Five Ways To Protect Your Rights In A Maryland Medical Malpractice Claim

You place immense trust in your doctor and other healthcare professionals, but medical mistakes in Maryland are far too common and can have life-altering consequences. Medical malpractice occurs when a provider’s negligence causes harm to their patient, and it is more prevalent than many realize. While it is impossible to eliminate all risks, our Maryland medical malpractice attorneys explain five ways to protect and ensure you are equipped to take action if medical mistakes occur.

Common Causes Of Medical Malpractice In Maryland

Medical malpractice poses a nationwide public health threat. According to a ground-breaking study from Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is the third-leading cause of death in the United States and is responsible for claiming an estimated 250,000 lives annually. Meanwhile, thousands of other victims suffer potentially devastating injuries as a result of medical provider negligence.

Negligence means your providers either took unnecessary risks, engaged in reckless behavior, or failed to take precautions considered reasonable by other professionals in the medical community. Common causes of medical malpractice in Maryland include:

• Missed and delayed treatment;
• Not obtaining informed consent before performing procedures;
• Medical errors, such as incorrect dosing and failure to monitor for reactions;
• Surgical mistakes, such as wrong-site surgery and leaving surgical tools inside the patient;
• Birth injuries, which can cause potentially life-threatening harm;
• Healthcare-associated infections, due to failure to control the spread of bacteria or viruses or otherwise maintain sterile surfaces.

Your Rights In A Medical Malpractice Claim

Under Maryland law, patients have the right to hold their doctors and other healthcare providers accountable for injuries they suffer due to medical mistakes and errors. To protect your rights in a Maryland malpractice claim, follow these steps:

1. Seek a second opinion immediately if you doubt your doctor’s diagnosis or suspect your provider of engaging in reckless behavior that puts you at risk;
2. Keep detailed records and statements from all medical visits, treatments, test results, and communications with healthcare providers;
3. If a medical mistake happens and you are contacted by insurers or the provider’s legal team, avoid making any statements or accepting any immediate low-ball offers;
4. To protect your rights and get the maximum amount you need to recover, contact our Maryland medical malpractice lawyer.

Schedule A Consultation Today With Our Maryland Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Medical malpractice in Maryland can have devastating consequences for victims and their families. If you or someone you love is hurt due to a medical provider’s negligence, Berman | Sobin | Gross LLP provides the fierce legal representation you need to file a claim. We fight to get you the maximum amount you are entitled for medical costs, lost wages, and other losses. Contact our office and schedule a consultation today with our Maryland medical malpractice attorneys.

Sources:

hub.jhu.edu/2016/05/03/medical-errors-third-leading-cause-of-death/

mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/laws/StatuteText?article=gcj&section=3-2A-01&enactments=false