Milford Mill, MD Medical Malpractice Attorneys

Lawyers for Injuries to Patients Because of Doctor and Medical Provider Negligence in Milford Mill, Maryland

When you place your health and well-being in the hands of a doctor, hospital, or other medical provider, you trust that they will take the time to consider your medical issues and provide treatment that is safe and effective. Most of the time, patients can rely on their doctors to provide the expected level of care. However, there are some situations where healthcare providers may make preventable mistakes. In these cases, the consequences for a patient can be devastating. Medical negligence can lead to serious injuries, prolonged illnesses, permanent disabilities, or even death.

At Silverman Thompson, our attorneys represent people in Milford Mill who have been harmed because of the negligence of medical professionals. We understand the complex issues that will need to be addressed when filing a medical malpractice claim, but we also know the ways victims and their families may be personally affected by these issues. We are dedicated to standing by the side of injured patients and helping them hold negligent providers accountable.

Misdiagnosis

A misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor or other healthcare provider fails to identify a patient's condition correctly. This is one of the most common forms of medical malpractice, and it can also be one of the most dangerous. An incorrect diagnosis can send a person's entire course of treatment in the wrong direction. A patient with cancer that is not recognized, a heart attack that is misdiagnosed as anxiety, or a stroke that is misdiagnosed as a migraine may not receive treatment that could save their life.

The Role of Radiology Errors in Misdiagnoses

Radiology plays a critical role in modern medicine. Imaging studies such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds may be used to detect tumors, fractures, internal bleeding, organ damage, pulmonary embolisms, and other serious conditions. When a radiologist misreads an image or does not communicate their findings clearly to a doctor, the consequences for a patient can be severe.

When a radiology error leads to a missed or incorrect diagnosis, both the radiologist and the treating physician may bear responsibility, depending on the circumstances. Our attorneys can evaluate the procedures followed during diagnosis and treatment to identify all forms of negligence that led to a patient's injury.

Laboratory Test Errors and Diagnostic Failures

Laboratory testing is another cornerstone of the diagnostic process. Blood tests, biopsies, urinalysis, and other lab tests can help doctors understand what is happening inside a patient's body. When lab results are wrong, a doctor may not be able to make a correct diagnosis.

Lab errors can occur at multiple points in the process. A specimen may be mislabeled, mixed up with another patient's sample, or stored improperly. Technicians may fail to follow the right procedures during tests, or equipment may be improperly calibrated. Results may be reported inaccurately.

Surgical Malpractice

Surgery involves risks, and medical providers will need to take steps to protect patients against issues that could cause them to suffer harm. Surgical errors may occur when a surgical team is preparing a patient for surgery, performing a procedure, managing anesthesia, or providing post-operative care.

Errors During Surgery

Mistakes that occur during a surgical procedure can take many forms, and they can cause serious harm to a patient. Some of the most serious errors involve wrong-site surgeries, in which a surgeon operates on the wrong body part, the wrong side of the body, or the wrong level of the spine. Other errors may include causing damage to tissues, organs, nerves, or blood vessels or leaving foreign objects like surgical sponges or instruments inside a patient's body.

Anesthesia Errors

Some of the most dangerous forms of surgical malpractice are related to anesthesia. Anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists will need to administer the right type and dose of anesthetic, monitor a patient's vital signs, and respond quickly to any complications that arise. Anesthesia errors can have catastrophic consequences, including administering too much anesthesia, which may cause brain damage, cardiac arrest, or death.

Post-Operative Care Failures

The period following surgery is critical. Patients may be at risk of complications during their recovery. Medical providers will need to monitor patients closely, identify potential issues, and act quickly to protect a person's health. Post-operative malpractice may include a failure to watch for and respond to signs of infections, internal bleeding, or blood clots. Patients may also suffer harm because of premature discharge from a medical facility.

Medication Errors

In hospitals, emergency rooms, and outpatient facilities, patients may suffer harm because of mistakes related to prescription drugs or other medications. Medication errors can occur when prescribing, dispensing, or administering a drug, and the consequences can range from adverse reactions, harmful side effects, or complications that may lead to permanent injuries or death.

A prescribing error may occur when a doctor or other medical professional orders a medication that is inappropriate for a patient's condition, prescribes the wrong dosage, or fails to account for drug interactions, allergies, or other potential concerns. Dispensing errors may occur when pharmacists fill a prescription with the wrong drug, the wrong dose, or the wrong formulation.

In hospitals or other medical facilities, nurses will often administer medications to patients. They may make errors such as giving a patient the wrong medication, administering a drug at the wrong time or via the wrong route, or failing to monitor a patient for adverse reactions.

Other Types of Medical Malpractice

Medical negligence can affect patients in many other situations. Our attorneys can assist with cases involving issues such as:

• Birth Injuries: Negligent care during labor and delivery can cause serious harm to both a mother and a child. Brachial plexus injuries or cerebral palsy resulting from oxygen deprivation are common injuries that can occur during childbirth.
• Emergency Room Errors: Emergency departments may fail to triage patients correctly, or providers may fail to diagnose conditions like heart attacks or strokes.
• Nursing Home Negligence: Residents of long-term care facilities should receive the necessary care and assistance, and a facility should take the proper steps to protect their health and safety. Issues such as abuse and neglect may lead to falls, bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, medication errors, or other forms of harm.
• Informed Consent Failures: Before performing a procedure or initiating a course of treatment, medical providers are legally required to inform patients of the risks involved, the other options that may be available, and anything else that could affect their health. Doctors are required to obtain consent, but if they do not disclose known risks or do not ensure that a patient is fully informed, they may be held liable for injuries that occur.

Contact Our Milford Mill Medical Malpractice Lawyers

When the negligence of a doctor, surgeon, hospital, or other healthcare provider has led to injuries, the team at Silverman Thompson can help a victim address the harm they have suffered and take steps to recover financial compensation. We can investigate a case, identify negligence that occurred, and take steps to hold negligent medical providers responsible for a victim's damages. Contact our Milford Mill, MD medical negligence attorneys at 410-385-2225 to schedule a free consultation.