Did your podiatrist misdiagnose your Morton’s neuroma, push you toward surgery before exhausting other options, or leave you worse off than before they treated you? If so, you deserve honest answers about whether what happened to you constitutes malpractice, and you deserve help from an attorney who can actually evaluate that question with authority. Lawrence Karam has spent more than 25 years representing victims of podiatric negligence in New York, and he brings a level of clinical knowledge to these cases that few attorneys can match. Contact The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, PC, today to learn more in a free initial consultation.
What Is Morton’s Neuroma?
Morton’s neuroma is a thickening of nerve tissue in the ball of the foot, most often between the third and fourth toes. It typically causes pain, burning, or numbness in the surrounding area, which can make walking extremely uncomfortable.
The condition is not life-threatening, but it can significantly affect mobility and quality of life. Conservative treatments are often effective, but some podiatrists misdiagnose the condition or recommend surgery without adequate justification. These kinds of failures can cause serious harm and may support a podiatric malpractice claim.
How Some Podiatrists Fail Morton’s Neuroma Patients
A correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan can make all the difference for a Morton’s neuroma patient, but not every podiatrist gets it right. The following are among the most common failures Lawrence Karam sees in these cases:
- Misdiagnosis of Morton’s neuroma as another condition, such as bursitis
- Delayed diagnosis that allows the condition to progress and worsen
- Failure to order appropriate diagnostic imaging
- Misinterpretation of diagnostic imaging results
- Failure to attempt conservative treatment options before recommending surgery
- Surgery performed on the wrong nerve or at the wrong site
- Improper surgical technique that causes or worsens nerve damage
- Failure to provide adequate monitoring after surgery
- Failure to recognize or address post-surgical complications in a timely manner
- Failure to refer patients to specialists when appropriate
Potential Consequences of Morton’s Neuroma Malpractice
The harm that results from mismanaged Morton’s neuroma isn’t always limited to foot pain. Depending on the nature of the malpractice, patients may experience:
- Chronic foot pain that persists or worsens after treatment
- Permanent nerve damage
- Loss of sensation or abnormal sensation in the affected area
- Failed surgical outcomes that require additional procedures
- Scarring or deformity from poorly performed surgeries
- Reduced mobility or difficulty walking
- Inability to return to work or normal daily activities
- Significant financial hardship from ongoing medical costs
- Permanent disability in severe cases
The Legal Elements of a Podiatric Malpractice Claim
If your podiatrist misdiagnosed, mistreated, or operated on you unnecessarily, you may have grounds for a malpractice claim. However, you must establish four distinct legal elements for your podiatric malpractice claim to succeed:
- Duty of Care: Once a podiatrist agrees to treat you, that podiatrist takes on a legal obligation or duty to provide care that meets accepted professional standards. Proof of this doctor-patient relationship is the foundation of any malpractice claim.
- Breach of Duty: A breach occurs when your podiatrist fails to meet accepted standards of care. You and your attorney must show that a competent podiatrist would have acted differently under the same circumstances to demonstrate that a breach occurred.
- Causation: It’s not enough to show that your podiatrist made an error. You must also show that the error directly contributed to your injury. In other words, you must prove that you wouldn’t have suffered the harm you did if your podiatrist had treated you properly.
- Damages: Finally, you must show that your injury caused you real, measurable harm. This can include extra medical costs, income losses, physical pain, or reduced quality of life. Without proof of measurable harm, there’s no basis for a compensation claim.
Compensation Available in Morton’s Neuroma Malpractice Cases
The compensation available to you in a Morton’s neuroma malpractice case will depend on the specific harm you suffered. Lawrence Karam can help you pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses you incurred due to the malpractice
- Lost wages from time away from work during your recovery
- Loss of future earning capacity if your injury affects your ability to work long-term
- Long-term care costs if your condition requires ongoing support
- The cost of home modifications if your mobility has been permanently affected
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Why Choose Lawrence Karam for Your Morton’s Neuroma Case?
Morton’s neuroma malpractice cases are highly specialized matters that require more than general legal knowledge. They require legal representation from an attorney who understands how podiatrists are trained, how they make diagnostic decisions, and where they fall short. That’s where Lawrence Karam comes in.
Lawrence has spent more than 25 years representing New York victims of podiatric negligence. He’s taken the same coursework that podiatrists must complete to maintain their licenses and has observed complex podiatric surgical procedures firsthand. That clinical foundation gives him an edge that most malpractice attorneys simply don’t have.
When you choose The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, PC, you’ll work directly with Lawrence Karam from your first consultation through the final resolution of your case. There are no fees unless he recovers compensation for you, and your initial consultation is free. If a podiatrist failed you or someone close to you, Lawrence Karam has the knowledge, courtroom experience, and track record to hold them accountable.
Contact The Law Firm of Lawrence M. Karam, PC, Today
If you suffered preventable health issues due to a podiatrist’s mismanagement of your Morton’s neuroma, Lawrence Karam wants to hear from you. Your initial consultation is free, and you won’t owe any attorney fees unless he recovers compensation for you. Contact our firm today to get started.