Beyond your family, the one person you trust the most is a medical professional. Whether it is your family physician or a doctor in an emergency room, you trust that professional to properly diagnose and treat any ailment or injury. When that professional fails in that duty of care, it can trigger harm and lead to a medical malpractice lawsuit.
In the complex world of healthcare, being the victim of medical malpractice can be a harrowing and painful experience for both patients and their families.
When faced with the daunting task of seeking justice and compensation for your injuries and suffering, having the right legal representation is crucial. The attorneys at GDH Law have helped many clients navigate the challenging aspects and complexities you may encounter in pursuing justice.
Consider reaching out to us to discuss what your healthcare provider did that harmed you during a complimentary case evaluation with an attorney in our office.
How Common Healthcare Provider Negligence Occurs in Maryland
The Maryland State Department of Health Office of Healthcare Quality received an estimated 800 reports of medical errors that led to patient injuries or fatalities in 2022. That same report detailed how 92% of those incidents qualified as Level I cases, which is the most serious classification.
Other important data shared in that report is how surgical errors rose from 31 events in 2021 to 64 in 2022. Additionally, those statistics showed that, from 2020 to 2022, the total medical error incidents at Maryland hospitals increased by about 168%.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice That Occur
Incidents in which healthcare professionals fail to provide a patient with the accepted standard of medical care, resulting in harm, constitute medical malpractice. This can include any negligence that leads to injury or death.
Some common types of medical malpractice affecting Maryland residents include:
- Failure to diagnose: Neglecting to identify a disease or condition can constitute a failure to deliver the standard of care. A recent study in the BMJ Quality & Safety states that an estimated 795,000 patients die or are permanently disabled due to diagnostic errors each year. If other doctors possessing the same information would have correctly diagnosed your condition, the doctor who didn’t may be considered negligent.
- Misdiagnosis: A medical professional incorrectly diagnosing a patient with a different condition than the one they actually have may also be considered a breach of the standard of care. This is especially true if evidence can show that other physicians, with the same information, could have arrived at an accurate diagnosis.
- Surgical Errors: A 2024 StatPearls study published by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) outlined how at least 4,000 surgical errors happen in the U.S. each year and that operations on the wrong body part are common errors surgeons make.
- Lack of follow-up care: The doctor’s responsibility to their patient extends beyond a specific surgery or procedure. Medical complications often don’t arise until days or even weeks following medical care. This is why follow-up care is critical to the healing process. Failure to uphold the standard of follow-up care is likely to be construed as a breach of duty.
- Misreading or misinterpreting lab results: Life or death medical decisions and their consequences can often hinge on laboratory test outcomes. Physicians must exercise due diligence in reading, interpreting, and applying these results correctly. Failing to do so can have devastating consequences and bring serious legal and financial damages against doctors and medical facilities.
- Prescription drug errors: Prescription drug errors are among the most common causes of medical malpractice cases. These drugs can have far more potent effects on the body than over-the-counter medications. This is why they are so heavily regulated by government agencies, which mandate intense doctor and pharmacist supervision. If a physician prescribes an incorrect drug or dosage or a pharmacist fills a prescription incorrectly, it can lead to severe and even fatal complications.
- Intentional harm: While rare, intentionally causing harm to a patient obviously deviates from the acceptable standard of care. Such cases might result in criminal charges, civil liability, and loss of licensing.
In Maryland, as in other states, victims of medical malpractice have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and suffering.
Why You Need a Medical Negligence Attorney in Prince George’s County
Navigating a medical malpractice case is a complex and intricate process requiring a deep understanding of the legal and medical aspects involved.
At GDH Law, each Chillum medical malpractice lawyer in our office is competent, ready, and able to be your advocate, help you build a strong case, and fight to ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal proceedings.
