On Christmas Eve 1995, Nasim Haider, then a physician at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Queens, allegedly asked a patient who had come into the emergency room for an exam whether she “engaged in oral sex and whether she swallowed sperm.” During the exam, Haider, who at that time had only been licensed to practice medicine in New York for about a year, then allegedly rubbed her genitals “for several minutes.” This incident, along with two others, was outlined in the New York State Department of Health’s 2004 investigation of Haider, performed by the agency’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct. A second patient cited in the investigation alleged that in 2001 Haider placed his hands on her buttocks and breasts, and that Haider placed her hands on his erect penis, according to state health department records. The third patient alleged that in 2002 Haider squeezed her breasts, rubbed her thighs and vaginal area, and pushed his groin into her buttocks … [Read more...] about New York Allowed a Sexual Predator to Practice Medicine for Decades
Medical malpractice new york city
CBS News Logo Can NYC Judge Fix Medical Malpractice Mess?
The Obama administration is spending $3 million to see if the methods developed by longtime New York judge Douglas McKeon can work on a broader scale, opening a way around the political stalemate over how to reform the medical liability system. A senior appellate judge, McKeon named his approach "judge-directed negotiations." But he also calls it "humanness." Curiosity about medical matters led him to become a specialist in resolving wrenching cases that involve life-changing harm to patients. Sometimes, the judge quietly listens to heartbroken family members vent their anger. Other times, McKeon might make a pointed comment to the lawyers about how the jury could react to their arguments. The New York state court system is one of 20 recent recipients of federal grants to find answers to such problems as getting hospitals and doctors to acknowledge mistakes, rather than cover them up, and protecting clinicians who follow best practices and still have something go wrong. The goals are … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Can NYC Judge Fix Medical Malpractice Mess?
CBS News Logo Joan Rivers’ family settles medical malpractice lawsuit
Last Updated May 12, 2016 9:02 PM EDT NEW YORK -- The family of comedian Joan Rivers, who died days after undergoing a routine endoscopy at a New York City clinic, has settled a medical malpractice lawsuit against the facility, the family's attorneys said Thursday.The 81-year-old comedian and star of the show "Fashion Police" on E! died Sept. 4, 2014, days after she went in for a routine procedure at Yorkville Endoscopy on Manhattan's Upper West Side and stopped breathing. Her daughter, Melissa Rivers, filed a medical malpractice lawsuit in 2015 in state Supreme Court in Manhattan that alleged doctors performed unauthorized medical procedures, snapped a selfie with the comedian and failed to act as her vital signs deteriorated.In announcing the settlement Thursday, Rivers' attorneys said they were pleased that the case had been resolved, but declined to specify the amount of the settlement. They wanted to "make certain that the focus of this horrific incident remains on improved … [Read more...] about CBS News Logo Joan Rivers’ family settles medical malpractice lawsuit
Clothes, jewelry and more items from Joan Rivers’ New York estate to be auctioned off in June
Fans will soon be able to fetch one or more of Joan Rivers’ extravagant possessions — if they can afford the price tag. The late comedian’s wealth of items from her New York City penthouse will be auctioned off in mid-June, with prices ranging from $500 to a whopping $200,000. Over 200 pieces — including art, jewelry, furniture and clothing — will be up for sale online and in person in Manhattan by auctioneers Christie’s The Art People from June 16 to 23. MELISSA RIVERS ON MOM JOAN'S DEATH: 'I'M ANGRY' “This upcoming auction in New York will encompass the breadth of the late entertainer’s exceptional and eclectic taste," the auction house wrote on their website. Topping the list at $200,000 is a Faberge jeweled lily of the valley leaf piece, followed by a Edouard Vuillard painting at $120,000. Also coming to the auction block is a silver Tiffany & Co. bowl engraved with “Spike” … [Read more...] about Clothes, jewelry and more items from Joan Rivers’ New York estate to be auctioned off in June
New York improves in state-by-state rankings of emergency room performance
New York State gained some ground in a new report card on the nation's emergency rooms, but was diagnosed with the fourth-longest average ER wait time in the country and a case of surging medical malpractice awards. The Empire State jumped eight spots to 13th place and earned a "C" grade overall in the new state-by-state ranking from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), last published in 2009. It posted solid marks in the area of disaster preparedness, and got a shot in the arm from increased adoption of electronic medical records and an influx of registered nurses and board-certified ER doctors, the study's authors said. Still, many ongoing ailments in the state's emergency medical system are only getting worse, Manhattan-based ER doctors involved with the study told the Daily News Wednesday. For instance, ER patients across the state now wait an average of 366 minutes — or 6.1 hours — to get treatment and walk out the door, compared with the … [Read more...] about New York improves in state-by-state rankings of emergency room performance
Cuomo, lawmakers reach New York State budget deal, agreeing on 2% cut in spending and no new taxes
