When you go to the doctor, whether for a general checkup, treatment for an illness, or more specialized care for an injury or condition, you expect to leave in better health than when you arrived. Most times, that’s the case. However, medical professionals can still make errors that can lead to a worsened illness or new injuries. A 2022 Maryland Department of Health report stated that an estimated 832 medical errors or “adverse events” occurred in hospitals throughout the state.
While this is a concerning statistic, you have options to fight for your rights if you or one of your loved ones suffers due to a medical error. In order to put yourself in the best position possible, you want someone who will fight on your behalf, who understands what happened to you, and who knows Maryland laws. At GDH Law, we’re ready and waiting to help you seek justice for the negligence that caused your injury or illness. Don’t hesitate to reach out to discuss your case with a Clinton medical malpractice lawyer to understand the next steps you should take.
Common Forms of Medical Negligence in Prince George’s County
Medical negligence can lead to a malpractice suit if another healthcare professional in a similar situation wouldn’t have made the same mistake. There are many different types of medical malpractice, but the most common examples are:
- Failure to secure a patient’s informed consent
- Surgical error
- Misdiagnosis
- Medication error
- Birth injury
- Anesthesia error
- Failure to warn a patient of known risks involved with a medical treatment or procedure
- Failure to treat
Even if you’re unsure which category your claim may fall under, or if none of these mentioned sounds like what happened to you, you should still seek legal counsel for your case. A qualified medical malpractice attorney in Clinton will take all of the information about your case and review it thoroughly to see if you have a pursuable claim and, if so, advise you on what your next steps may be.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Medical Malpractice Claim in Maryland?
When you’re faced with the aftermath of a botched medical procedure or other form of medical negligence, the process of starting a claim against those responsible can be difficult. It’s best to file your claim as soon as you can before the statute of limitations, or legally allowed time limit for your claim, runs out. The statute of limitations for medical negligence in Maryland is:
- five years from the date the malpractice occurred
- three years from the date the malpractice was discovered
Some exceptions to this are if the injured victim was younger than 11 at the time the incident occurred, the statute of limitations doesn’t begin until they reach the age of 11. In the case of malpractice that injured the victim’s reproductive system or if foreign objects (such as medical tools) were left inside the patient’s body, the statute of limitations begins when a victim turns 16.
If you believe you have a malpractice case but are unsure how to proceed, contact a Clinton medical malpractice lawyer in our office. Our legal team at GDH Law will ensure your claim is filed accurately and on time so that you can receive the compensation owed to you for your injuries.
Potential Damages in Malpractice Cases
Although every case is different, and there’s no way to know beforehand how much compensation you may receive for your claim, settlements for medical negligence or malpractice cases are known to be very high.
For some victims of malpractice, their injuries may be temporary, but often, when a doctor makes a mistake, the patient suffers for the rest of their life. Some of the common medical malpractice claim damages our office sees in Clinton are:
- Medical bills
- Medications
- Ambulance trips
- Additional surgeries
- Physical therapy
- Long-term medical care
- Mental trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional distress
In addition to compensation for economic loss tied to your medical malpractice claim, you may also be able to seek damages related to non-economic compensation, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning potential or the ability to work
- Physical disfigurement or impairment
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of or the ability to participate in activities
As mentioned previously, there is no way to know how much compensation you may be awarded until a settlement is reached, but it’s important to note that in the State of Maryland, non-economic damages cannot exceed $875,000.
Your lawyer will work with you to compile everything you can claim as damages and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
Why You Should Speak With a Clinton Medical Malpractice Lawyer
While hiring an attorney for your medical malpractice case isn’t required, it’s in your best interest to do so.
Your lawyer will understand the laws, filing deadlines, and the court system best and will be able to do most of the heavy lifting for your case so that you can focus on recovery. When you hire a Clinton medical malpractice lawyer from our office, they will:
- Collect all paperwork and information so that we can prepare your case thoroughly
- Read your medical reports and doctor’s notes to understand how and when your injury occurred
- Interview everyone involved in your case (doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, physical therapists, pharmacists, etc.)
- Bring in experts to prove the medical error was preventable
- Explain to the judge or jury the struggles you are now facing due to the doctor’s negligence
- Calculate and fight for a fair and complete settlement to cover all of your damages
If you or someone you love has been harmed due to the negligence of a medical professional in a medical facility in Clinton or anywhere else in Maryland, you have legal recourses available to you.
Medical malpractice cases are generally complex in nature and often take a lot of time and energy, but rest assured that our lawyers at GDH Law have the resources, skills, and experience to handle your case. Get in touch with our office today for a free, no-obligation consultation or give us a call to discuss your situation with a member of our firm. We can help you determine the best course of action for holding those responsible for your suffering accountable.
The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start fighting for the compensation you deserve.
