When patients enter a hospital for surgery, they trust that the physicians and staff will follow accepted medical standards to ensure their safety. A recent Baltimore County jury verdict serves as a reminder that hospitals can be held accountable when preventable medical errors lead to a patient’s death. If you or someone you love suffered harm because of medical negligence, you may be owed damages, and you should talk to a Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible.
Case Background
It is reported that the decedent, a 77-year-old woman, underwent surgery at a Maryland hospital to treat early-stage rectal cancer. During the operation, the patient allegedly suffered massive internal bleeding and died on the operating table. According to the plaintiff, who was the patient’s daughter, the hospital and its surgical staff failed to anticipate and respond appropriately to the bleeding that occurred during the procedure.
It is alleged that the colorectal surgeon breached the standard of care by failing to plan for a foreseeable complication and not following all of the recognized steps that could have stopped the hemorrhage. The plaintiff’s attorney argued that the hospital also failed to have adequate equipment on hand and did not maintain sufficient safety measures to manage the emergency. The family maintained that if the correct procedures had been followed, the decedent would likely have survived and enjoyed additional years of life.
After a four-day trial before the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, the jury deliberated for approximately four hours before returning a verdict against the hospital in the amount of $1.2 million. The verdict was reduced to $875,000 under Maryland’s statutory cap on noneconomic damages. The court presiding over the trial was the Honorable Colleen Cavanaugh. The hospital, represented by counsel, indicated that it was reviewing its options for appeal.
Proving Liability in Maryland Medical Malpractice Cases
The outcome in this case reflects the critical legal framework that governs malpractice claims in Maryland. To hold a healthcare provider or hospital liable, a plaintiff must prove four essential elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
First, the plaintiff must show that the provider owed a duty of care to the patient. In this case, the duty arose from the hospital’s and surgeon’s obligation to perform the procedure according to accepted surgical standards. Because hospitals are responsible for ensuring their facilities are properly equipped and their staff adequately trained, that duty extends beyond the individual surgeon to the institution itself.
Second, the plaintiff must demonstrate a breach of the applicable standard of care. In this case, the evidence presented at trial suggested that the surgical team failed to anticipate the possibility of significant intraoperative bleeding despite the patient’s known surgical risks. Testimony also indicated that the hospital lacked the necessary tools and preparation to respond promptly once the bleeding occurred. This alleged failure to prepare and respond was central to the jury’s finding that the hospital breached its duty of care.
Third, the plaintiff must establish that the breach directly caused the patient’s injury or death. Expert testimony in this case likely focused on the medical steps that should have been taken once bleeding began. The plaintiff’s attorney emphasized that while the surgeon performed some interventions, not all of the recognized methods for controlling hemorrhage were used. The jury’s verdict indicates that it accepted the argument that the failure to employ those steps proximately caused the patient’s death.
Finally, the plaintiff must prove damages. Here, the jury awarded $1.2 million for the loss of life, acknowledging that even though the decedent was elderly, she still had meaningful years remaining. After applying Maryland’s statutory cap on noneconomic damages, the final judgment totaled $875,000. This demonstrates how Maryland courts balance compensation with the legislative limits imposed on non-economic recovery.
Talk to a Skilled Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to medical negligence, the skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys at Arfaa Law Group can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Our firm has extensive experience representing victims of medical malpractice throughout Maryland. Call us today at (410) 889-1850 or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation. We represent clients across Baltimore, Towson, and the surrounding communities.