Laurence Michael Deutsch

Laurence Deutsch has a proven record of success in medical malpractice trials for over 20 years. He has achieved some of the leading verdicts in counties throughout New York State.

Mr. Deutsch has been included in the Verdicts and Settlements Hall of Fame by the New York Law Journal.

Mr. Deutsch carries the highest attorney rating (“10.0”) from the Avvo rating service. He has been awarded “Super Lawyer” designation by the Thompson Reuters rating agency. Mr. Deutsch has also obtained the highest rating of “Preeminent” from the Martindale-Hubbell rating agency.

Mr. Deutsch is the author of leading publications on trial practice and medical malpractice, including Medical Records for Attorneys (sole author of the full-length reference book, published by the American Bar Association). Mr. Deutsch is also co-author of the “Medical Malpractice” chapter for The Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Action in New York (published by the NY State Bar Ass’n) and the “Preparing for Trial” chapter for Medical Malpractice in New York (also published by NY State Bar
Assn).

Mr. Deutsch is a frequent lecturer at accredited programs for other attorneys, teaching trial strategy, medical malpractice law, evidence, and working with experts (New York State Trial Lawyers Association, New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers, American Business Institute, and the
American Conference Institute).

Mr. Deutsch received his Law Degree from the University of Chicago and his undergraduate degree from Union College graduating magna cum laude and elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Mr. Deutsch is admitted to all State Courts in the State of New York. Mr. Deutsch is a member of the Medical Malpractice Committee of the New York City Bar Association, which is an invitation-only

Medical Malpractice

Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Surgical Errors

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New York

Since 1988

Managing Partner

Deutsch Law PC

2021 - Current

Proven success representing medical malpractice plaintiffs in cases throughtout New York State. Offices in NYC, Westchester and Saratoga.

Partner

North & Deutsch, LLP

2014 - 2020

Partner in NYC based medical malpractice trial firm.

Principal

Laurence M. Deutsch Law Firm, P.C.

1998 - 2013

Representing patients injured through significant medical malpractice

Trial Attorney

Breitner & Hoffman

1994 - 1998

Medical Malpractice Defense-Trials

Associate

Bower & Gardner

1992 - 1994

Medical Malpractice defense

The University of Chicago Law School

J.D. (1987)

1984 - 1987

Union College

1980 - 1984

Honors: Phi Beta Kappa

Rated "Superb"

Avvo

2021

Internet attorney rating organization

New York Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

2020

Nominated by peers. Less than 5% of New York attorneys qualify.

Peer Review Rated

Martindale Hubbell

2000

Assn Bar of City of New York

Member; Subcommittee Co-Chair

2000 - Current

Activities: Member Medical Malpractice Committe; Co-Chair Legislative Subcommittee

American Assn Justice (Formerly ATLA)

Member

1998 - Current

Activities: Trial Lawyers Association

New York State Bar  # 2182996

Member

1988 - Current

Preparing for Trial (co-author of chapter, Medical Malpractice in New York, 4th ed)

NYS Bar Association

2017

Medical Malpractice (co-author of chapter, The Personal Injury Action in New York)

NYS Bar Association

2014

Working With Experts and Expert Related Evidence

National Business Inst.

September, 2008

Decisions 2006

NYSTLI

2006

Medical Records for Attorneys

American Bar Assn -American Law Inst.

January, 2001

Q. I had a baby two weeks ago, the hospital released me. Two weeks later i started himriging had to have surgery.

July 26, 2023

A: I'm not licensed in Ohio but from what you say I think you should look for a medical malpractice attorney in your State who specializes in malpractice. From what you say, I believe that you will find qualified attorneys who will want to investigate this in detail, if you find the right attorneys.

From what you say, it appears this may be a viable case (that this was a miss that should not have occurred). And, inability to have more children at 21 is, to my thinking, a significant injury, in addition to the pain and distress you experienced from the hemorrhage itself. The legal "value" of such a matter will also depend on a number of other factors, e.g. how many children you now have, whether married, plans to have future children etc.

I brought a very similar case in New York for failing to diagnose "retained placenta" and won that in a jury trial. Our experts believed (and the jury agreed) that there was insufficient examination and that the retained placenta should have been picked up.

In addition, it seems that the balloon placement itself may have been negligent in causing additional injury.

As this is a specialized area, I would advise to seek a "true" medical malpractice attorney. Look at the website of prospective attorneys, and see if they emphasize medical cases (or have particular attorney who specialize in them). Too many attorneys try to do the "occasional" malpractice case, but in my experience this doesn't work well.

I hope this is of some help to you. ... Read More

Q. My dad died Aug 26,2022 due to a "simple surgery" the dr performing the surgery accidentally cut something else

July 21, 2023

A: First, I'm very sorry for your loss.

As presented, this has the appearance of malpractice not only by the surgeon, but also by the hospital.

There are times when cutting the wrong thing can be defended as a "risk of procedure" but for a post operative patient reporting severe pain, after discharge, this should be a priority case for the surgical team, and hospital, when the patient comes back to the hospital.

I am not by the way exonerating the initial surgeon, but the specific facts about what he cut, and where it was in relation to the intended area needs to be investigated. Sometimes the "cut" is an injury caused by other instruments as well (such as retractors, held by the resident). If so, then then that could point to the hospital or program which employed them. And, responsibility to have seen the injury, before closing the patient, may still rest with the surgeon.

My overall response is that you would be well advised to seek malpractice counsel in GA. Once they get the records, it should help clarify some of these issues. Make your preference to notify the licensing board known to your attorneys. It is not uncommon for a civil attorney to simultaneously investigate a case for civil suit, and file a licensing complaint. The licensing authorities may also help uncover evidence useful to a civil case.

In either case, and even if you don't ultimately pursue civil suit, I would consult a GA malpractice attorney, who should be able to help you determine whether and how to file a licensing complaint.

I hope this is helpful to you. ... Read More

Q. I went to the hospital last night in the ER doctor was very rude and ignorant towards me and told me I had inflammation

July 21, 2023

A: I'm not licensed in Florida, but have practiced in medical malpractice for 30 years in New York State (first on the defense and now on Plaintiff's side). But I would feel comfortable stating that unless there was a significant, physical injury from an act of malpractice, there would not be a viable case.

It is unfortunate that a doctor was rude. However, this is not (legally) malpractice.

If they were as you say ignorant, i.e. misdiagnosed you (or missed an important diagnosis) that might indeed be malpractice, if the diagnosis should have been made by a competent doctor, and without use of hindsight. But again, even if this were the case, without an injury (significant, physical) having been caused by such malpractice (if that was the case) there would not be a case.

If you were treated very disrespectfully, you may want to notify the hospital's Patient Satisfaction department, which may indeed follow up with the doctor (because a "loose cannon" doctor is liable to get them sued, in the right circumstance).

This may not be what you had hoped for. But this is the reality of the situation. I hope this is helpful. ... Read More

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