It is always wise to do as much research as possible when seeking medical care and choosing health care providers, and the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is a useful resource. Residents of Maryland will be happy to know that 26 of the 42 hospitals in the state earned an A or B grade, earning high marks for error prevention and patient safety. For those received C or lower grades, there were concerns about infections and communication issues among staff.
The Leapfrog report on patient safety also revealed a disturbing prevalence of surgical errors and other problems with surgery. These incidents do not always lead to patient harm, but they can cause considerable losses when they do. Maryland personal injury laws cover these situations, so you should discuss your rights with a Baltimore County medical malpractice attorney. Some background information is also useful.
Common Problems with Surgery
The good news is that one of the most fear-inducing issues, leaving a foreign object inside a patient, is thankfully a rare occurrence. However, lower performing hospitals and health care facilities may have problems with:
- The wound at the surgical site splits open, which is extremely painful and increases the potential for serious infection.
- The patient experiences blood leakage because of damage to blood vessels, leading to internal bleeding or clots.
- A surgeon accidentally cuts into an adjacent organ or tears tissues while using surgical instruments.
- The patient dies during a procedure or in post-operative care, such as from heart attack or pneumonia, which are treatable with proper monitoring.
- Sepsis, which is the human body’s extreme reaction to an infection and can be life-threatening if not properly treated promptly.
- Kidney problems may arise after a major surgery, potentially leading to kidney failure and need for dialysis.
Liability in Maryland Medical Malpractice Claims
To recover compensation for a surgical error, you must prove that the health care provider delivered treatment that deviates from the relevant medical standard of care. The assessment starts with what a hypothetical doctor in the same field, with similar training and skills would have done under the circumstances. This is the standard of care and, if your physician deviated from it, you might have grounds for a med mal claim.
In addition, keep in mind that a hospital, clinic, or related facility could be considered a health care provider subject to a duty of care. When problems with surgery are linked to policies, safety protocol, or enterprise-wide failures, the facility could be held liable.
Contact a Baltimore County, MD Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
The consequences of surgical errors and other problems with surgery can be life-changing, so it is essential to pursue all available legal remedies. However, medical malpractice cases are more complicated than other personal injury cases. You put your rights at risk unless you have skilled representation, so please contact attorney Michael A. Freedman to discuss your options. You can schedule a free consultation at our offices in Owings Mills or Glen Burnie by calling 410.363.6848 or going online.
