Partner Laurie A. Annunziato and Associate Michelle A. Frankel authored an article " Mitigation of Medical Malpractice Risk Stemming from the Prescription of Psychotropic Medication" published in the March edition of MD News - Long Island
"Physicians may be sued for medical negligence based on a lack of informed consent if they prescribe medication without providing the patient with sufficient information to make an informed decision about whether to use the drug. Informed consent discussions may be particularly important when prescribing psychotropic medications because such medications may have extreme physical and psychological side effects. Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, weight gain, sleepiness, heart attack and/or stroke. Patients may also develop painful and sometimes irreversible disorders such as tardive dyskinesia, or experience suicidal ideation, hallucination or panic attacks. Patients may also begin to act aggressively, violently and/or impulsively due to their medication intake. There are a number of techniques that physicians can use to mitigate malpractice risk that may stem from the prescription of psychotropic medications and any side effects that may be endured."