New York Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Filed By Alex Rodriguez
Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez has filed a New York medical malpractice lawsuit against the team doctor for allegedly misdiagnosing a hip injury following an October 10 game against the Baltimore Orioles. Rodriguez is also suing the Yankees, whose general manager Brian Cashman has indicated that the allegations made by Alex Rodriguez are false.
The doctor who provided treatment to Rodriguez, or A-Rod as he is sometimes called, is Dr. Christopher Ahmad, who remains employed as the Yankee’s team physician. The New York-Presbyterian Hospital also provides diagnostic assistance and treatment to Yankee’s players. Alex Rodriguez has indicated that Dr. Ahmad did not tell A-Rod of the results of an MRI and cleared him to play during the postseason despite damage to his left hip.
A-Rod alleges doctor negligence led to misdiagnosed hip injury
In late August, an attorney for Alex Rodriguez told Matt Lauer of the “Today” show that litigation was likely against Dr. Ahmad and New York Presbyterian Hospital. The claim arises from an incident during the playoffs last year.
In Game 3 of the ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles, Rodriguez believed that his right hip felt “off.” The hip had been previously injured. Rodriguez went for an MRI the day after the game with Dr. Ahmad, with the test focusing on the right hip. A partial evaluation of the left hip was performed as well, and an October 11 report from the radiologist indicated that the right hip looked stable and did not have any re-tearing but that the left hip had revealed a “superior labral tear with small parabal cyst.” This report did not include notes or interpretation of the radiologist’s findings by Dr. Ahmad.
The notes from A-Rods October exam were sent to Dr. Marc Philippon, who had originally performed surgery on Mr. Rodriguez’ right hip several years prior. A-Rod continued to play after the October game, but a subsequent MRI performed by Mr. Philipp on October 29 showed that A-Rod needed surgery on his left hip. Mr. Rodriguez had continued to play from October 11 through the diagnosis on October 29, but his performance was disappointing.
Dr. Philippon’s diagnosis occurred after the Yankees had been eliminated from the playoffs and Rodriguez had surgery on his left hip during the off-season. A-Rod believes that Dr. Ahmad knew of the left hip problems but did not inform A-Rod. Because of the alleged failure to diagnose and inform him of the problem, Rodriguez believes he suffered further injury on the hip and required additional treatment as a result. A-Rod’s New York medical malpractice lawsuit seeks compensation for his damages.
Filing a New York medical malpractice lawsuit
While the claims made by Alex Rodriguez are unique in that they involve a professional baseball player, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are not uncommon problems and a delayed diagnosis can always have serious consequences.
You don’t have to be a millionaire baseball star to file a lawsuit if you were harmed by a doctor’s negligence. If a doctor misdiagnosed your condition, delayed your diagnosis or otherwise made mistakes that caused you harm, call The Sanders Firm toll free at 1.800.Fair.Play to schedule a free consultation and have your case evaluated. Resources
- ESPN, A-Rod’s lawyers plan malpractice suit, http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9582962/alex-rodriguez-preparing-malpractice-suit-new-york-yankees-team-doctor-source
- N.J. News, Alex Rodriguez’s hip injury was his fault, Yankees team doctor says, http://www.nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2013/11/alex_rodriguezs_hip_injury_was_his_fault_yankees_team_doctor_says.html
- NY Daily News, Alex Rodriguez files litigation against Yankees team doctor, hospital, http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/i-team/a-rod-files-litigation-yankee-doctor-hospital-article-1.1476957
