Pregnant women who receive prenatal care will typically undergo an ultrasound, during which the doctor will examine the fetus’ heart to determine if any abnormalities are present. If a physician fails to thoroughly examine the fetus’ anatomy, though, they may overlook the fact that the great arteries are transposed. Dextro-transposition of the great arteries typically requires immediate surgical and lifelong treatment, and therefore, a timely diagnosis is essential. Thus, the failure to diagnose dextro-transposition of the great arteries can cause irreparable harm. If your child suffered damages due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose dextro-transposition of the great arteries, you might be owed damages, and you should speak to an attorney about your potential claims. The assertive Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are sensitive to the devastation caused by medical negligence, and if you hire us, we will aggressively pursue the best legal result possible under the facts of your case.
Harm Caused by the Failure to Diagnose Dextro-Transposition of the Great ArteriesDextro-transposition of the great arteries is a congenital heart defect in which the locations of the aorta and the pulmonary artery, the two great arteries, are transposed. This prevents the heart from functioning normally, and instead of oxygen-rich blood being pumped throughout the body, it is pumped back into the lungs. Babies with dextro-transposition of the great arteries often have a blue tint to their skin, a weak pulse, difficulty breathing, and a rapid heartbeat. Dextro-transposition of the great arteries requires surgical repair and lifelong monitoring. The failure to diagnose dextro-transposition of the great arteries may lead to tissue death and heart failure.
Seeking Damages for the Failure to Diagnose Dextro-Transposition of the Great ArteriesIn most instances, the failure to diagnose a congenital heart defect is the result of a physician’s oversights or carelessness. As such, in most medical malpractice lawsuits arising seeking damages for the failure to diagnose dextro-transposition of the great arteries, the plaintiff will assert negligence claims against the defendant.
In Maryland, in order to establish negligence in the framework of medical care, a plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant had a duty to provide treatment that met the applicable standard of care. The standard that applies is the care that a competent professional working in the same specialty as the defendant would render under similar circumstances.
The plaintiff then needs to prove that the defendant breached the standard of care in some way. In most instances, the plaintiff will need to hire a medical expert to establish the standard of care imposed on the defendant and to explain the ways in which the defendant deviated from the standard.
Finally, the plaintiff has to establish that the defendant’s departure from the standard of care caused the plaintiff to suffer measurable damages. While the defendant’s acts or omissions do not have to be the sole cause of the plaintiff’s losses, they must be a significant factor in bringing them about. Expert testimony is usually needed to link the defendant’s behavior to the plaintiff’s harm as well.
Under Maryland law, both children who suffer injuries and their parents can seek compensation for medical malpractice; their burdens of proof are the same, but the statutes of limitations that apply to their claims and the damages recoverable differ. For example, the parents may be awarded damages for emotional distress, while the child may recover compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, and medical bills.
Meet with a Skilled Baltimore AttorneyDoctors are expected to identify and treat congenital heart conditions, and if they neglect to do so, it can cause their patients to sustain critical injuries. If your child was harmed by a physician’s failure to diagnose dextro-transposition of the great arteries, you should meet with an attorney to assess your options for seeking compensation. The skilled Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group can assess the circumstances surrounding your child’s harm and formulate compelling arguments on your behalf, to provide you with a strong chance of achieving a favorable outcome. We have an office in Baltimore, where we frequently represent children and their families in medical malpractice cases. You can reach us through our form online or by calling us at (410) 889-1850 to set up a confidential conference.