One of the first and most important tasks we help with is to obtain a certificate from a qualified expert. This involves having an independent medical practitioner in the same related field to review all the relevant documentation in your claim to determine the merits. This is not the final resolution to your claim, but it can provide a vital foundation that we can help build your case on.
Maryland has specific laws and regulations governing medical malpractice cases, and it’s essential to be aware of these regulations when pursuing a claim.
Choosing the Right Chillum Medical Malpractice Lawyer to Represent You
Choosing the right attorney for your medical malpractice case can significantly impact the outcome and improve your chances for a positive result. You want a lawyer with experience in handling medical malpractice cases and the necessary expertise to navigate the complexities of this area of law.
When assessing whether the legal representative you’re considering hiring is the right fit for your case, it may be beneficial if you meet with any prospective attorney for a free consultation.
Our medical malpractice attorneys offer a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your case, giving you a risk-free opportunity to assess whether the lawyer is the right fit for your needs.
During this consultation, be prepared to explain the events leading to the alleged malpractice. You’ll also want to bring any medical records you may have and any correspondence with healthcare providers.
The right attorney for your case is one who:
Is Equipped to Build Your Case
The right attorney should feel comfortable working with medical experts to establish a clear connection between the healthcare provider’s negligence and your harm. This may involve obtaining additional medical records, consulting expert witnesses, and thoroughly investigating the malpractice incident’s circumstances.
Is Confident Negotiating Settlements
Medical malpractice claims are often resolved through negotiation and settlement rather than going to trial. Your attorney will need to be a skilled negotiator, willing to meet with the defendant, their legal team, or insurer as needed to reach a fair settlement that compensates you for your injuries and losses.
If a settlement cannot be reached, your Chillum medical malpractice lawyer will need to be prepared to take your case to trial.
Medical Malpractice FAQs
As you recover from the harm caused by a medical professional, GDH Law can step in and become your advocate to handle all the legal aspects of the case. That begins with providing you with the information you need to make the right decision about the next course of action to pursue your compensation.
That support begins with the answers to the following frequently asked questions:
How long do I have to file a medical malpractice claim?
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice claim is five years from the date of the injury or three years from the date of discovering the injury, whichever is earliest. If you file outside of the statute of limitations, you will not be able to receive any compensation.
Is there a limit to how much I can be awarded?
While Maryland doesn’t currently cap or limit the amount of economic damages (such as medical expenses or lost wages) that a plaintiff can receive in a medical malpractice case, there is a cap of $905,000 for noneconomic damages and $1,131,250 for a wrongful death claim.
What is the hardest element to prove in a medical malpractice claim?
The hardest element to establish in a medical malpractice claim is causation. That is the link between the medical professional’s negligence and your actual injury. This is challenging to prove in some cases because an injury can occur because of many factors. For example, a patient who suffers a stroke might have other underlying medical conditions that trigger the stroke and not just the medical error.
Who can be named in a claim?
When you think of a medical malpractice claim, you think a doctor is wholly responsible for the injury. That might be true in many instances because the doctor in charge of your care has the “final word.” However, the following professionals or entities could also be named:
- Nurses
- Nurse aides
- Pharmacists
- Anesthesiologists
- Radiologists
- Physical therapists
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Dentists
- Hospital
- Urgent Care Clinic
- EMTs
Is there any way to look up a doctor’s past malpractice issues?
Yes, can look up any doctor’s past with the Maryland Board of Physician’s Profile Search. A doctor’s past claims can be part of your supportive evidence.
GDH Law Is Available If a Healthcare Provider Harmed You
At GDH Law, we understand that facing the aftermath of medical malpractice can be a challenging and traumatic time. Still, with the right Chillum medical malpractice lawyer in your corner, you can seek the justice you deserve and the compensation you need.
If you believe you’ve been the victim of medical malpractice in Maryland, seeking a qualified attorney who can guide you through the process is vital. Knowledge is power, and being informed about your rights and the resources available is the first step towards a resolution.
Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced attorney to help with your case.
