Prctice Areas

Surgical Error
Doctors are performing more procedures than ever before. The choice of procedure as well as the
competence of the individuals performing the procedures can have great impact on your potential outcome.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of a surgical error, please contact the
Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Improper Treatment
Not all diseases present with typical symptoms and even those that do can be misdiagnosed. Further, the choice of: medical management; testing and monitoring; or, a procedure, all come down to physician judgment.

Any error in a doctor’s judgment can result in the improper treatment of a patient and can lead to further complications, additional illness and potentially, death. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was improper treatment in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of improper treatment, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Late Diagnosis of Cancer
There have been numerous advances in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Unfortunately the timing of the diagnosis still has a dramatic impact on the potential that treatment will be successful and that a patient may survive a diagnosis of cancer.

As a general rule, the earlier a cancer diagnosis can be made, the better. While there are exceptions, the majority of cancers demonstrate a response to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery. Any delay in the diagnosis of cancer can rob a patient of treatment options and increase the potential for metastasis (spread) of cancer while shortening the lifespan of the patient. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was a late diagnosis of cancer in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of a late diagnosis of cancer, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Emergency Room Error
There are few moments more critical in determining a medical outcome than those which take place in the
Emergency Room. Many of the decisions made can quite literally mean the difference between life and death.

Do the doctors in the Emergency Room possess the proper skills and training needed to ensure that signs and
symptoms of a heart attack, an aortic dissection, pancreatitis or infection do not go unrecognized or untreated?
Do the doctors in the Emergency Room even work for the hospital? Or, instead, are they independent and
largely un-supervised contractors working for a large corporation? How is a patient to know?

The wrong decision, to “treat” or “street” a patient can make all the difference. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help
determine if there was emergency room error in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of an emergency room error, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Laparoscopic/Surgical Error
Laparoscopic surgeries can mean smaller incisions, quicker recovery time and better outcomes. However, some procedures are best performed with a traditional “open” surgical technique.

The wrong procedure, an unnecessary procedure, or poor technical competence during the procedure can extend hospital stays and increase the risk of complications including the need for additional surgeries. Often the patient is unaware of the availability of choices and must accept the judgment of the physician assigned by the hospital. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was a laparoscopic/surgical error in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of a laparoscopic/surgical error, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Hospital Acquired Infection
One out of every 20 patients who go into a hospital in the U.S. end up picking up a hospital acquired infection.*

Not all infections are avoidable. However, with the high rate of administration of antibiotics, some infections are being difficult, if not impossible, to avoid and treat effectively. MRSA and VRE are two such examples of “resistant bugs.” For the very young, the elderly and those whose immune systems may already be compromised, contracting a hospital acquired infection can be catastrophic and deadly.

So how can a patient be certain that their hospital is clean and free from colonized infections? How can a patient be certain that their hospital has adopted and is following proper infection control protocol? The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was a hospital acquired infection in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of a hospital acquired infection, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

*2007 AARP Bulletin, Greider, Katharine.

Bedsores
With an aging population and rising costs of health care placement of loved ones in a nursing home has
become a reality for many.

Bedsores or pressure ulcers, result from prolonged laying or sitting on an unforgiving surface. Simply moving
or re-positioning a patient can greatly reduce the likelihood of bedsores and the pain, discomfort and source
of infection which they bring. Further there are specialized air mattresses which can reduce pressure and
prevent formation of bedsores.

The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if the bedsores in your case are the result of nursing home
negligence.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of nursing home negligence resulting in bedsores, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Infections
Not all infections are avoidable. However, with the high rate of administration of antibiotics, some infections are being difficult, if not impossible, to avoid and treat effectively. MRSA and VRE are two such examples of “resistant bugs.” For the elderly confined to a nursing home and largely sedentary, an acquired infection can be catastrophic and deadly.

So how can a patient be certain that the nursing home their loved one is placed in is clean and free from colonized infections? How can a patient be certain that the nursing home their loved one is placed in has adopted and is following proper infection control protocol? The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was a nursing home acquired infection in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of a nursing home acquired infection, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Neglect
Not all nursing home care is quality care, most are now run by large corporations with a presence out of state, and your loved ones may be frequently neglected without you realizing it.

