force, who was quoted by NEWSInferno.com. “It is overly bureaucratic and overly secretive, and everything takes too long.”
State officials identified one patient’s complaint against the Dix Hills doctor that helped propel the new legislation. A 50-year-old Hicksville man said he contracted Hepatitis C in this doctor’s office and filed a complaint in 2005.
But almost three years later the state Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) had not told him the results of its probe and investigators never interviewed him. He was finally told that his complaint was closed last September. The OPMC neglected to advise him, according to a state Department of Health spokeswoman, who added, “We apologized for the error.”
Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. – We’re here for you . . .Don't let this happen to you. A medical malpractice lawyer can protect your health and your financial interests. You deserve more than an apology. Tri-state residents can benefit from the legal services of Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C., the largest personal injury law firm in New York.
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