Attorney Julia Arfaa
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Medical overtreatment is a scary reality in Maryland and throughout the US. If you or a family member has suffered harm because of medical overtreatment, you should reach out to a Baltimore medical negligence attorney as soon as you can. Sadly, overtreatment is very common and can lead to a variety of negative health consequences for a patient and we believe that you shouldn’t have to deal with these consequences on your own.

The Research

Medical schools and facilities need to try and challenge the culture of medical overtreatment, says Barnett Kramer, MD, MPH, and the director of the cancer prevention division at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda. The main issue recognized by a medical historian in the study is the insufficient training surrounding uncertainty in medical schools. In some cases, doctors must accept uncertainty because failing to do so leads to overusing tests and treatment. Another thing medical schools and doctors need to understand, according to the expert, is that it is okay to wait and see in some situations, and decisions do not have to be made right in that moment in every case.

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Medical malpractice is a massive problem in Maryland and across the US. When visiting a physician or other healthcare provider, you assume you will be receiving reliable care. If you or someone you know has been injured as a result of medical malpractice, it is vital to contact our Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys to schedule a free consultation. If we accept your case, we will stand by your side throughout the entire legal process, acting as your advocates against medical negligence.

The Study

A recent study published in BMJ sought to examine, among other things, whether patients who are admitted to American hospitals, which are accredited, have more positive results than individuals who are admitted to hospitals assessed by state surveys. The study observed a total of 4400 hospitals across the country, of which 3337 were accredited and 1063 went under state based review between 2014 and 2017. The main outcome measures were mortality and readmission rates. Researchers concluded that there was no evidence to suggest that patients choosing a hospital accredited by the Joint Commission, the largest and most well known accrediting body, provides any healthcare benefits over choosing a hospital accredited by another independent accrediting organization.

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Oftentimes, when a person sustains a medical injury, multiple parties are to blame. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a healthcare provider’s negligence, you need skilled legal counsel to review your case to identify any and all potentially responsible parties. Medical malpractice cases that have multiple defendants are not only incredibly complex; they require an enormous amount of paperwork so having an experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorney is vital to your case.

Medical Malpractice

In order to understand the concept of joint and several liability, you must first understand the basics of medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is defined as any act or omission by a physician or other healthcare provider that departs from the generally accepted standards of practice in the medical community and is the direct cause of injury or death to a patient. As a practical matter, medical malpractice claims are civil claims that are filed against healthcare providers whose negligence caused harm to a patient.

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If you or someone close to you has suffered an injury due to a surgical error, our Baltimore surgery malpractice lawyers will provide effective and experienced legal representation to you every step of the way. We strive to hold negligent medical providers accountable for their errors and misconduct. We know that dealing with a medical injury can be daunting and it can be hard to know what to do next. We strongly believe that the best thing to do is to get advice from a lawyer who can help you figure out how to proceed.

D.K., a woman from Iowa, is suing her physician after he supposedly took out her kidney when he was supposed to remove her adrenal gland during a surgical procedure in 2016. The adrenal glands are endocrine glands that produce a variety of hormones including adrenaline and cortisol. They are found above the kidneys. D.K.’s lawsuit claims that the doctor mistakenly took out her functioning right kidney as opposed to the adrenal gland and a mass that had formed on top of it. She says she was not told until seven days after the surgery that the surgeon “did not get everything” and would have to undergo a second procedure. The second procedure was later conducted. D.K. now says she is suffering numerous adverse health consequences as a result.

Liability for Surgical Errors

While the aforementioned case is not a Maryland case, it is still relevant to people in every state, as botched surgeries routinely injure and kill patients across the country. Surgical mistakes can lead to debilitating conditions and, in the most serious cases, death. If you believe your harm was the result of the result of a surgeon’s error or misconduct, you may be able to recover compensation through a medical malpractice claim. Medical malpractice, in the context of surgery errors, occurs when a surgeon’s conduct falls below the accepted standards of care as compared to a reasonably competent surgeon performing the same surgery thereby causing injury or death to the patient.

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Medication errors can lead to serious harm, even death. If you have been injured by a medication error caused by a pharmacist’s negligence, you may have legal options. We routinely handle medical malpractice cases involving medication or prescription errors. You can take comfort in knowing that our skillful Baltimore medication error attorneys can assist you in every step of the legal process, from completing the necessary paperwork to negotiations and even in the courtroom.

Dispensing errors at the pharmacy may account for approximately 21 percent of medication errors that affect patients, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. These mistakes may be more common than most patients think. The study analyzed 154,816 medication error reports between January 1, 1999 and December 21, 2001. Approximately two-thirds of the errors reported reached the patient, with relatively few causing harm. Death was reported in 19 occurrences. Mistakes related to omission and improper dose/quantity were the most commonly reported. One cause of these mistakes was a consistent performance deficit, plus failure to follow procedure and protocol.

Liability for Medication Errors

Getting the correct medication to the right patient in the correct dosage in a timely manner is vital to making sure patients do not suffer preventable medication injuries. Medication errors can take place in a variety of settings including in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and pharmacies.