Dramatic weight loss, falls, broken bones which are unaccounted for, bedsores or pressure ulcers, can be the result neglect. Are the nutritional needs of your loved one being met? Are they “injuring themselves” with surprising frequency? Do the people attending to them on a daily basis have reasonably explanations and do they document injuries properly? Do they move or re-position or even change the clothing of your loved one in your presence? The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was neglect in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of nursing home neglect, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Prescription/Non-Prescription
One out of every 5 medications dispensed in hospitals and nursing homes are administered in error.*

Advancement in pharmaceuticals has resulted in tens of thousands of prescription and non-prescription
medications. A number of these medications are commonly prescribed. However not all medications are
appropriate for all individuals. Some may be contraindicated for use in treatment of particular conditions or
particular patients.

Most medication errors are preventable. Unfortunately not all medication errors are recognized in time. The difference between prescribing a patient Heparin (a blood thinner) as opposed to Hespan (a blood volume expander) can have catastrophic consequences. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was a Prescription/Non-Prescription medication error made in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of a Prescription/Non-Prescription medication error, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today. *Archives Internal Medicine 2002.

Drug Interactions
Even where no error is made in the dispensing of a medication, otherwise reasonable and valid medications have been demonstrated to interact with other medications as well as herbal supplements. Individuals with chronic medical conditions may take a staggering number of medications daily.

Drug reactions are not always readily identifiable and could take time to diagnose. That time could be the difference between treatment and tragedy. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was a harmful drug interaction in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of a drug interaction, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Obstetrical Malpractice
The delivery of a child is truly a blessing. While complications can occur with the best of care, the quality of obstetrical care can have a dramatic affect on the outcome for mother and child.

The Lewis Law Firm, PC was founded and is run by a strong woman who believes in empowering other
women with regard to their health care choices. Is your Obstetrician competent and qualified? Did you
receive the best care available to you from pregnancy to delivery?

A mistake during the course of your pregnancy and/or delivery can have catastrophic repercussions upon the quality of your life and upon the life of your infant. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was obstetrical malpractice in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of obstetrical malpractice, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Gynecologic Malpractice
While complications can occur with the best of care, the quality of your gynecologic care can have a dramatic
affect on your health and well being.

The Lewis Law Firm, PC was founded and is run by a strong woman who believes in empowering other women
with regard to their health care choices.

Is your Gynecologist competent and qualified? Did you receive the best care available to you? Did you receive all of the proper testing and treatment for any conditions? If you had gynecologic surgery, such as a hysterectomy, was it performed properly and without complications? The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was gynecologic malpractice in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of gynecologic malpractice, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Late Diagnosis of Breast, Ovarian and Cervical Cancers
There have been numerous advances in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Unfortunately the timing of the diagnosis still has a dramatic impact on the potential that treatment will be successful and that a patient may survive a diagnosis of cancer.

Certain cancers either primarily (breast cancer) or exclusively (ovarian, cervical) affect women. The Lewis Law Firm, PC was founded and is run by a strong woman who believes in empowering other women with regard to their health care choices.

As a general rule, the earlier a cancer diagnosis can be made, the better. While there are exceptions, the majority of cancers demonstrate a response to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery. Any delay in the diagnosis of cancer can rob a patient of treatment options and increase the potential for metastasis (spread) of cancer while shortening the lifespan of the patient. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, has a history of litigating late diagnosis of breast ovarian and cervical cancer cases and can help determine if there was a late diagnosis of cancer in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of a late diagnosis of breast, ovarian or cancer, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Hypoxia and Birth Asphyxia
The delivery of a child is truly a blessing. While complications can occur with the best of care, the quality of obstetrical care can have a dramatic affect on the outcome for mother and child.

Hypoxia and Birth Asphyxia refer to either the complete or limited availability of oxygen to the baby which can occur during labor and delivery and which can irreversibly damage an infant’s brain, lungs, eyes and gastrointestinal tract. Factors such as insufficient amniotic fluid, low blood pressure of the mother, shock, placental abruption and compression of the umbilical cord can all result in oxygen deprivation to your baby.

A baby who suffers from hypoxia or birth asphyxia may have a diminished quality and length of life and could bankrupt a family with ongoing medical costs. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was malpractice in your case which resulted in hypoxia or birth asphyxia to your baby.

If you believe that your baby was the victim of hypoxia or birth asphyxia, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Traumatic Brain Injury
Pediatric brain injury from common childhood trauma can be devastating. Bicycle injuries, falls, sports injuries, motor vehicle accident and abuse are all potential causes of traumatic brain injury in children.

Brain injury may not always be immediately recognized and treated in children. Unfortunately a delay in recognition and treatment of a traumatic brain injury can lead to significant problems with thinking, speaking and movement as the child develops and grows. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was traumatic brain injury in your child’s case.

If you believe that your child was the victim of traumatic brain injury, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Shoulder Dystocia
The delivery of a child is truly a blessing. While complications can occur with the best of care, the quality of obstetrical care can have a dramatic affect on the outcome for mother and child.

