Maryland Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Do you believe that a medical professional’s substandard care has harmed you or a loved one? If so, you may have a medical malpractice case that you should discuss with an attorney as soon as possible. These cases can be highly complex. A knowledgeable lawyer will know how to investigate what happened to you, determine if your harm is the product of malpractice, and pursue a settlement that provides you with the compensation you need for your ongoing care and future comfort.

At The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates, we have the experience and resources to handle even the most complex medical malpractice cases. Founder Michael Wilson is a licensed physician and attorney whose background gives him a unique perspective when it comes to analyzing medical malpractice cases.

Find out how The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates can help you. For a free consultation with a Maryland medical malpractice lawyer, call or reach us online today.

How Common Is Medical Malpractice?

A recent report from Harvard Medical Institutions underscores the serious issue of medical malpractice in Maryland and throughout the country. According to the report, the majority (73 percent) of medical malpractice cases over a recent 10-year span stemmed from surgical treatment, medical treatment, and the diagnosis process. Among surgical cases, the leading medical malpractice injuries were perforations and lacerations (17 percent). The leading procedures leading to malpractice claims were orthopedic (28 percent) and gastrointestinal (17 percent).

What Are Common Scenarios that Lead to Medical Malpractice?

We focus on protecting patients and families in Maryland who have been harmed by medical malpractice. Because of that focus, The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates understands the common scenarios that lead to malpractice claims in Maryland and elsewhere. Those scenarios include:

• Understaffing — Many hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices are severely understaffed. Short-handed providers are more likely to make poor-quality treatment decisions that put patients’ health at risk.
• Knowledge gaps — Without specific specialized knowledge, even highly educated doctors might overlook symptoms or overestimate their abilities. The missed or delayed diagnosis of cancer often results from such knowledge gaps.
• Burnout — Many healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and assistants, work long hours. They can easily get burned out. As a result, they are likely to suffer from impaired work performance and increased risk of medical errors.
• Poor communication — Many medical errors stem from poor communication between doctors, nurses, other health care staff. They can also occur when breakdowns in communication occur between providers and patients.
• Inadequate record-keeping — Proper record-keeping is essential in medicine. The failure to keep proper records can harm patients when, for instance, it leads to a misdiagnosis, unnecessary medical procedure, or mistake in medication.

How Is Medical Malpractice Legally Defined?

All medical malpractice cases stem from a provider’s failure to meet the appropriate standard of care in treating a patient. A standard of care is the level of care and caution necessary in a particular scenario. Different standards apply based on the circumstances.

Most people, in most situations, are held to a “reasonable person” standard of care. Under this standard, a person must exercise the same level of care and caution that an ordinary, reasonable person would exercise in the same or similar circumstances. A professional standard of care, however, applies to doctors. They are expected to follow the same established medical practices that other competent doctors with similar training and experience would follow.

To win a medical malpractice case, a plaintiff must prove that their provider failed to meet this professional standard of care. Under Maryland law, a plaintiff cannot hold a healthcare provider liable for medical malpractice unless they establish that the medical professional failed to provide care “in accordance with the standards of practice” among other medical professionals with “similar training and experience.”

What Compensation Can I Recover?

When you file a successful medical malpractice lawsuit, the money you recover serves the purpose of compensating you for the injuries and losses you have suffered due to the malpractice. You could receive compensation for the following:

• Current medical bills for treatment of your preventable malpractice injuries
• Costs of future medical care for your malpractice injuries
• Lost wages if you are out of work due to your injuries
• Projected losses in your earning capacity due to malpractice-related disability
• Non-economic harm such as pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life.

However, Maryland law places a cap on the amount of compensation you can pursue for pain and suffering in a medical malpractice case. The cap increases by $15,000 annually. It will be important for you to consult with an attorney to determine how much compensation you could seek for pain and suffering.

What Are the Deadlines Governing Medical Malpractice Claims in Maryland?

In addition to the legal cap on pain and suffering compensation, Maryland law limits the time you have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. The limit is called the Maryland medical malpractice statute of limitations. If you have a medical malpractice case, you must sue within five years after the malpractice incident occurred or within three years of the date when you discovered the injury. If you miss the statutory deadline for filing a lawsuit, you could lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries and losses.

Why Is It Important to Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer?

If you know or suspect you have a medical malpractice claim in Maryland, you should hire a medical malpractice lawyer as soon as possible. When you work with an attorney from The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates, we can:

• Communicate with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf.
• Handle all the paperwork and filing requirements.
• Estimate a fair value for your case.
• Help you avoid mistakes that could cost you money.
• Use experts and resources to support your case.
• Negotiate the best settlement possible on your behalf.
• Represent you in court if your case goes to trial.

Contact Our Maryland Medical Malpractice Lawyers

If you were injured due to a medical professional’s substandard care, you could be entitled to compensation for the harm you have suffered. If you have questions or wish to speak to a lawyer about your case, contact the Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson, M.D., J.D. & Associates today. We can discuss your options during a free and confidential consultation.