September 2017

News from Alan W. Clark & Associates
A Personal Injury Law Firm

Patient Safety

Doctors often don't tell you about drug side effects, and that's a problem

By Janice Neumann
The Washington Post

Several months ago I developed a stomachache after taking an over-the-counter medication for symptoms suggesting acid reflux.

When I told the doctor about my reaction, she said the medication, which she had prescribed, should not have caused my stomachache.

But the Food and Drug Administration lists stomach pain and upset stomach as among the drug's possible side effects. The episode reminded me that physicians rarely counsel me on side effects when they tell me to take a medication.

AWC Selected to 2017 New York Metro Super Lawyers List

Alan W. Clark, Esq., Managing Partner and Founder, The Law Firm of Alan W. Clark & Associates, LLC, has been selected to the list of New York Metro Super Lawyers for 2017. This is the tenth consecutive year Mr. Clark was recognized in the practice area of Plaintiffs Personal Injury – Medical Malpractice. No more than five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers.

The Role of the Attorney in Patient Safety

"The role of the attorney in patient safety is to hold wrongdoers, that is, doctors and hospitals, accountable for their negligent medical errors to patients. And, in doing so, we help improve the quality of health care and make medicine safer for all patients and help to prevent the same occurrence from happening to someone else," says Alan W. Clark, Managing Partner of Alan W. Clark & Associates, LLC.

To learn about the role of the attorney in patient safety, click here.

Client Testimonial

We received your letter that you are unable to commence litigation on our malpractice case.

Understanding your letter, we still want to send to you and your staff a letter of gratitude.

We express our appreciation for all the time, hard work and kindness that was done in behalf of our claim.

We are grateful for lawyers like yourselves who guide and diligently work up malpractice cases.

You help protect and ethically safeguard all people who use our health care system.

Knowingly, you as lawyers provide a high quality of care for all of us that are depending on the health care system.

A sincere thank you.

Recent Results

$2,250,000 — Medical malpractice settlement for 62-year-old woman whose radiologist misread her mammogram results and failed to diagnose breast cancer.

$1,950,000 — Construction worker fell from building, sustaining serious injuries to his spine and requiring extensive back surgery and treatment. The case was brought against the building owner and general contractor for violations of New York’s Labor Law in not providing the worker with a safe place to work, as well as proper safety devices, which would have prevented his fall.

$1,200,000 — Failure to diagnose and treat ongoing cardiovascular disease, resulting in a coronary bypass, and chronic pericarditis, resulting in chronic weakness, shortness of breath and chest pain.

$900,000 — Medical malpractice action commenced due to the hospital’s negligent monitoring of tubes placed in premature infant’s mouth, resulting in permanent injury to baby’s cheek and lower lip.

$900,000 — Failure to treat atrial fibrillation with anticoagulant medication, thereby resulting in a stroke.

$750,000 — Failure to timely diagnose and treat a congenital condition known as a Double Aortic Arch. This condition strangulates the trachea and esophagus which causes severe breathing issues and difficulty eating.

$325,000 – Failure to timely diagnose appendicitis, resulting in rupture of the appendix.

$300,000 — Trip and fall at a residence due to failure to provide a handrail on a stairway as required by local code, causing numerous fractured ribs, respiratory failure, prolonged hospitalization and medical complications.

$300,000 — Cosmetic implant operation following which patient suffered serious infection caused by a dirty facility and unsterile instruments, requiring hospitalization and treatment.

$250,000 — Home health aide for a frail, blind elderly patient did not hold onto the patient when escorting her to the bathroom. As a result, the patient fell and fractured her hip.

About Alan W. Clark & Associates

ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE HARMED BY PERSONAL INJURIES, NEGLIGENT MEDICAL CARE AND THOSE INJURED ON THE JOB

REPUTABLE
In practice for over 39 years, we take great pride in providing quality service and personal attention to the details and circumstances of each case. We maintain the highest legal standards of professional ethics and representation. Most of our new clients come from prior, satisfied clients recommending us to their families and friends, and from attorneys who value and trust us with their referrals.

RESPONSIVE
We understand the importance of timely responses to telephone calls and emails of prospective and current clients. During what could be a stressful time, we listen carefully, addressing our clients' needs and concerns with empathy and understanding 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

RESULTS
Our meticulous preparation and commitment to excellence enable us to succeed in many cases that other attorneys thought were too difficult to win. We surpass our clients’ expectations and hold wrongdoers accountable to pay fair and just compensation.