Many doctors and other healthcare providers have dedicated their lives to helping others recover from illnesses and injuries. Unfortunately, all it takes is one mistake to seriously or even permanently damage a patient’s health. Medical malpractice victims often face significant medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses as a result of these mistakes. If you or a loved one may have been the victim of medical malpractice near Baltimore , you can consult an attorney to find out if you may have the basis for a lawsuit. .jpg)
What Are the Types of Medical Malpractice?
Many types of medical errors may constitute medical malpractice. Medical malpractice lawyers commonly litigate cases involving birth injuries, which can occur if an obstetrician improperly uses a vacuum and forceps during delivery, or if he or she fails to recommend an emergency C-section in a timely manner. Medical negligence may also involve misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, medication errors, anesthesia errors, and surgery mistakes.
Do I Have a Medical Malpractice Case?
Only your attorney can determine if you may be eligible to file a medical malpractice case. Not every medical problem or mistake constitutes negligence. To prove malpractice, your attorney will need to demonstrate that your healthcare provider breached the standard of care . In other words, he or she deviated from the standard course of treatment that any other healthcare provider would follow in a similar situation. Additionally, your attorney needs to prove that you sustained injuries and that this deviation from the standard of care was what caused your injuries.
What Is Informed Consent?
Informed consent means that healthcare providers are required to fully advise patients of all the potential benefits and risks of a particular treatment, and of any alternatives available. Healthcare providers must also obtain written consent from the patient. If your physician recommended an experimental treatment and failed to advise you that it was experimental, you may have a case for medical negligence.
What Types of Compensatory Damages are Available?
This can vary from case to case. Generally, medical malpractice lawyers demand compensation for past and future medical expenses, ongoing care needs, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pharmaceutical expenses, and other costs associated with the incident. You might also obtain compensation for your pain and suffering.
