Pikesville, MD Medical Malpractice Lawyer

When a healthcare professional deviates from acceptable standards of practice and harms a patient, it is considered medical malpractice. This type of negligence can take various forms and often results in serious damages.

If you have been injured due to medical malpractice, you may be entitled to receive financial compensation. There are different types of damages that can be compensated, but getting paid can be challenging without the assistance of experienced legal representation. Determining medical malpractice can be difficult and there are several hurdles to filing a lawsuit. However, you have the right to be compensated when a healthcare provider’s care falls below the accepted standard.

For a free case review with our medical malpractice attorneys, call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.

Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim in Pikesville, MD

If you are considering filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, it is recommended that you consult with our medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. While the actual filing of the lawsuit is a relatively quick process, the bulk of the work lies in preparing the case for filing, which can take several months.

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide proper medical care and skill, as determined by the standard of care in their field of expertise, resulting in injury to the patient. To establish a successful medical malpractice case in Pikesville, it is essential to determine whether healthcare professionals followed the standard of care.

It is important to note that negative outcomes from medical procedures are not always considered medical malpractice. Rather, medical malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to adhere to accepted practices in their field. For instance, it is standard practice for doctors to check a patient’s allergies before prescribing medication. If a doctor neglects to check a patient’s allergies and administers a medication to which the patient is allergic, this could be grounds for medical malpractice.

One of the first steps in pursuing a medical malpractice case is to have your claims evaluated by another medical professional. These cases are often complex and require expertise in medical and scientific fields that many attorneys, judges, and jurors might not possess. In order to comply with Maryland law, medical malpractice plaintiffs must present a certificate from a qualified expert to support the validity of their claim.

Essentially, we need the opinion of a medical professional, preferably someone with relevant expertise in your particular injuries, to assess whether or not medical negligence occurred. In other words, we require a doctor to confirm that your injuries were the result of receiving treatment that was below the standard of care.

Common Forms of Medical Malpractice in Pikesville, MD

There are various ways medical malpractice can happen, but we are equipped to handle cases involving negligence from doctors, nurses, and hospitals. Since medical malpractice can take many forms, it is essential to have those familiar with medical malpractice review your case to identify any potential issues. In Pikesville, the following are prevalent types of medical malpractice:

Misdiagnosis

When it comes to our medical conditions, we depend on our doctors to accurately diagnose and provide treatment. Unfortunately, there are instances where a diagnosis is missed, resulting in inadequate treatment or, in some cases, treatment that worsens the situation. The failure to diagnose certain conditions can have fatal consequences. For example, if a form of cancer is not identified promptly, treatment options might be limited once it is finally detected. Diagnostic errors can also occur during medical tests, as doctors often rely on other medical professionals to administer and interpret the results. When mistakes are made during testing, misdiagnosis becomes more likely.

Surgical Errors

There are risks associated with every surgical procedure. If an error or oversight occurs during the operation, it could result in life-altering complications for the patient. One common mistake is when surgical tools or sponges are left inside the patient’s body, which can cause infection or puncture vital organs. Surgeons might also make errors during the procedure, such as accidentally cutting or damaging blood vessels or internal organs. In some cases, they might even operate on the wrong part of the body. It is crucial to monitor a patient’s vital signs during surgery to avoid missing any significant changes, such as a drop in blood pressure, which could lead to catastrophic complications.

Lack of Informed Consent

It is common for medical malpractice to occur due to the lack of informed consent provided to patients. Physicians have a duty to inform their patients about any risks associated with a specific procedure or medication. If healthcare professionals fail to notify their patients of potential complications associated with their treatment, they can be found guilty of medical malpractice.

Post-Operative Care

Following a surgical procedure, it is crucial to provide the patient with post-operative care and observation. Neglecting to monitor a patient’s vital signs and symptoms could lead to the development of severe complications or infections as a result of the surgery.

Medication Mistakes

It is crucial to include medication as a part of medical treatment. However, if the wrong prescription is given or the medicine is not administered correctly, it can result in harmful complications. Some common mistakes include prescribing medication that can have harmful interactions with the patient’s current medication and giving or prescribing the incorrect dosage.

Time Limit to File a Medical Malpractice Case in Pikesville, MD

In order to file a lawsuit for medical malpractice, it is important to know the deadlines set by each state’s statutes of limitations. In Maryland, the time frame for filing such a claim is governed by Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-109. You typically have five years from the date of your injury or three years from the discovery of your injury, whichever comes first, to bring your case to court. Failing to file your case on time could result in you missing out on vital monetary damages.

It is recommended that you begin working on your medical malpractice case as soon as possible, even though you might have years to file. Evidence can become harder to collect and preserve over time, making it important to start building your claim early. For example, important documents might be lost, and pertinent details might be forgotten. By beginning the process early, you might be able to collect evidence more efficiently.

In addition to filing your case on time, there are other requirements that must be met when bringing a medical malpractice lawsuit to court. You must file in the correct jurisdiction, including any necessary supporting documents, pay required filing fees, serve defendants, and ensure that you are filing a complete claim. If any of these requirements are not met properly, you might have to file your case again. Filing early might give you the time you need to re-file if necessary.

Our Pikesville, MD Medical Malpractice Lawyers Can Help

Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras today at (410) 694-7291 to receive your free case assessment with our medical malpractice lawyers.