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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can result in life-long cognitive impairment, vision or speech issues, stroke, coma, and/or death.
Examples of medical negligence which 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.
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.
Help for Medical Malpractice Victims
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 Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & 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 Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & Federico to discuss your case today.
Phil Federico is a partner at Baird Mandalas Brockstedt & 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.
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