I started practicing law in 1980 and have had the privilege to work at some of the best personal injury law firms in New York and with some of the best lawyers in medical malpractice, product liability, municipal liability, and general injury cases.  In 1997 I opened a solo practice so that I could give each client more attention and with a continuity of representation – only one lawyer for your case, the same lawyer you meet at your initial interview, and who will handle all important stages of the case up to and including settlement or a trial.   During these past 45 years I have handling a variety of malpractice cases involving almost all of the medical specialities including dentistry and podiatry.

I am a member of the New York State Bar Association, The Academy of Trial Lawyers, the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, and I am on the medical malpractice panel of the Legal Referral Service for attorney referrals to the public.

Many of the larger medical malpractice law firms do not accept dental or podiatry malpractice cases.  That was one of the reasons why we turned our focus to those two areas of medicine where some malpractice victims have had a difficult time finding representation.  Hence, the focus on dental and podiatry malpractice.

Almost everyone has had dental treatment and many have had “bad” experiences leading to permanent injury, costly revisions and so called “re-dos” much of which is “out of pocket” money since many do not have dental insurance coverage.  Common areas of malpractice I see are dental implants and their associated restorations, tooth extractions, sinus injuries, and nerve injuries.  But not all “bad” experiences constitute “malpractice.” I can help determine if you have a provable case of dental malpractice.

Surgery of the foot and ankle has been one of my interests in malpractice litigation.  I have handled hundreds of podiatry malpractice cases, have been an operating room observer for some of the more common foot surgeries, and have attended the same lectures and programs licensed podiatrists are required to attend to maintain their license.  I keep current with new podiatry trends by subscribing to several leading podiatry journals including The Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association and The Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery.  I have also been a guest lecturer at various podiatry residency programs in New York.

With over 45 years practicing law and representing hundreds of victims of malpractice, I have created a law practice in which my clients are comfortable knowing that their case is being handled with my personal attention, in the most professional manner, and without unreasonable delays.

Litigation Percentage
  • 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Bar Admissions
  • New York, 1980
Education
  • St. John’s University School of Law
  • Syracuse University, School of Management
Podiatric Malpractice FAQs
  • Is there a fee for initial consultation? NO. 
  • If there is no settlement or recovery will I owe any money? NO. If there is no recovery or settlement you owe nothing to the attorney. 
  • What is the attorney’s fee in malpractice cases? The attorney’s fee in New York State for medical (and podiatric and dental), malpractice cases is defined by statute and is referred to as a “decreasing sliding scale.” The scale starts at 30% of the net (net is the total recovery less expenses) recovery, up to $250,000. For that portion of the recovery over $250,000 the attorney’s fee decreases to 25%, then 20%, etc. 
  • What is the time limit for bringing a medical malpractice case into court? The “statute of limitations” in New York for medical (and podiatric and dental) malpractice cases is generally two years and six months from the date of the malpractice. However, there are exceptions to this general rule. In some cases the time limit starts later than the date of the actual malpractice. In some cases a shorter time limit applies as with medical malpractice committed at a municipal hospital. Only a knowledgeable attorney can advise you as to which time limit applies to the facts of your case. 
  • Does my attorney have to get all of my medical records for my malpractice case?   Generally, yes. Every medically related record relevant to the case has to be collected and reviewed including hospital, doctor, physical therapy and pharmacy records, and x-rays (radiology).
  • Do I have the right to get my own medical records?   Yes, you have the right to obtain a copy of your records and x-rays. New York State published a very informative booklet on this. Go to this website. When you ask for your hospital records (or any record for that matter) you need to make sure you ask for, and receive, the entire record. Many times hospitals, physicians and podiatrists do not provide the entire record but instead give you only an “abstract” which is usually worthless since it contains incomplete information. Almost without exception, the complete medical record is needed for your malpractice case. But there is more on what is the “complete” record – read the question on digital medical records.
  • My new foot doctor says I have a malpractice case. Is this an advantage?   Generally, yes. But remember – many doctors and podiatrists who tell their patient they have a case do not know the legal standards necessary to prove a medical malpractice case. However, having your podiatrist or doctor support you in your case is generally helpful.
  • When you accept my case does that mean I will either win my case or get a settlement?   No. Always remember that no attorney can guarantee or predict the outcome of a case. Likewise, recoveries in similar cases cannot predict the outcome in your case.
  • Should I file a complaint with the New York State licensing board against my podiatrist?   
  • In addition to contacting an attorney to represent you in a malpractice case you may want to file a compliant against the podiatrist. You do not need an attorney to do this. You will be asked to write a summary of what happened to you. This information is usually used only for the complaint you file with the State and usually is not used in your malpractice case. However, we believe that in some rare cases your complaint sent to the State may be discovered by the opposing lawyers in your case. Therefore, we advise that you consult with your attorney prior to filing the complaint with the State because what you say in your complaint may hurt your malpractice case.
  • What are digital medical records?  Presently there is a tremendous push to create digital medical records (EMR = electronic medical records) and to convert older paper records into digital form. This applies also to MRI’s and x-rays. Frequently the records will be given to you on a CD, particularly MRI, CT and plain x-ray films. When a hospital record is digital, you will usually be given the complete record on a CD. Podiatrists’ offices are going digital as well. The podiatrist’s notes will be made on a computer and many forms filled out by hand will be scanned into the computer too. But frequently these offices also maintain a paper file on you which they have not scanned into their computer and usually these offices to not give this to the patient When we request a medical record from a podiatrist, we make sure the paper records are provided as well.
  • My medical insurance company sent me a form to fill out which asks about pending lawsuits – what do I do?   Many insurance policies have provisions in the actual contract of insurance in which the company tries to attach a lien or claim for money against your lawsuit for a portion of the money your insurance may have paid for treatment of the conditions involved in the lawsuit. Many of these are not valid in New York State. You should not fill out those forms without first consulting with your malpractice attorney. 
  • What kinds of things should I save for my case?  Everything!
    • appointment cards
    • hospital discharge forms
    • insurance papers
    • your calendar or whichever way you kept track of your appointments.
    • photographs.
    • emails
    • shoes, inserts, orthotics
  • Using Facebook and other social media – will it impact on my case?   Yes, it can. Defense lawyers are now focusing on getting into your social media accounts. Why? If you claim a serious injury and that it prevents you from doing certain activities, your Facebook pages – and photographs – may tell another story. We do not think you should use Facebook and the like for either your complaints or injuries about the care from the Dr. or Dentist. You may have forgotten what you wrote or you may have written under extreme emotional distress or late at night. It may not exactly track what you will say later in a sworn deposition during your case. If you write about social and athletic activities on social media, you must bring this to your attorney’s attention.
  • Are photographs important in my case?   In many cases, photographs are extremely important so save all photographs even those on your cell phone. If you are going to take photographs of, for instance, your wound or ulcer, or anything else relating to your case, make sure your camera or cell phone’s date is accurately set so that the photograph are accurately dated.
  • Should I send Emails to my podiatrist?   Understand that emails will come out in your case so be very careful if you do this. If you think you might have a case against your podiatrist you should stop all emails with that doctor.
  • If I am not getting better when should I stop seeing my podiatrist? If your podiatrist is not helping you and she is not giving a good explanation why, you should get another opinion right away. When you see your second opinion doctor remember that everything you tell him might or might not get recorded in his record. Nevertheless, make sure you have a good understanding of your recent medical history so that you can give your new doctor accurate information with the hope it gets accurately recorded in his record.