Medical Malpractice Attorney in New City

Direct Counsel from a Solo Practitioner with 20+ Years of New York Malpractice Experience

When you or a family member suffers harm from negligent medical care in New City, NY, the questions come fast: Was this malpractice? Who is responsible? How much time do I have? I’m David Kates, and I’ve spent over two decades answering those questions for patients and families across the New York region, including those receiving care from Rockland County providers. I handle every case personally, from our first call through resolution, with no handoff to associates.

Medical malpractice claims are evidence-driven and time-sensitive. Insurance companies move quickly to protect providers, and New York’s 30-month statute of limitations means delay can cost you the right to pursue a claim entirely. Polish language services are also available for clients who prefer to communicate in Polish.

Suspect medical malpractice in New City? Call (718) 866-3664 today for a free, private case review and find out what options you may have.

Why Patients Choose My Law Office

The most common concern I hear from prospective clients is this: will I actually deal with the attorney I hired, or be passed along to someone else? At my office, the answer is straightforward. When you call, you speak with me. I review your records, develop your legal strategy, and stay involved in every key decision. You know who is responsible for your case.

Over more than two decades handling New York medical malpractice matters, I’ve recovered millions of dollars for injured patients and grieving families. Verified results include an $11 million settlement, an $8 million settlement, a $2.8 million settlement, and a $1 million verdict in a Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome case. Each case is different, and past results can’t predict future outcomes, but these figures reflect thorough preparation and determined advocacy.

As a native New Yorker, I understand how medical malpractice lawsuits move through New York courts and how hospitals and providers in the region, including those serving New City and Rockland County, typically operate. That familiarity shapes how I evaluate what happened and how I build a case.

Do You Have a Medical Malpractice Case?

In New York, medical malpractice generally occurs when a doctor, hospital, or other provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and that failure causes serious harm. Not every bad outcome qualifies. The care must have fallen below what a reasonably careful provider would have done in the same situation, and that departure must have caused your injury.

New York Civil Practice Law and Rules section 3012-A requires the plaintiff’s attorney to file a certificate of merit confirming consultation with a qualified medical professional who found grounds for the claim. This is one reason early case review matters: I work with medical professionals to assess whether the standard of care was likely violated before a case is filed.

I handle a broad range of matters, including misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, surgical mistakes, medication errors, failure to respond to changes in a patient’s condition, anesthesia errors, emergency room errors, radiology errors, NICU errors, CRPS, birth-related injuries such as Erb’s palsy and forceps delivery injuries, and failures to order appropriate tests or consult specialists. Wrongful death claims arising from medical negligence are also within the scope of what I handle.

Signs that a closer legal review is warranted:

• Unexpected or severe complications that were never discussed before a procedure
• A diagnosis that changed significantly after a second opinion or further testing
• Staff who seem unable or unwilling to explain what went wrong in clear terms
• Medical records that don’t match what you remember being told or experiencing
• A sudden decline after being discharged from an emergency room or clinic

How I Handle a Medical Injury Claim

The first conversation is about your story. I listen to what happened, ask about your medical history, the care you received, and how your life has changed. That gives me a clear picture of whether further investigation makes sense.

If we agree to move forward, I gather and study your medical records, imaging, and test results, examining timelines, chart notes, and orders closely. I then consult with qualified medical professionals to assess whether treatment met or fell below the applicable standard of care. From there, I identify all potentially liable parties, which can include individual physicians, physician groups, hospitals, outpatient centers, nurses, pharmacists, or other providers depending on the facts.

Throughout the process, I communicate in plain language and involve you in every major decision. The first consultation is free. In many cases, clients don’t pay legal fees out of pocket at the outset, and I explain exactly how fees and case expenses work during our first conversation, so there are no surprises.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuits in New York

New York imposes firm deadlines and a defined process that shapes how quickly you need to act and what to expect along the way.

