Hospital Negligence

When you go to the hospital, you expect competent care. The quality of care provided at a hospital can vary significantly because a number of factors (such as the number of staff, resources, etc.) can influence the type of care being given. Unfortunately, hospitals make surgical errors and other mistakes all the time that cause patients injuries and, in some cases, even death. If you or your loved one has been harmed in a health care setting, the Maryland hospital negligence lawyers at Burgos & Burgos, LLC can help. We have represented people throughout Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, as well as in Washington, D.C. Each member of our staff is fluent in Spanish.

In a hospital setting, many medical professionals play a vital role in making sure that a patient receives appropriate care. When such care is not provided, it can have serious and long-term consequences for a patient’s health. Examples of hospital errors that can form the basis of a medical malpractice claim include:

• Emergency room mistakes;
• Administering the wrong medication;
• Administering the wrong dosage of medication;
• Unsanitary conditions leading to an infection;
• Performing surgery on the wrong patient or on the wrong body part;
• Improper care in intensive care units;
• Anesthesia errors;
• Misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, or delayed diagnosis of a particular condition; or
• Being treated by a medical professional under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The term medical malpractice refers to a claim for money damages based on a medical professional’s failure to provide proper care, resulting in an injury to a patient. Under Maryland law, a medical professional exercises proper care when they follow the standard of care that a reasonably prudent, properly trained medical professional in the same specialty would follow under the same or similar circumstances. A hospital negligence attorney can help Maryland patients hold hospitals accountable for failing to meet this standard. For example, a surgeon using proper care would make sure that they are operating on the right patient before starting the procedure. Thus, a surgeon who made such a mistake would likely be liable for the resulting harm because that conduct is not in line with the standard of care that a reasonably prudent surgeon would have used in the same situation.

A hospital may be liable for the careless acts of its physicians, anesthesiologists, nurses, pharmacists, surgeons, and other health care providers. Furthermore, a hospital may be liable for flaws in the equipment that it uses in administering treatment. As a result, if you were injured by a defective machine or device in a hospital, you will most likely be able to sue the hospital. If liability is established, a victim of medical malpractice can recover a variety of damages, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and any other losses stemming from the malpractice.

It is important to note that a health complication or a poor result does not automatically mean that malpractice occurred. Some procedures are inherently risky, and an adverse outcome is possible even if appropriate care is used. An attorney can assist in obtaining a qualified medical expert to distinguish what the defendant hospital did from what would have complied with the standard of care.

If you or someone close to you was injured due to hospital negligence, it can be difficult to know what to do next. At Burgos & Burgos, LLC, our medical malpractice attorneys are here to assure you that you have rights and options. We can examine the facts of your case and assist you in understanding your next steps. If we take your case, you can trust that we will fight to make sure that you are fully compensated for the harm that you suffered. We represent people in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Wheaton-Glenmont, and Hyattsville, as well as other areas of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, and in Washington, D.C. You should not need to face the complex legal process alone, so call us at (301) 681-1111 or contact us online to discuss your situation with a hospital negligence lawyer in Maryland. We also can assist families who need a birth injury attorney to bring a claim based on cerebral palsy or another condition.