Shoulder dystocia refers to the inability of an infant to pass one or both shoulders freely through the birth canal. Shoulder dystocia is not always capable of being recognized until it occurs. However, some factors which can be relative predictors of shoulder dystocia, include a larger than average baby, small pelvis of the mother, prior deliveries and gestational diabetes. When shoulder dystocia is encountered, its immediate recognition and proper obstetrical maneuvers and management are crucial to the future health of the child.

Shoulder dystocia can result in nerve injury to the arm and shoulder which may be permanent, hypoxia and birth asphyxia and brain injury if mechanical efforts are required (forceps, vacuum) to assist in extraction of the infant. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was preventable injury from shoulder dystocia for your baby.

If you believe that your baby was the victim of shoulder dystocia, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Misdiagnosis
Not all diseases of infants and children present with typical symptoms and even those that do can be misdiagnosed. Further, the choice of: medical management; testing and monitoring; or, a procedure, all come down to physician judgment.

Any error in a doctor’s judgment can result in the improper treatment of an infant or child and can lead to further complications, additional illness and potentially, death. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was a misdiagnosis made relative to your child.

If you believe that your infant or child was the victim of a misdiagnosis, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Late Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer
The rate of new cases of prostate cancer is increasing annually. There have been numerous advances in
the treatment and diagnosis of prostate cancer. Unfortunately the timing of the diagnosis still has a dramatic impact on the potential that treatment will be successful and that a patient may survive a diagnosis of cancer. PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) testing is one of the primary diagnostic tools available to clinicians. But the results of PSA testing can be confusing, misinterpreted and misleading.

Prostate cancer exclusively affects men. However, men can also get breast cancer and appear to suffer a higher incidence of colon cancer. The Lewis Law Firm, PC was founded and is run by a strong woman who is also sensitive to the concerns of men with regard to their health care choices.

As a general rule, the earlier a cancer diagnosis can be made, the better. While there are exceptions, the majority of cancers demonstrate a response to chemotherapy, radiation therapy and/or surgery. In the case of prostate cancer, early treatment can result in a complete cure. However late treatment including prostatectomy (removal of the prostate through surgery) can result in recurrence of cancer or metastasis (spread) to of cancer while shortening the lifespan of the patient. The Lewis Law Firm, PC, has a history of litigating late diagnosis of prostate cancer cases and can help determine if there was a late diagnosis of cancer in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of a late diagnosis of prostate or other cancer, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Urologic Malpractice
While complications can occur with the best of care, the quality of your urological care can have a dramatic affect on your health and well being.
Men don’t tend to report health problems or seek treatment for chronic and acute medical conditions at the rate that women do. This fact makes it more crucial that the information reported to a Urologist is recorded properly and that the proper work up is provided.
Is your Urologist competent and qualified? Did you receive the best care available to you? Did you receive all of the proper testing and treatment for any conditions? If you had urologic surgery, such as a prostatectomy, was it performed properly and without complications? The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was urologic malpractice in your case.

If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of urologic malpractice, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Primary Care Malpractice
While complications can occur with the best of care, the quality of your Primary care can have a dramatic affect on your health and well being. High cholesterol, heart attack, liver and bowel diseases affect men in greater numbers than they do women.
Men don’t tend to report health problems or seek treatment for chronic and acute medical conditions at the rate that women do. This fact makes it more crucial that the information reported to a primary care physician is recorded properly and that the proper work up is provided.
Is your Primary Care Physician competent and qualified? Did you receive the best care available to you? Did you receive all of the proper testing and treatment for any conditions? The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was Primary Care malpractice in your case.
If you believe that you or a loved one was the victim of primary care malpractice, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.

Significant and debilitating injury or death

The Lewis Law Firm, PC intentionally limits the cases it accepts to those which result in significant and/or debilitating injury or death.

In addition to the diminished quality of life and life expectancy which a catastrophic injury brings, the financial and health care costs associated with a catastrophic injury can quickly bankrupt even the wealthiest families.

Catastrophic injury can be the result of:

• Medical Malpractice
• Medication Errors
• Truck and motor vehicle accidents
• Worksite Injuries
• Construction
• Slip and Falls
• Poorly designed playground equipment

The Lewis Law Firm, PC, can help determine if there was negligence in your case which resulted in significant and/or debilitating injury or death to you or your loved one. If you believe that you or your loved one was the victim of a preventable significant and/or debilitating injury or death, please contact the Lewis Law Firm, PC today.