Medical malpractice can result in serious injuries and/or death. Healthcare providers are responsible for providing treatment that complies with the applicable standards of care.
A reasonably competent healthcare provider should meet the standards of care and skill expected in the same or similar circumstances.
Individuals can sue doctors and other health care providers for medical malpractice, including:
- Podiatrists,
- Nurses,
- Pharmacists,
- Hospitals,
- Clinics, and
- Laboratories.
If you have experienced an injury from a medical mistake, you should contact a Columbia medical malpractice lawyer.
Do I Need a Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
Determining whether you have a viable medical malpractice case depends on whether you can prove that your treating medical provider was negligent. To prove negligence, prove that the medical provider failed to provide the same level of care that a reasonably competent medical provider would have provided in a similar situation.
While it’s not a legal requirement to hire a lawyer, it’s highly recommended. Lawyers can access resources that help support your case, including expert witnesses, medical professionals, and investigators. They can calculate the value of your case, and they know how to negotiate with insurance companies. If the insurance company is not acting reasonably, your lawyer can take your case to trial. In short, a good lawyer gives you the very best chance of receiving fair compensation for your losses.
Furthermore, the complex nature of medical malpractice cases and the extensive legal requirements make them difficult to navigate. For example, in Maryland, you typically have three years from the date you discovered the alleged malpractice to file a lawsuit. But there are many exceptions to the statute of limitations, and there are other time limits to consider. A lawyer has the legal expertise and experience to ensure that you never miss a deadline that could result in the judge dismissing your case.
Best of all, hiring a lawyer can take the stress of dealing with your legal burdens off of you.
To prove a case of medical malpractice, an injured party (the plaintiff) must show:
- A legal duty of care on the part of the healthcare provider,
- A breach of that duty of care,
- An injury to the plaintiff, and
- That the breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injury.
Additionally, there are certain procedural requirements when filing a malpractice lawsuit in Maryland.
Therefore, it is important to contact a medical malpractice lawyer in Columbia, MD to ensure that your claim is filed properly and on time.
Medical malpractice cases can involve:
- Birth injury. Examples of birth injury cases due to medical malpractice include improper use of forceps and/or a vacuum extractor, failing to properly monitor a baby before and/or during birth, delaying an emergency C-section, and applying excessive traction when encountering shoulder dystocia.
- Surgical errors. Examples of surgical malpractice include anesthesia errors, infections, leaving surgical equipment within a patient, operating on the wrong patient or body part, and numerous other mistakes.
- Misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis can result from a failure to refer a patient to a specialist, misinterpretation of test results, and/or failure to order certain tests.
- Medication mistakes. Examples of medication mistakes include giving the patient the wrong medication, giving the wrong dose, giving medication at the wrong time, giving a medication to the wrong patient, and giving the patient a dangerous medication when combined with other medications.
At Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico, we also handle cases involving:
- ER negligence,
- Cerebral palsy,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Brain injury,
- Wrongful death, and
- Amputation.
If you suspect you have a medical malpractice case, do not delay—Maryland has laws that limit the amount of time you have to file a medical malpractice claim.
These laws are called a statute of limitations. Therefore, it is important to reach out to a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.
How to Find a Malpractice Lawyer
How to find a malpractice lawyer? The first step in finding a malpractice lawyer in Columbia, Maryland, is to ask for referrals from family members, friends, or colleagues who may have had similar experiences. Word-of-mouth recommendations can be an excellent starting point in finding a reliable lawyer with a good track record.
Another option is to check online directories. Directories such as Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and FindLaw can provide a list of lawyers in Columbia, Maryland, who handle medical malpractice cases. These directories provide information like the lawyer’s contact information, experience, education, and client reviews.
Finding the right medical malpractice lawyer requires research, due diligence, and careful consideration of various factors. You can find a lawyer who can provide the legal representation you need by considering a lawyer’s experience, reputation, communication skills, and fees.
How to Choose a Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Choosing the right medical malpractice lawyer is a crucial decision that can impact the outcome of your case.
Check the Bar Association
It’s important that the lawyer you choose is licensed to practice in Maryland and has a good reputation. You can verify a lawyer’s credentials by checking the Maryland State Bar Association’s website. Also, check if the lawyer is a member of professional organizations such as the American Association for Justice or the National Trial Lawyers.
Experience Matters
Once you’ve identified a few potential lawyers, it’s essential to research their experience in medical malpractice cases. Look for a lawyer who has handled similar cases to yours and has a good success rate. We can find this information on the lawyer’s website or through a simple online search.
Schedule a Consultation
Before hiring a malpractice lawyer, it’s crucial to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. During the consultation, the lawyer will review your case and provide their opinion on the best course of action. This meeting also provides an opportunity to ask questions, such as the lawyer’s fee structure and their availability to handle your case. With that said, choose a lawyer who is transparent about the fees and offers a fee structure that is fair.
Communication is also an essential part of their representation. Choose a lawyer who communicates effectively and responds to your questions and concerns. A good lawyer should keep you informed about the progress of your case and explain the legal process in a way that is easy to understand.
Trust
Lastly, choosing a lawyer you feel comfortable working with and trust is vital. A medical malpractice case can be a long and complex process, and having a lawyer you feel comfortable talking to can make the process more manageable.
How Much Does a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Cost?
How much does a medical malpractice lawyer cost? Once you’ve identified a few potential lawyers, you are probably curious about how much they will charge. You may be relieved to learn that most medical malpractice lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they don’t charge any upfront fees. Instead, they take a percentage of your compensation if they win the case for you. The percentage can vary from lawyer to lawyer, but it’s 33% to 40% of the compensation awarded. However, you pay no upfront costs for your legal services.
It’s important to note that your lawyer will also cover other expenses associated with the case, such as court fees, expert witness fees, and other expenses. This way, you pay nothing until your attorney recovers money for you. When the case is over, the attorney deducts their percentage and any fees they covered for you from the settlement or jury award.
Discussing the fee structure and any additional expenses incurred, such as expert witness fees, during the consultation will also give you an idea about what to expect at the end of a case.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Columbia
Various lawyers at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico have been recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Best Attorneys in America, Maryland Super Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, The National Trial Lawyers (Top 25 medical malpractice attorneys) and many other organizations.
The lawyers at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico, have extensive trial experience, a sophisticated legal team, and a long-standing relationship in the medical malpractice community. For decades, our Columbia malpractice lawyer has secured settlements in the hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
We are the premier Columbia medical malpractice lawyers with the trial-tested expertise and results-driven mindset to take on the complexities of your case. Contact our Columbia office online or by phone at 410-421-7777.