Annapolis Personal Injury Law Blog
After a routine medical procedure, unforeseen complications and side effects could arise. Other times, a patient may suffer what is believed to be unnecessary pain while in the care of a Maryland doctor. In some instances, a doctor fails to diagnose a serious health condition. If any of these circumstances, grounds for a medical malpractice claim may exist.
An out-of-state hospital, its affiliates and three doctors were recently sued by the family of a 13-year girl who died due to a brain tumor that had gone undetected. For several months before her death in May 2016, the young teen complained repeatedly of experiencing nausea, migraines, vision problems and tongue numbness. These signs are considered classic pediatric brain tumor symptoms.
However, neither the emergency room doctors nor the pediatricians attending the girl performed any diagnostic brain imaging. She went to the emergency room on May 1, but doctors there did not arrange a CT brain scan until after the girl became unresponsive and stopped breathing twice, according to the claims in the lawsuit. By that point, the tumor was so big that the pressure caused all neurologic function to cease. Five days later, she was declared brain dead. A short time later, her life support was removed.
A medical professional or the care facility they are employed by can be held liable for medical malpractice that was due to improper treatment, a flawed diagnosis or even the treatment of a patient without receiving the proper permission. Successfully navigated, the claim may result in an award for financial relief that may help with the cost of medical bills, lost wages, or in the event of the patient’s death, funeral costs and related monetary damage. An experienced Maryland attorney is typically consulted to assess whether a medical malpractice claim is appropriate under the circumstances.
Source: concordmonitor.com, “Family of Molly Banzhoff sues Concord Hospital, alleging medical negligence“, Ella Nilsen, Jan. 16, 2017
