You may be alarmed by statistics that show that claim to say that doctors win medical malpractice cases at trial. These statistics only tell part of the story. Only some medical malpractice cases will ever see the inside of the courtroom. The truth is that many medical negligence claims will settle before they reach a trial. When you hire an experienced medical malpractice attorney for your case, you can be in a stronger legal position to get financial compensation and ensure that your doctor is held accountable. The stronger a case you build, the more likely you are to get a settlement on more favorable terms and avoid a trial.
The Snyder Law Group has been fighting for the rights of medical malpractice victims for over two decades. We know what it takes to go up against Maryland’s hospitals and doctors, no matter how vigorously they try to defend themselves. When you need a tough and experienced medical malpractice attorney on your side, we are here in your corner.
What Constitutes Medical Negligence in Maryland?
Any medical professional who is involved in your treatment owes you a duty of care because of the nature of their relationship with you. As a patient, you are relying on the medical professional to exercise the reasonable care that an ordinary person of their training would under the circumstances. While there is always a risk of an unfavorable result, you should never be put in danger by the actions of your doctor.
Medical negligence occurs when a healthcare professional does something that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances. The doctor may have made a mistake in something that they did or by not doing something when the circumstances called for it. For example, the failure to diagnose a condition is a common example of medical malpractice. In many cases, there were things that a doctor should have done to diagnose a condition sooner.
Other examples of medical malpractice may include:
- Surgical errors
- Prescribing an incorrect medication or an improper dosage
- Failing to prevent a post-operative infection
- Misdiagnosing a condition
- Failing to act quickly enough when there are high-risk factors or a patient is in medical distress
Expert witnesses would compare what the doctor did versus what a reasonable doctor should have done. They may review the medical records and treatment notes. They could also study the testimony that the doctor gave at their deposition. The expert witness would explain exactly how and why the doctor’s actions fell short of what they should have done and why it was malpractice. The defendant would have their own expert witnesses who reach a different conclusion.
What Are the Time Limits for Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim in Maryland
In any personal injury case, there are strict deadlines that govern how long you have to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. This deadline is called the statute of limitations, and it is very strict. You do not have any leeway or wiggle room. If you miss the deadline, you lose the legal right to sue. The law also wants to be fair to the doctor and hospital, allowing them to be on notice of a possible lawsuit for only a limited period of time.
Under Maryland law, you have five years from the date of the injury, or three years from the date that you discovered an injury, to file a medical malpractice. Maryland law sets that deadline to whichever of those two dates comes first in time. The law allows for the possibility that you may not discover that you were injured at the very first moment that it happened. If you miss this deadline, you will no longer have a legal case.
What Medical Negligence Compensation Can I Recover in a Lawsuit?
If your claim is successful, you can recover compensation for all of the losses that you incurred as a result of the medical malpractice. The law uses monetary damages to restore plaintiffs back to the position they were in prior to the harm they suffered.
You are entitled to two general types of damages in a medical malpractice case. Economic damages represent the actual financial costs of your injury. Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses to treat your injury
- Lost wages that represent what you could have earned at work
- The cost of prescriptions and medical equipment
You are also to be paid non-economic damages for the ordeal that you have gone through because of your injuries. Your injuries could impact your daily life in a number of ways, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Embarrassment and humiliation
In some cases, you may be able to get punitive damages when the doctor was grossly negligent or even reckless. Punitive damages can greatly increase the amount of your award. Maryland medical negligence settlements can be worth a considerable amount of money. Let us help you figure out how much you may be due in compensation.
Contact Our Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers Today
There is a reason why doctors and hospitals are afraid when they see our lawyers on the other side of the table. They know that there is someone who has the experience and toughness to make them pay for what they did. The Snyder Law Group has been winning cases for our clients since 2000, obtaining numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and awards. If you want instant credibility in your medical malpractice case, hire us to fight for you.
Your first step is to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case with one of our lawyers. We will learn more about what happened and go through your legal options. It is crucial that you begin the legal process today because medical malpractice cases require thorough evaluation and investigation. To speak with one of our lawyers, you can send us a message through our website, or you can call us today at 410-THE-FIRM. You owe us nothing unless you win your case.