Published by Arfaa Law Group
When we turn to health care professionals for help with our medical conditions, we expect to be in good hands. We trust that we will receive reliable care. Unfortunately, medical errors are extremely common in Maryland and throughout the country. If you or someone you know has been harmed due to a medical professional’s negligence, it is important to seek the help of a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney who can assess the merits of your case.
Earlier this month, USA Today reported that medical errors are the third-leading cause of deaths in the United States, behind heart disease and cancer. In fact, medical mistakes kill about 250,000 people a year. A well-known Johns Hopkins medical school professor conducted the study.
According to the Institute of Medicine study, medical negligence annually results in between 44,000 and 98,000 preventable deaths. In addition, the number of serious injuries caused by medical malpractice has been estimated to be in excess of one million per year throughout the country. It is important to note that death certificates in the U.S. do not denote if a person has died due to a medical error. Thus, the problem of medical malpractice-related deaths could be difficult to estimate.
Medical malpractice refers to negligence by a medical professional, such as a physician, nurse, therapist, or other member of a hospital staff or health care facility. Negligence occurs when a medical professional’s actions fail to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in harm to the patient. Negligence can also take place when a medical professional fails to act when there is a duty to do so. Not every bad outcome in medicine is the result of medical malpractice, which is why it is important to have an experienced lawyer assess the merits of your case.
If medical malpractice is established, the victim can potentially recover damages, such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, medication costs, pain and suffering, and more. Of course, eligibility for damages will vary in each case based on the particular circumstances of that case.
If medical negligence has caused the death of someone you love, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. Certain surviving family members, including spouses, children, parents, siblings, and financial dependents, can file wrongful death claims. In such cases, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation such as medical expenses prior to the death, funeral costs, burial expenses, loss of financial support, loss of care, loss of comfort, and more.
If you suspect that you or a family member has been a victim of medical malpractice, our skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys can help. At Arfaa Law Group, we understand this area of law, and you can rest assured that we have the experience and zeal to handle your case. We are committed to protecting our clients’ interests at every step of the way. To learn more, do not hesitate to call 410-889-1850 or contact us online.