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

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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. My father died last year from what I believe were multiple medical mistakes .Are hospitals hard to sue

December 19, 2023

A: First, I am very sorry for your loss. And from what you describe it sounds as though this was a very protracted course.

The direct answer to your question is "no" as in hospitals are not difficult to sue, per se (if the case is brought by an experienced medical mapractice attorney). The issues for suing a hospital are very similar to those of suing and individual physician, although a hospital may be liable for "system" "policy" or "team" failures in ways that don't apply to individuals. Also, typically, the non-Attending medical providers such as nurses, residents, therapists, etc will also typically generate liability for the hospital (don't always have to be sued individually, as the hospital is generally responsible for them).

I would say that you should try to distinguish in your own mind between those things that you believe, medically, set the train in motion as far as your father's ultimate outcome. The dirty sheets, overall neglect etc, while terrible to witness (or experience) is often the type of "noise" that has to be put in perspective to get a real handle on case merits.

I am also struck by the fact of advanced abdominal cancer. If this was ultimately the cause of death, then in my opinion perhaps the most fruitful course of investigation would be whether there was an overall delay in diagnosis, looking back to care a year or more prior to the hospitalization. So I would recommend seeking experienced advice, with some of these distinctions in mind. I hope this is helpful to you. Best regards, Larry Deutsch ... Read More

Q. Can the statue of limitations start on when you find out about the issue

December 4, 2023

A: You will need an answer from a Colorado attorney. That said, I would get that answer as soon as possible because, at least in New York (my State of practice) and many other states, the time it takes to "discovery" malpractice does not necessarily stop the clock for limitations purposes. In fact, in New York, time to discovery only rarely stops the clock (for certain cancer misdiagnosis cases). Typically, the time to sue (in NY generally limited to 2.5 years) starts to run from the date of alleged malpractice.

That said, there are various extensions or "tolls" that may also apply, such as for a person under 18. However, as you can tell from only this brief discussion, the time limits are often not straight forward. Therefore, do not assume you have the full/maximum limitations period of Colorado in order to start your claim, but seek in-State advice sooner rather than later. There is also the practical issue that most reputable attorneys won't review a matter in which the time is just about to expire.

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

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

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