While Crohn’s disease is rarely fatal, it can cause debilitating symptoms that destroy people’s health and quality of life. The progression and management of Crohn’s disease depend, in part, on when it is identified. In other words, a timely diagnosis can impact the severity of the disease. Sadly, though, the failure to diagnose Crohn’s disease is all too common. In many instances, a delayed or missed Crohn’s diagnosis is the result of a doctor’s carelessness, and physicians that fail to provide their patients with competent care should be held accountable. If you suffered harm because your doctor did not diagnose your Crohn’s disease in a timely manner, it is smart to meet with an attorney to discuss your potential claims. The seasoned Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group possess the skills and experience needed to help you seek justice, and if you engage our services, we will advocate zealously on your behalf.
Harm Caused by the Failure to Diagnose Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a kind of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the tissue of the digestive tract. While it is a disease that triggers an immune response, it is not an autoimmune disease, meaning it does not cause the body to attack healthy tissues. Symptoms of Crohn’s disease include chronic diarrhea, unintentional weight loss, severe abdominal pain, and malnutrition. Crohn’s disease is not only painful, but it also can impair a person’s ability to lead a typical life. In some cases, complications of Crohn’s disease can become life-threatening.
There is no cure for Crohn’s disease, but therapy can help alleviate many of its symptoms. In some instances, a person’s Crohn’s disease will go into remission, allowing them to heal. Treatment includes medication, lifestyle changes, and surgery. People with delayed diagnoses often require emergency care and surgery earlier than those who are diagnosed promptly. Additionally, delayed diagnoses often lead to complicated disease courses, more severe symptoms, and reduced quality of life.
Lawsuits Arising Out of the Failure to Diagnose Crohn’s DiseaseA physician’s failure to diagnose a patient with Crohn’s disease often leads to significant health issues, diminished quality of life, and increased expenses. As such, it is often grounds for pursuing a medical malpractice claim. In most medical malpractice cases, the plaintiff will need to prove that the defendant was negligent.
Under Maryland law, to establish negligence in the framework of medical care, the plaintiff needs to prove that the defendant had a duty to provide the plaintiff with treatment that aligned with the applicable standard of care. The standard of care is what a reasonable physician who practices in the same specialty as the defendant would do when confronted with a similar scenario. The plaintiff must then show that the defendant’s acts or omissions constitute a breach of the duty owed. For example, if the standard requires that a doctor presented with a person with the plaintiff’s symptoms perform certain tests and the defendant failed to do so, it may be considered a breach.
Finally, the plaintiff has to prove that there is a link between the defendant’s breach and the plaintiff’s harm. In other words, the plaintiff needs to show that they suffered quantifiable losses because of the defendant’s behavior. In most cases, testimony from a medical expert is required to explain the standard of care to the jury or judge deciding the issue of liability and to establish causation and damages.
Talk to a Dedicated Baltimore AttorneyPeople with Crohn’s disease generally fare better when they are promptly diagnosed and treated, and doctors that worsen their patients' prognosis due to delays and missed diagnoses should be held accountable. If you suffered damages due to your doctor’s failure to diagnose Crohn’s disease, it is in your best interest to talk to an attorney about your potential claims. The dedicated Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group can formulate persuasive arguments on your behalf to provide you with a good chance of obtaining a just outcome. We regularly represent people in medical malpractice lawsuits in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can reach us via our online form or by calling (410) 889-1850 to set up a free and confidential meeting.