Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to debilitating. As such, people with lupus are often misdiagnosed and may not receive an accurate diagnosis for several months or years. Without a diagnosis, people with lupus often do not receive the treatment they need, which can lead to the progression of the disease, causing damage to the heart, lungs, and brain. In many instances, the failure to diagnose lupus constitutes negligence, and people harmed by such lapses may be able to pursue medical malpractice claims against their providers. If you have lupus and your doctor neglected to provide you with a prompt and proper diagnosis, you should speak to an attorney about your rights. The trusted Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are well-versed in what it takes to achieve successful outcomes in cases against negligent doctors, and if you hire us, we will work tirelessly on your behalf.
Damages Brought About by the Failure to Diagnose LupusSystemic lupus erythematosus, or lupus, is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own systems. Lupus can lead to inflammation, organ damage, and death. Lupus causes a variety of symptoms, including facial rashes, sores, fever, weight loss, memory issues, chest pain, joint pain, and depression. The symptoms may occur at once or may arise over weeks or months. If a patient presents with numerous symptoms of lupus, a doctor will typically conduct blood tests to determine if anything is abnormal. A high level of antibodies is a common indicator that a patient is suffering from an autoimmune illness. Treatment of lupus usually includes anti-inflammatory medications, steroids, and anti-malarial drugs.
Proving Liability for the Failure to Diagnose LupusAs with most autoimmune disorders, a timely diagnosis is a key to good outcomes in lupus patients. The failure to diagnose lupus, therefore, often causes irreparable harm. While money alone cannot repair the damages caused by careless medical professionals, people who suffer injuries due to their doctor’s inability to provide a correct diagnosis may be able to recover compensation in a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Generally, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case must show that the defendant was negligent in order to recover damages. Under Maryland law, to prove the negligence of a healthcare provider, a plaintiff must establish a duty, breach, causation, and damages. To demonstrate a duty, the plaintiff needs to prove that they had a treatment relationship with the defendant, and pursuant to that relationship, the defendant had an obligation to provide them with treatment that met the standard of care. The standard of care that s defined by what care a reasonable doctor working in the same specialty would offer when presented with a similar set of facts. A breach is established by showing the defendant deviated from the standard of care. Finally, to prove causation and damages, the plaintiff must offer evidence demonstrating that the defendant’s breach proximately caused the plaintiff to sustain measurable losses. While the defendant’s acts do not have to be the sole cause of the plaintiff’s harm, they must be a substantial factor in bringing it about.
Typically, testimony from a medical expert is needed to explain the standard of care to the judge or jury and to prove causation and damages. A plaintiff that successfully demonstrates a defendant’s fault may be awarded damages for their economic losses, like the cost of medical care, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses, and non-economic harm, such as suffering, pain, and mental anguish.
Confer with a Skilled Baltimore AttorneyLupus is a serious illness that must be managed carefully; as such, the failure to diagnose lupus can cause significant injuries. If you sustained losses because of your doctor’s carelessness, you should confer with an attorney about your possible claims. The skilled Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are proficient at handling the complexities of medical malpractice cases, and if we represent you, we will gather the evidence needed to provide you with a strong chance of a good result. We frequently represent people in medical malpractice cases in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us through our online form or by calling (410) 889-1850 to set up a free and confidential conference.