Close
Updated:

Diabetes and Medical Malpractice in Maryland

Diabetes is a condition that affects millions of people throughout the United States. The American Diabetes Association estimates that about 25 million Americans suffered from diabetes as of 2011. If it is not properly treated or left untreated, diabetes can be fatal. If your diabetes was negligently treated, causing your condition to worsen, you may have a medical malpractice claim against your health care provider. At Arfaa Law Group, our seasoned Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys can meticulously analyze the facts of your case and determine the viability of your claim.

Diabetes is a group of diseases in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to insulin is compromised, resulting in an abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and heightened levels of glucose (blood sugar) in the blood stream and urine. Put simply, diabetes affects how your body uses blood glucose. According to the Mayo Clinic, glucose is vital to your health because it is an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. In addition, glucose is the primary source of fuel for your brain.

The health consequences of inadequate diabetes treatment can be severe. Potential complications include kidney failure, blindness, stroke, renal failures, limb amputation, diabetic foot ulcers, and more. In some cases, pregnant women may suffer from gestational diabetes, which must also be managed properly to avoid detrimental health effects to both the mother and the fetus.

Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional causes harm to a patient by failing to use the accepted standard of care that another medical professional would have used in the same or similar circumstances. These cases are sometimes known as medical negligence cases. It is important to note that even when medical professionals fail to follow the accepted standard of care, the plaintiff must demonstrate that he or she suffered harm as a direct result of the medical professional’s failure to adhere to the accepted standard of care.

In Maryland, there are certain procedural rules governing medical malpractice claims. One of these requirements is that plaintiffs must provide a certificate of merit by a medical doctor that accompanies the claim. The certificate of merit from the doctor must include the following information:   the specific injury alleged, the alleged deviation from the standard of care, what the medical professional should have done to adhere to the standard of care, and how the medical professional’s deviation from the standard of care was a direct cause of the plaintiff’s injury.

Health care providers should provide competent care to each and every patient. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. If you believe you were injured due to your diabetes being mismanaged in some way, you may be entitled to compensation. At Arfaa Law Group, our skilled Baltimore medical negligence lawyers understand how to navigate these types of claims. Time is of the essence in these cases, so you should not delay in reaching out to an attorney. To learn more about your legal rights and options, do not hesitate to call us at 410-889-1850 or contact us online.

More Blog Posts:

Liposuction Malpractice in Maryland

Medical Malpractice Involving Broken Bones or Fractures

Contact Us