ALBANY - Gov. Cuomo and state lawmakers struck a deal Sunday for an on-time $132.5 billion budget that Mayor Bloomberg promptly slammed as a ripoff to the city. The agreement, five days before the March 31 deadline, calls for a 2% across-the-board cut in spending and plugs a $10 billion deficit. It does this without any broad tax hikes or borrowing, said Cuomo, who took office only three months ago. Still, Bloomberg branded the deal as "disappointing" and "painful" - with nowhere near enough funding for New York City to "avoid additional layoffs." "We appreciate that some of the cuts in education aid were restored," said Bloomberg, who has warned he'll need to lay off 4,600 teachers. "But make no mistake: The final budget still cuts New York City more than ever before." Sunday's agreement, which still requires a final vote, clears the way for the first on-time state budget since 2006 - and possibly the first early budget since 1983, when Cuomo's dad was governor. "It is a … [Read more...] about Cuomo, lawmakers reach New York State budget deal, agreeing on 2% cut in spending and no new taxes
Docs need malpractice relief: The threat of lawsuits is crushing New York hospitals
Last summer, Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn announced it could no longer afford to deliver babies. Other hospitals around the city and state are being forced to make similar choices, leaving maternity care, one of the most basic services provided by doctors and hospitals, ever more difficult to find. The high cost of malpractice insurance - which is driven up by runaway malpractice litigation, especially in New York State - is the single biggest reason why. This is the ideal moment to confront the problem. Hospitals are justifiably concerned about the impacts of coming state health care cuts. Targeted malpractice insurance and tort reform would soften that blow by reducing costs to hospitals and doctors. New York's doctors already face among the highest malpractice premiums in the nation, and they're felt most painfully by ob-gyns. Premiums for obstetricians on average are $137,000 a year in Manhattan - and even higher in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Contrast this to … [Read more...] about Docs need malpractice relief: The threat of lawsuits is crushing New York hospitals
State Assembly approves Lavern’s Law to help medical malpractice victims; Senate must now act on bill
ALBANY — The state Assembly for the first time Wednesday passed Lavern’s Law, leaving the measure’s fate squarely in the Senate’s hands. The Assembly, with overwhelming bipartisan support, approved the legislation 99-23, which would start the 15-month statute of limitations to bring a medical malpractice case when the error is discovered, and not when the mistake occurred, as is current law. Lavern’s Law, which has been part of a Daily News campaign, is named after Lavern Wilkinson, a Brooklyn woman who died in 2013 of a curable form of lung cancer after doctors at Kings County Hospital misdiagnosed her. By the time her family sued, the window to file had expired. "It is just the right thing to do for patients and their families,” said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. “We have heard about so many heartbreaking cases, and this bill will provide some measure of relief for those who have been victims of medical malpractice." … [Read more...] about State Assembly approves Lavern’s Law to help medical malpractice victims; Senate must now act on bill
Andrew Cuomo backs Lavern’s Law to toughen rights of medical malpractice victims
Two years after her death, the state is inching closer to righting the unthinkable wrong that doomed Lavern Wilkinson. Gov. Cuomo threw his support Sunday behind “Lavern’s Law” — a bill that would strengthen the rights of victims of medical malpractice to hold hospitals accountable in court. The endorsement from the governor provides a big boost for the legislation named after Wilkinson, a Brooklyn mother who died in March 2013 from a curable form of lung cancer after doctors at Kings County Hospital failed to alert her to a suspicious mass noted in X-rays three years prior. EDITORIAL: CURE FOR AN INJUSTICE Wilkinson, 41, was barred from suing the hospital due to a legal loophole that requires claims of medical malpractice against public hospitals be filed within 15 months after they occur — instead of when the patient actually discovers the neglect. The push to reform the law is gaining steam in Albany as the legislative session enters its … [Read more...] about Andrew Cuomo backs Lavern’s Law to toughen rights of medical malpractice victims
Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan urged to bring medical malpractice bill called Lavern’s Law to floor for vote
One legislator stands in the way of Lavern's Law — and now there's one final plea to change his mind. “Let there be a vote, please! Why wouldn't you? Because Lavern was poor? And she is not here to speak out for her rights? Why?" Lavern Wilkinson's anguished aunt, Gloria O'Connor, implored Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Suffolk County). "If this was your family, Mr. Flanagan, you would not like that to happen to them. Please don't let this happen to other people." With more than 32 state senators signing onto the bill, there are enough votes to change New York's medical malpractice law. The bill would fix the statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits so that the clock starts ticking not when the negligence occurs, but when the patient first discovers that he or she has been harmed. Lavern Wilkinson died in 2013 from a curable form of lung cancer because Kings County Hospital doctors never told her a chest X-ray in 2010 showed a small … [Read more...] about Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan urged to bring medical malpractice bill called Lavern’s Law to floor for vote