It seems as if every state in the U.S., including New York, is experiencing an increase in medical malpractice lawsuits. While cases such as surgical mistakes get a lot of press, other cases are beginning to receive more attention. Claims of medical malpractice based on drug abuse or prescription drug overdoses are receiving increased scrutiny in our courts.

Read more: Criminal medical malpractice prosecutions increasing nationwide

When a New York medical malpractice investigation looks into a claim of hospital negligence, the inquiry focuses on at least two principal areas. First, what actually occurred and how did it happen? Second, what did the hospital do or not do that caused or contributed to the injuries? Considering the second question, were there previous complaints of hospital negligence similar in nature? If so, what were the specifics and what did the hospital do to address the issues?

Read more: Hospital negligence putting Buffalo firefighters at risk

Although there are not a lot of publicized medical malpractice cases pending in New York City, it is topic that has taken the spotlight following the death of the "King of Pop," Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray is facing charges that claim he breached care standards that ultimately caused Jackson's death. The claim is that he committed medical malpractice by administering anesthetics to the singer in a negligent manner.

Read more: Medical malpractice suit filed against the King of Pop's doc

It is a sad day in New York when a doctor makes a mistake during a common medical procedure. A 74-year-old man incurred serious injury that eventually led to his death, after receiving a thoracentesis. This procedure involves placing a needle through the chest of the patient, in order to collect a fluid sample from the space around the lungs. Regrettably, hospital injuries are a growing cause of concern across the country.

Read more: Hospital Negligence causes man's death

Medical malpractice is part of the curriculum at the University of Buffalo Medical School in New York. An adjunct research instructor of family medicine knows from personal experience the havoc that medical errors and other forms of medical malpractice in hospitals can create. Citing the fact that 180,000 Medicare patients die each year across the country due to medical error, the teacher asks students to consider the very human side of each tragedy. She should know; her mother was one.

Read more: New York medical instructor tells her malpractice story

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