Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases impacting people in Maryland. Despite that fact, doctors routinely neglect to properly diagnose epilepsy. People with undiagnosed and untreated epilepsy often develop acute and chronic injuries that can impact their overall health and quality of life. If you suffered harm due to a physician’s failure to diagnose epilepsy, you have the right to pursue medical malpractice claims against the provider responsible for your harm, and it is prudent to contact an attorney about your possible claims. The assertive Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group are skilled at demonstrating the liability of doctors that carelessly harm their patients, and if we represent you, we will fight for justice on your behalf.
Losses Caused by the Failure to Diagnose EpilepsyEpilepsy is a chronic neurological condition in which clusters of neurons in the brain send abnormal signals, causing seizures. Seizures can cause temporary loss of consciousness, convulsions, involuntary movements, and loss of awareness. Typically, epilepsy is diagnosed via EEGs, CT scans, and MRIs. Treatment for epilepsy includes medication and surgery. When doctors fail to diagnose epilepsy, patients may continue to have uncontrolled seizures, during which they may fall or suffer other injuries. If they have a seizure when they are driving or performing other activities that require concentration, it could lead to critical harm. People that suffer extended seizures have an increased risk of death as well.
Compensation Recoverable for the Failure to Diagnose EpilepsyDoctors are expected to provide their patients with competent care, which includes accurately diagnosing any conditions within a reasonable time. As such, the failure to diagnose epilepsy often constitutes grounds for pursuing medical malpractice claims. As the failure to provide a patient with a prompt and correct diagnosis is usually caused by careless oversights rather than intentional acts, a plaintiff in medical malpractice cases will typically argue that the defendant should be liable under a theory of negligence.
In Maryland, a plaintiff setting forth a negligence claim in a medical malpractice lawsuit must demonstrate that the defendant owed them a duty to abide by the relevant standard of care, which is defined as the treatment a competent doctor that works in the same specialty would offer in the same situation. The plaintiff then has to prove that the defendant deviated from the standard of care, thereby breaching the duty owed. Lastly, the plaintiff needs to establish that in violating the standard of care, the defendant proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer quantifiable injuries. In other words, they have to prove that the defendant’s failure to provide them with a proper diagnosis substantially contributed to their harm.
Expert Testimony in Medical Malpractice CasesNormally, the plaintiff will have to offer testimony from a medical expert on the standard of care, the manner in which the defendant deviated from the standard of care, and to connect the defendant’s behavior to the plaintiff’s losses. Expert testimony will most likely be needed to prove the extent of the plaintiff’s harm as well. A plaintiff that successfully shows the defendant’s negligence may be granted damages for both their financial losses, such as the cost of medical care, lost income, and out-of-pocket costs, and their intangible harm, like suffering, trauma, and pain.
Confer with a Seasoned Baltimore AttorneyEpilepsy is a serious condition, but in most cases, it can be managed with appropriate care. A timely and accurate diagnosis is essential to proper treatment, though, and when epilepsy goes undiagnosed, serious issues can arise. If you were hurt by a doctor’s failure to diagnose epilepsy, it is in your best interest to confer with an attorney to determine whether you may be able to recover damages in a civil lawsuit. The seasoned Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group devote their practice to helping individuals hurt by incompetent medical care seek compensation for their losses, and if we represent you, we will zealously pursue any damages available under the law. We regularly help people hurt by medical malpractice seek compensation in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us by calling us at (410) 889-1850 or through our online form to set up a confidential conference.