Deadlines & the Statute of Limitations

New York’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally 30 months (two and a half years) from the date of the alleged malpractice or the end of continuous treatment by the provider being sued. For minors, the clock is tolled until their 18th birthday, but New York law also imposes an absolute 10-year cap from the date of the malpractice, which can significantly shorten that window for younger children. A child injured at birth, for example, must have a claim filed before their 10th birthday, not their 20th. Waiting too long eliminates the right to pursue a claim regardless of how strong the facts are.

How a Case Progresses

Most cases move through several stages: investigation and record review, consultation with medical professionals, filing in the appropriate New York court, and discovery, which includes exchanging records, answering written questions, and taking depositions. Many cases resolve through settlement at various points in that process. Some go to trial when a fair agreement can’t be reached.

If a case succeeds, available compensation can include medical expenses, lost income, future care needs, and pain and suffering. Informed consent failures and wrongful death from medical negligence are also recognized grounds for recovery under New York law. Every case is unique, and no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome. My role is to explain the realistic range of possibilities and pursue the best result the evidence supports.

What to Do If You Suspect Malpractice in New City

Your health comes first. Continue necessary treatment, and if you’re uncertain about the care you’ve received, consider a second opinion from a different qualified provider. A few practical steps can also protect your legal rights while the facts are still fresh.

Steps that help preserve your ability to pursue a claim:

• Save all medical records, discharge papers, test results, prescriptions, and insurance notices related to the care in question
• Write down a timeline of events, including dates, names, and what you were told, while your memory is clear
• Avoid posting about the situation on social media in ways that could be misunderstood or taken out of context
• Don’t sign releases, waivers, or settlement paperwork without understanding what rights you may be giving up

Early documentation, including dates, names, and written recollections of conversations, often plays a significant role in evaluating a potential claim. When you’re ready, a free and confidential consultation gives you a chance to share what happened and get an honest assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Know If I Have a Medical Malpractice Case?

It requires a careful review of the care provided, how it compares to accepted standards, and whether any failures likely caused the injury. In a free consultation, we discuss your concerns and decide together whether an investigation makes sense. I won’t encourage you to pursue a claim if the facts don’t support it.

What Will It Cost to Meet With You?

There’s no charge for your initial consultation. During that conversation, I explain how legal fees and case expenses are typically handled in medical malpractice matters, so you can decide whether to move forward without financial pressure or obligation.

Will You Personally Handle My Case?

If I accept your case, I handle it personally from start to finish. I speak with you directly, review your records, work with medical professionals, and appear in court. You won’t be handed off to a junior attorney you’ve never met.

How Long Do These Cases Usually Take?

New York medical malpractice cases often take many months or longer because of the time needed to gather records, obtain expert opinions, complete discovery, and work around court scheduling. The specific timeline depends on the complexity of the medicine involved. I discuss realistic timing with you at the outset so you know what to expect.

What Should I Bring to Our First Consultation?

Bring any records you already have: discharge papers, test results, medication lists, letters from providers or insurers. A written timeline of events is also helpful. If you don’t have everything yet, we can still talk. I can explain how records are typically obtained and work from there.

How Much Time Do I Have to File?

New York’s statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally 30 months from the date of the alleged malpractice or the end of continuous treatment by the provider involved. For minors, an absolute 10-year cap from the date of the malpractice applies in addition to the standard deadline, which can cut that window short for younger children. Missing the applicable deadline generally eliminates the right to pursue a claim, so contacting a medical malpractice attorney in New City sooner rather than later matters.

Talk With Me About Your Next Steps

If negligent medical care in or around New City, New York has turned your life upside down, you don’t have to face the medical and legal questions alone. In our first conversation, I can listen carefully, answer your questions in plain language, and explain how New York medical malpractice law may apply to your situation. There’s no charge for this consultation and no obligation to file a case.

To schedule your free and confidential consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer New City residents can reach directly, call (718) 866-3664.