Aberdeen Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Suffering a medical malpractice injury can be devastating for victims. The aftermath of such an injury can involve long-term or permanent disabilities that negatively affect the patient’s ability to work, engage in daily activities, and simply enjoy life. Additionally, victims may experience feelings of betrayal and loss of trust in the healthcare system, further exacerbating their emotional distress.

Fortunately, if you suffered harm because of medical malpractice, then you might be entitled to monetary damages. After reviewing the specifics of your case, our legal team can explain how much compensation may be available to you. Further, we can help build your claim and fight fiercely for the payment you rightfully deserve.

Get assistance from our medical malpractice lawyers today by calling Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Defining Medical Malpractice in Aberdeen, MD

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional, such as a doctor, nurse, or other medical practitioner, deviates from the accepted standards of care in the medical community. If a patient is injured because their healthcare professional committed medical malpractice, then the victim may sue for the damages they sustained.

Still, you cannot sue your doctor simply because their recommended treatment did not produce a favorable outcome. In order to recover damages for medical malpractice, you must have been injured because your physician deviated from typical treatments that would have been administered by other physicians with similar experience under similar circumstances.

There are several forms of medical malpractice. For instance, medical malpractice may involve errors in diagnosis, treatment, aftercare, or health management. If you suspect that you may have been injured as the result of a healthcare provider’s negligence, our legal professionals are prepared to help. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys can evaluate the strength of your potential case and explain the appropriate actions to take.

Examples of Errors that May Constitute Medical Malpractice in Aberdeen, MD

As a potential plaintiff, determining whether your healthcare professional’s conduct constituted medical malpractice will be one of the first steps in your case. There are several types of errors that may be considered the basis for a malpractice lawsuit. For instance, you may be able to sue if you were injured as a result of any of the following:

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors encompass a wide range of mistakes made during surgical procedures, including performing the wrong surgery, operating on the wrong body part, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient’s body, or damaging surrounding tissues or organs. These errors can lead to severe complications, prolonged recovery times, and sometimes permanent disabilities for the patient.

Misdiagnosis

Misdiagnosis occurs when a healthcare provider fails to accurately diagnose a patient’s medical condition or diagnoses it incorrectly. This can result in delayed or improper treatment, allowing the underlying condition to worsen. Misdiagnosis can also lead to unnecessary procedures or medications, causing additional harm to the patient.

Medication Errors

Medication errors involve mistakes in prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications. This can include prescribing the wrong medication, the wrong dosage, or medication that interacts negatively with other drugs the patient is taking. Medication errors can lead to adverse drug reactions, overdose, or serious complications for the patient.

Mistakes During Childbirth

Birth injuries occur during the childbirth process and can result from medical negligence or improper care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery. These injuries can affect both the mother and the newborn and may include conditions such as brachial plexus injuries, cerebral palsy, or birth trauma. Birth injuries can have lifelong consequences for the child and may require extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors involve mistakes made during the administration of anesthesia before, during, or after surgery. These errors can include administering too much or too little anesthesia, failing to monitor the patient properly during the procedure, or using defective equipment. Anesthesia errors can lead to serious complications such as anesthesia awareness, respiratory problems, or brain damage.

Failure to Obtain Informed Consent

Failure to obtain informed consent occurs when a healthcare provider fails to properly inform a patient about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a proposed treatment or procedure, and the patient suffers harm as a result. Patients have the right to make informed decisions about their medical care, and when this right is violated, it can lead to legal action against the healthcare provider.

Examples of Evidence Used in Aberdeen Medical Malpractice Cases

Medical malpractice cases can be highly complex. Plaintiffs must often present copious amounts of evidence in order to support their claims. For instance, any of the following may be utilized by our legal professionals when seeking damages in your lawsuit:

Medical Records

Medical records are crucial pieces of evidence in medical malpractice cases as they document the patient’s medical history, treatment received, and interactions with healthcare providers. These records can include physician notes, test results, imaging studies, medication orders, and surgical reports. Analyzing medical records can help our team establish whether a healthcare provider deviated from the standard of care and whether this deviation led to the patient’s injuries or harm.

Expert Witness Testimony

Expert witness testimony is often essential in medical malpractice lawsuits to establish the standard of care and whether the defendant healthcare provider breached that standard. Medical experts, such as other physicians or healthcare professionals in the same specialty, can review the case facts and provide opinions on whether the defendant’s actions or omissions constituted negligence. Expert witnesses can also testify about the causation of the patient’s injuries and the extent of damages suffered.

Witness Statements

Witness statements from individuals who observed the events leading to the alleged medical malpractice can provide valuable insight into what happened. These witnesses may include other healthcare staff, family members, or bystanders who were present during the patient’s treatment or procedure. Witness statements can corroborate the patient’s account of the events and help establish liability in the case.

Documentation of Communication

Documentation of communication between the patient and healthcare provider, such as consent forms, treatment plans, and informed consent discussions, can be used as evidence in medical malpractice lawsuits. This documentation can help demonstrate whether the patient was adequately informed about the risks and benefits of treatment options and whether they consented to the care provided. Lack of proper communication and documentation can indicate negligence on the part of the healthcare provider.