Earlier this month, a family in Pennsylvania received a $6 million verdict after a medical malpractice case alleging negligence on the part of doctors who treated their daughter. According to one local news report, the two-year-old girl was treated in Harrisburg Hospital in Luzerne County for stomach issues.
Evidently, the girl was admitted to the hospital with stomach issues and
was discharged shortly after admission with no further treatment suggested.
However, a few months after her discharge, the girl died from sepsis caused
by a ruptured stomach.
The parents, through their attorneys, claimed that the doctors at the hospital
where their daughter was treated should have done more prior to releasing
her. They also claim that the doctors missed tell-tale signs of stomach
disease that they should have caught and, had they caught them, their
daughter would likely be alive today.
The defendants claimed that there was no medical error involved and that
the case was “one in a million.” They claim that, given the
unique circumstances presented, the doctors all acted appropriately and
provided the proper level of care to the young girl.
Medical Malpractice Cases in Maryland
While the case discussed above took place in nearby Pennsylvania, Maryland
law also allows for the victims of
medical malpractice to recover for their injuries. In cases when the alleged malpractice results
in the death of a loved one, family members may bring a wrongful death
suit against those allegedly responsible for their loved one’s death.
In either case, the plaintiff must prove to the court that the defendant
or defendants were negligent in some way and that their negligence caused
the injuries complained of.
Proving a medical malpractice case in Maryland requires strict adherence to the procedural rules as well. For example, in Maryland a certificate of merit must be provided to the court within a certain amount of time after filing the lawsuit. A certificate of merit is essentially a letter of support from a qualified expert in the specific field of medicine that the defendant practices in. If this requirement is not met, or if it is submitted too late, the case may be dismissed, and a victim may lose their opportunity to recover damages.
Have You Been Injured in a Medical Malpractice Situation?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in a medical malpractice
incident, you may be entitled to monetary damages based on the negligence
of the attending physician, nurse, or hospital staff. However, keep in
mind that these parties are often represented by dedicated defense counsel
who are experienced in shifting blame away from their clients. To learn
more about Maryland medical malpractice cases, and to speak to a dedicated
medical malpractice attorney, call one of the skilled advocates at the
Maryland personal injury law firm of Wais, Vogelstein, Forman & Offutt
at (410) 567-0800 to set up a consultation. Meeting with an attorney is
free, and there is no obligation.