In September 2023, The Washington Post published an article scrutinizing lost data from the Maryland Department of Health after a December 2021 cybersecurity breach compromised providers’ access to critical patient information and clinical notes among other important data necessary for safe patient treatment. “State data shows serious harm inside Maryland’s 62 hospitals more than tripled between 2019 and 2022 to 769 incidents that killed or injured patients, reaching the highest level since the state began collecting patient safety data in 2004,” writes Katie Shepard of The Washington Post.
Understanding Medical Malpractice in Maryland Hospitals
When patients seek medical attention, they expect to be treated with a timely and accurate diagnosis and provided with beneficial treatment plans, including proper medication and medical care.
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, other medical professional, or institution fails to provide a proper standard of care to a patient, resulting in serious injury, illness, or death. The majority of medical malpractice cases are grounded in negligence, with an alarming number of people killed or injured due to hospital and doctor negligence each year across the country.
The reach of medical malpractice can span any form of medical treatment, from misdiagnosis to surgical errors and birth injuries, leaving patients to cope with the aftermath as it is on the plaintiff to prove that negligence caused a medical injury. The Office of Health Care Quality’s Patient Safety Program states that hospitals are only required to report “adverse events” that kill or seriously disable a patient. These incidents are reviewed by the state, and the hospital is required to investigate the cause of the harm and develop a plan to fix any concerns that may impact others. The hospital is at its discretion to report any other malpractice.
If you believe you have suffered from medical negligence it is important to initiate a legal response as quickly as possible. Maryland statute of limitations places a time limit on when a person can file a medical malpractice lawsuit. Connecting with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as early as possible is ideal for recovering damages.
The medical malpractice lawyers of Shadoan, Michael & Wells, LLP have handled virtually every type of medical negligence case, offering 100 years of combined experience and tremendous relief for individuals and families who have suffered severe injury or the loss of a loved one at the hands of negligent healthcare providers.
The firm has secured numerous multi-million dollar awards for our clients, including a $14,000,000 case result for medical negligence against a hospital and an independent contractor anesthesiologist, among others, and a $6,200,000 case result for medical negligence against an orthopedic surgeon and a hospital for negligently conducted surgery.
These and other accomplishments led recently to all three lawyers being recognized as Maryland Trial Lawyers of the Year by the Maryland Association for Justice.
When to Contact an Attorney
If you suspect that you or a family member has been the victim of medical malpractice while receiving treatment at a Maryland hospital, it is important to speak to a highly experienced, successful medical malpractice team immediately. Each medical malpractice case is unique and holds many challenges, including navigating complex state laws, hiring expert witnesses, and identifying detailed evidence of malpractice.
Contact our office today to speak to an attorney and better understand the specifics of your case and the best way to proceed.