Putting your health in the hands of a doctor or other healthcare provider makes most people feel vulnerable.
We trust these individuals because they have medical training and generally owe a duty of care to their patients.
However, when a medical practitioner acts or fails to act in accordance with that duty and injures a patient, it may constitute medical malpractice.
Real Cases, Real Answers
Recognize Your Situation In One Of These Medical Malpractice Case Examples?
Reading about birth injuries, surgical errors, brain injuries, or a preventable amputation can bring back a lot of unanswered questions about your own experience. You do not have to sort through what happened on your own. Our attorneys can listen to your story and give you an honest, no-cost assessment of where things stand.
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What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice is a form of negligence.
A health care provider must use the degree of skill and care expected of a reasonably competent professional with similar training and experience.
If a health care provider breaches this duty by deviating from the accepted standards of care and causes injury to the patient, the health care provider may be found to be negligent.
Key Takeaways
What These Medical Malpractice Case Examples Have In Common
The medical malpractice case examples above cover very different injuries, but they share the same legal foundation. Here is what matters most if you are wondering whether your experience fits the pattern.
- Medical malpractice happens when a provider fails to meet the standard of care a reasonably competent professional with similar training would follow, and that failure causes injury.
- Birth injuries such as brain damage, nerve injuries like Erb’s palsy, or fractures can result from negligent monitoring or a delayed response during labor and delivery.
- Surgical errors, especially during spinal or brain surgery, can cause partial or full paralysis when a provider fails to follow proper protocol before, during, or after the procedure.
- Missed or delayed diagnosis of infections, blood clots, or vascular injuries is one of the most common paths to a preventable amputation.
4 Medical Malpractice Case Examples
There are many examples of medical malpractice.
The following are examples of a few types of medical malpractice that can result in life-altering and tragic consequences.
1. Birth Injuries
Babies sometimes suffer physical injuries during the birth process.
Depending on the circumstances of pregnancy as well as the labor and delivery, these birth injuries may occur due to the negligence of the health care providers involved in treating the mother and baby.
Birth injuries include:
- Brain Injury
- Nerve injury
- Fractures
While some of these injuries can heal or resolve soon after birth, others may cause permanent disabilities.
2. Surgical Errors Resulting in Paralysis
Surgery can involve risks and complications. If, however, paralysis or other injuries occur during a surgical procedure, it may be the result of medical negligence.
Examples of operations that can cause paralysis include spinal surgery and brain surgery.
3. Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can result in lifelong cognitive impairment, vision or speech issues, stroke, coma, and/or death.
Examples of medical negligence that may lead to brain injuries include:
- Anesthesia errors,
- Intubation delays,
- Failure to treat infections,
- Stroke mismanagement,
- Insufficiently controlling bleeding during surgery.
These are just a few examples of medical negligence resulting in brain injuries.
Any medical mistake that deprives a patient of oxygen for a prolonged period also can lead to permanent brain injury.
4. Medical Mistakes Leading to Amputation
When a patient suffers an amputation because the doctor failed to manage the patient’s condition properly, the provider’s actions may give rise to a malpractice claim.
Examples of medical negligence resulting in amputation include applying a cast too tightly, failing to appropriately treat a wound or infection, or operating on the wrong limb.
We Know What These Records Should Show
Let Us Review The Medical Records Behind What Happened To You
Every case example on this page started with someone asking the same question you may be asking now. Operative reports, delivery records, imaging, and physician notes often hold the answer, and our team knows how to read them for signs of negligence. A conversation with us costs nothing and comes with no obligation.
Schedule A Free ConsultationContact Our Medical Malpractice Attorneys To Discuss Your Case
If you or a loved one believes you have been injured as a result of medical malpractice, please contact one of the experienced attorneys at Brockstedt Mandalas Federico.
Lawyers on our preeminent medical malpractice team have served victims of medical malpractice throughout Maryland for over 25 years.
We handle many high-stakes and complex cases and are willing to take your case to trial, if necessary, to get the results you deserve.
Contact Brockstedt Mandalas Federico to discuss your case today.
Malpractice Verdicts Across Maryland
Documented Medical Malpractice Case Examples From Birth Injury To Amputation
The medical malpractice case examples above cover birth injuries, surgical errors, brain injuries, and amputations — and each one has played out in a real Maryland courtroom. Explore four publicly documented verdicts below, then use the map to see exactly where each case took place.
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Case outcomes shown are drawn from public verdict reporting and court records. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case. Award amounts may be affected by Maryland’s cap on noneconomic damages, high-low agreements, and the appeals process.
Think Your Situation Resembles One Of These Medical Malpractice Case Examples?
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Phil Federico is a partner at Brockstedt Mandalas Federico where he helps lead the Mass Tort / Class Action and Environmental Law practices, transitioning into these areas after beginning his career as a medical malpractice litigator.
Phil has led and been involved in historic and groundbreaking litigation with verdicts and settlements exceeding one billion dollars.