Earlier this month in Minnesota, a former auto mechanic who filed a medical malpractice action against a treating physician received a jury verdict in his favor, awarding him over $9 million in damages. According to one local news source reporting on the case, the man sued his anesthesiologist after he sustained spinal cord damage and subsequent paralysis after a 2012 surgery.
Evidently, the man went to the doctor with flu-like symptoms. While attempting to determine what the cause of the symptoms was, doctors discovered that the man was dangerously dehydrated. He was treated for the dehydration. It was ultimately determined that the man had suffered from a perforated bowel and would need to undergo surgery to repair the bowel. However, according to the court’s written opinion, the doctors failed to continue treatment for dehydration as he was started on the anesthesia in preparation for the surgery.
As a result of the dehydration, the man’s blood pressure dropped, resulting in his spinal cord receiving inadequate blood flow. The final result was that the man permanently lost the use of his legs. He filed suit against the treating physicians and recently recovered a sizable $9.1 million award.
Medical Malpractice Actions in Maryland
Medical negligence, or medical malpractice as it is more commonly called, is when a physician’s treatment of a patient fails to meet the recognized standards of the industry, and the patient is injured as a result. Medical malpractice cases are complex and require that various procedural rules be met with precision, or the case can be dismissed, leaving a plaintiff without any means of recovery.
One such example of a procedural requirement in Maryland medical malpractice cases is the certificate of merit. Under Maryland law, any medical malpractice claim must be accompanied by a certificate of merit, filled out by a medical professional in the field covering the area of the alleged negligence. Without this certificate, a case will not be permitted to proceed to trial and, in some cases, may be dismissed with prejudice, meaning that the plaintiff will be forever barred from recovering for his or her injuries.
A skilled attorney can assist you in the preparation of your case, including obtaining the certificate of merit. To learn more about the numerous requirements of a Maryland medical malpractice lawsuit, contact a dedicated Maryland personal injury attorney.
Have You Been the Victim of a Physician’s Negligence?
If you or a loved one has recently been the victim of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for all that you have endured. However, it is crucial that all deadlines and procedural requirements are met. The skilled advocates at the Maryland-based medical malpractice law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have the experience and qualifications you need to feel comfortable leaving your case in their hands. With hundreds of successful cases under their belt and decades of experience, the lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen are recognized for their skill and effectiveness. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation with an attorney.
More Blog Posts:
Family Brings Suit Against Department of Transportation in Failure-to-Maintain Case, Maryland Accident Law Blog, September 15, 2015.
Marine Struck and Killed in Thurmont by Hit-and-Run Driver, Maryland Accident Law Blog, October 7, 2015.