FAQs

• Q.What Is A Breast Ultrasound Sonogram

  A.

  Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonogram, involves exposing the breast to high-frequency sound waves.  A computer then calculates the distance to the reflecting or absorbing surface and then produces a two or three-dimensional image of the internal structures of the breast.  Ultrasound exams do not use x-rays. 
  
  Breast ultrasounds are one of the tools used to find breast cancer.  Another tool used to find breast cancer is the mammogram.
  
  A video showing a breast ultrasound can be viewed here.

• Q.What Is Medical Malpractice Or Medical Negligence

  A.

  The term "medical malpractice" is nothing more than "negligence" in the setting of medical treatment.  Therefore, to understand what medical malpractice is, all you need to know is what "negligence" is.  Negligence is just a fancy lawyer word for carelessness.  When a person is careless, they are, by definition, negligent.  It's this simple:  negligence equals carelessness.  And carelessness simply means not taking enough care under the circumstances.  So, if a doctor or a nurse or other person who provides you with medical treatment fails to take enough care under the circumstances, and you suffer an injury as a result, you have been the victim of medical negligence or medical malpractice.
  
  Medical negligence or medical malpractice does not mean that anyone tried to harm you or that anyone intended to harm you.  A doctor or a nurse or a hospital can have the very best of intentions towards you and still commit medical negligence or medical malpractice if they fail to take enough care under the circumstances to protect you from harm.
  
  A good rule to follow is this:  if the medical care you received harmed you in any way there is a chance that you have been the victim of medical negligence or medical malpractice.  The only way to know for sure if the harm you suffered was the result of medical negligence or malpractice is to discuss your situation with a medical negligence lawyer.
  
  If you have a question about your case, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Pennsylvania for a free evaluation of your case.  We specialize in helping people injured by medical malpractice.

• Q.What Does Statute Of Limitations Mean

  A.

  You may be asking yourself the following question: How much time do I have to file a lawsuit for my injuries or for the death of a loved one?  The rules that answer this question are called “Statutes of Limitations”.
  
  These rules provide that if you don’t file a lawsuit within the time allotted, you can NEVER file a lawsuit to be compensated for your injuries or the death of a loved one.

  Each state has its own Statutes of Limitations.  In addition, you may have a claim pursuant to a law of the United States which may contain its own unique statute of limitations.  Click here for a description of the statutes of limitations for injury and death claims in Pennsylvania.

  To talk with us about your case, you may call us at 412-471-4300 , or email us.  At Berger & Lagnese, we specialize in medical malpractice, and work on cases in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Uniontown, Beaver, Erie, Washington, and all of Western Pennsylvania.  Our lawyers and doctor will find out what happened during your medical care.  There is no cost to you.

• Q.What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Cerebral Palsy

  A.

  The signs and symptoms of Cerebral Palsy range from barely perceptible to obvious, and include the following:
   

  • Poor head control
  • Difficulty feeding and sucking
  • Delays in motor development
  • Lying in awkward positions
  • Easily or frequently startled
  • Delay in crawling, walking, pushing up on all fours
  • Favoring of one hand over the other
  • Abnormal crawling
  • Floppy or stiff movements (overdeveloped or underdeveloped muscles)
  • Ataxia (loss of coordination and balance)·
  • Athetosis (involuntary slow, writhing movements)
  • Spastic paralysis (abnormal stiffness and contraction of muscles)
  • Motor impairment (difficulty with writing and other coordinated tasks)
  • Involuntary movements
  • Slow overall development
  • Difficulty with speech, hearing, or vision
  • Difficulty with perception or sensation
  • Inability to control bladder
  • Inability to control bowels
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Seizures
  • Behavioral and/or attention deficit disorders
  • Impaired sense of touch or pain
  • Swallowing problems
  • Limited range of motion
  • Progressive joint contractures
  • Peg teeth

• Q.What Is Hipaa

  A.

  HIPAA is an acronym for a federal statute titled, “Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996”.  HIPAA, and the federal regulations which implement HIPAA, address the use and disclosure of your health information by doctors, hospitals and other health care providers.  You have four basic rights under HIPAA:

  If you have a specific question about HIPAA or medical malpractice, please call us at 412-471-4300 or contact us.  At Berger & Lagnese, our lawyers specialize in medical malpractice, and work on cases in Pittsburgh, Greensburg, Uniontown, Beaver, Erie, Washington, and all of Western Pennsylvania.  Our team of lawyers will find out what happened with your medical care and will get you the answers to your questions.

  • the right to inspect or copy your health information
  • the right to request a correction of your health information
  • the right to a notice of how your health care provider uses and discloses health information
  • the right to obtain an accounting of how your information has been disclosed