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Sadly, medical malpractice causes countless injuries in Maryland and across the United States every year. If you or a person you love has been injured due to the negligence of a medical professional, you should consult a diligent Baltimore medical malpractice attorney who can help. Medical malpractice cases are incredibly complex but you can trust that we will help you obtain the answers you need following a medical mistake

Seven out of 10 doctors are not willing to recommend their chosen profession to their children or other family members, according to a nationwide Future of Healthcare Survey of over 3,400 doctors released by The Doctors Company. Respondents included primary care physicians, surgical specialists, inpatient medical specialists and diagnosticians.

Respondents cited electronic health records (EHRs) and value-based care as key reasons for their viewpoint. Specifically, fifty-four percent said they believe EHRs have negatively impacted the doctor-patient relationship, and 61 percent said they believe EHRs negative affect efficiency and productivity. In addition, 49 percent said they believe value0based care and reimbursed will negatively impact patient care.

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When a doctor, nurse or any other medical professional is negligent, the results can be devastating. If you have been injured or someone you know has died due to medical malpractice, you need the help of a seasoned Baltimore medical malpractice attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, we are committed to getting our clients the compensation they deserve for their harm. Time is of the essence in these cases so it is important to act as quickly as possible after your medical injury.

Doctors with burnout are twice as likely to prescribe the wrong medication and make the wrong diagnoses, according to a new large-scale study. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, examined 57 research papers that analyzed the responses of 43,000 doctors. The conclusion was that burnout has devastating effects on the quality of care that a patient receives. Burnout also makes doctors twice as likely to lower professional standards, such as not following set protocols and policies. For junior doctors, burnout increases the chances of lower professional standards by 3.5 times.

The study also revealed that patient satisfaction was significantly lower when doctors were physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted – key signs of burnout. The study confirms what has been known for a while: doctors work best when they are not overworked to the degree that they experience burnout. In other words, the well being of a doctor directly impacts patient care.

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Careless communication or miscommunication between medical professionals can lead to serious medical injuries. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a physician communication error, we urge you to contact a skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorney who can help. At Arfaa Law Group, we are ready to represent you and help you get the compensation you are rightfully owed for your harm.

While strong communication can help reduce incidents of malpractice in the first place, clear communication can also help after malpractice has occurred. According to a recent study published in the Journal of Patient Safety and Risk Management, apologizing to patients reduces hospital defense and liability costs. Essentially, when hospital staff and doctors are willing to explain, apologize and resolve negative medical events it may substantially decrease defense and liability exposure.

The study found that using Erlanger’s Communication and Resolution Program (CRP), which was initiated in January of 2009, led to a 66 percent reduction in legal claims filed; a 51 percent reduction in defense costs; and a 53 percent reduction in the time it took to close cases. No medical mistake took place in 65 percent of adverse events. When medical professionals explained errors to patients and their families using CRP protocol, 43 percent of cases were resolved by an apology alone, even though 60 percent of those clients had legal representation.

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Diagnostic errors can lead to severe, even deadly. injuries. If a medical professional’s late or missed diagnosis harmed you, you need to reach a seasoned Baltimore misdiagnosis attorney as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, we understand how difficult it can be to deal with medical malpractice, which is why we will handle your case with the utmost compassion. To maximize your chances of recovery, we personally prepare every case for trial.

An Ohio woman was recently awarded millions of dollars after suffering severe injuries due to malpractice. M.D., a retired speech pathologist visited Firelands Hospital in Sandusky, Ohio complaining that she was not feeling well. After undergoing several scans and tests, she was given steroids to treat a brain tumor. The only problem was that she did not have a brain tumor. She had an infection growing in her brain, which deteriorated after doctors gave her steroids. Specifically, the steroids led to the infection getting worse and spreading to other parts of the brain, leaving her nearly incapacitated.

The family sued two neurologists, alleging that if the negligence had not occurred, M.D. would have been a healthy woman who would have walked out of the hospital herself in 2013. Now, she can no longer use her legs and the cost of her care is extremely high. The jury agreed with the plaintiff and awarded over $7 million in damages.

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A misdiagnosis can have severe and long-term consequences for a patient. If you have been hurt because a medical professional misdiagnosed your condition, you may be able to seek compensation for your harm. At Arfaa Law Group, our diligent Baltimore misdiagnosis attorneys will evaluate the facts of your case and provide you with an honest assessment of your claim.

A Maryland appellate panel has affirmed the mid-trial dismissal of a lawsuit accusing a Johns Hopkins Hospital doctor of misdiagnosing a woman with lung cancer instead of the rare disease she firmly believed she had contracted, and settling a quarrel over when the three-year statute of limitations began to run.

The facts of the case are as follows. M.M., an Arizona resident, contracted Coccidioidomycosis (commonly known as “Cocci” or “Valley Fever”) – a disease caused by a fungus germane to the semi arid areas of the southwestern states. In 2008, M.M. believed she experienced symptoms consistent with a Cocci infection. That same year, she and her husband relocated to Maryland where she sought treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Her doctor there stated that he believed her symptoms were more likely due to lung cancer rather than Cocci. In fact, the doctor said there was a 90 percent chance that M.M. had lung cancer and stated the only way to treat it was to conduct a partial lung lobotomy. In 2009, a portion of M.M.’s lung was removed. It was later confirmed that M.M., in fact, did have a Cocci infection.

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