Many people like to avoid hospitals, and for good reason. While hospitals are helpful to those who need to undergo surgeries, emergency care, or extensive treatment, many mistakes happen there. Infections occur and patients are neglected. Patients may be given the wrong diagnosis or suffer from surgical errors.
A hospital error can cause sicknesses, injuries, and death. If this has happened to you or a loved one, seek legal help from a Baltimore hospital error lawyer from Furman | Honick Law. These cases can be complex, so we’ll determine liability and get you full and fair compensation.
Our Baltimore office is available by appointment only.
Common Hospital Errors
A hospital error may have occurred, whether or not it is harmful to the patient. Errors are more likely to occur if the procedure is new, if the medical condition is severe, or if the patient is very young or very old. High error rates tend to occur in operating rooms, intensive care units, and emergency departments.
The most common hospital errors include:
- Adverse drug events: Some drugs don’t interact well with each other. Plus, a patient may be allergic to them or experience severe side effects.
- Many patients are not properly diagnosed: Sometimes doctors fail to perform thorough testing to find the correct cause of a patient’s symptoms.
- Undertreatment and overtreatment: Many patients suffer due to a lack of treatment. There are also patients who experience the opposite. Overtreatment is done by doctors due to fear of medical malpractice, but it often has no benefits for the patient.
- Surgical errors: Operations always come with risks. Wrong-site surgery is common, as is leaving surgical tools inside the patient’s body. Anesthesia errors and infections can also occur.
- Bed sores: Patients who are immobile cannot turn over on their own, so they need assistance from nurses. When they stay in one place for too long, they can develop bed sores. Severe bed sores may develop infections and sepsis, which can be deadly.
- Hospitals are full of sick people: which means thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting is necessary. Materials and equipment can easily get contaminated with bacteria, causing pneumonia, staph infections, and many other infections.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Hospital negligence cases are complex because multiple parties may share responsibility, including:
- Doctors and surgeons
- Nurses and medical staff
- Anesthesiologists
- Hospital administrators
- Lab technicians
- Equipment or device manufacturers
At Furman | Honick Law, we thoroughly investigate each case to determine liability and build a strong claim.
Damages You May Recover
Victims of hospital negligence may be entitled to compensation under two main categories:
Economic Damages (financial losses you can calculate):
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages (intangible losses that affect quality of life):
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Funeral and wrongful death damages (if applicable)
The value of your case depends on the severity of the harm and the extent of negligence. Our attorneys will fight for the maximum recovery available under Maryland law.
Maryland Laws on Hospital Negligence
Under both federal law and Maryland state law, hospitals have a legal duty to provide safe, competent medical care. Maryland generally allows three years from the date an injury is discovered (but no more than five years from when it occurred) to file a hospital negligence lawsuit. Because deadlines are strict, it is critical to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hospital Errors in Baltimore
Contact Furman | Honick Law Today
An error in a hospital can lead to infection, injuries, a worsened condition, or even death. It’s important to hold hospitals and their staff accountable for their negligence.
Hospital errors should not be treated lightly. Get the legal help you need from the team at Furman | Honick Law. Our experienced team will handle your claim the right way. To schedule a free consultation with a Baltimore hospital error lawyer, fill out the online form or call (410) 844-6000.
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