The liver is one of the body’s essential organs, and a well-functioning liver is critical to a person’s overall health. As such, an entire branch of medicine known as hepatology is dedicated to treating and preventing diseases that affect the liver, along with conditions involving the gallbladder, pancreas, and biliary tree. When a hepatologist fails to provide the care needed to manage a patient’s disease properly, it can lead to the progression of illness and the development of significant issues. If you suffer from an ailment that affects your liver and you believe that your doctor neglected to provide you with competent treatment, you might be able to recover damages via a hepatologist malpractice claim and should consult a lawyer as soon as possible. The Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group have ample experience handling complex lawsuits, and we have the skills and resources required to help you mount a compelling case in support of your pursuit of damages.
Harm Caused by HepatologistsHepatologists treat patients for liver illnesses, such as liver cancer, jaundice, liver disease, and hepatitis, as well as conditions that affect the liver, such as pancreatitis, drug overdose, and gastrointestinal bleeding. They typically perform diagnostic tests and surgeries when they begin treating a patient and periodically after, to assess the patient’s condition. If they fail to perform or recommend such evaluations, though, or to monitor irregular test results, they may not be able to accurately determine the cause of a patient’s symptoms or recommend an appropriate treatment. Similarly, if a hepatologist prescribes a treatment that is too conservative, it may fail to prevent a worsening of the patient’s health, while a treatment that is too aggressive may actually cause the patient’s harm.
Proving Liability in a Hepatologist Malpractice CaseHepatologists that fail to provide patients with competent care may be found liable for medical malpractice. Patients seeking damages for hepatologist malpractice will usually allege that their damages were caused by the doctor’s negligence. In Maryland, a plaintiff alleging negligence in a medical malpractice lawsuit must show that the defendant had a duty to treat the plaintiff in compliance with the accepted standard of care and that the defendant breached the duty by providing substandard treatment. The plaintiff must then establish that the defendant’s breach caused the plaintiff’s damages, which usually requires the plaintiff to offer proof that he or she would not have sustained losses if the defendant had provided competent care.
In many instances in which the plaintiff is treated for a critical health condition at the time the negligence occurs, the defendant may argue that the plaintiff’s harm was caused by a pre-existing illness and not any actions taken by the defendant. Thus, the plaintiff will usually have to engage an expert to not only explain the standard of care, which is the care that a competent hepatologist would provide in the same situation, but also to causally link the defendant’s behavior to the plaintiff’s damages.
Recoverable DamagesA plaintiff that proves a defendant’s liability via their malpractice claim in Baltimore may be able to recover compensation for the cost of any additional medical treatment that was needed due to the defendant’s negligence, as well as the estimated expense of any care the plaintiff will need in the future. A plaintiff that could not work due to the harm suffered may be awarded damages for lost wages as well. Similar to disputing whether the harm the plaintiff suffered was caused by the plaintiff’s pre-existing health conditions of the defendant’s harm, the defendant may argue that the plaintiff’s economic losses are not attributable to any negligence on the part of the defendant. As such, expert testimony is usually needed to prove such damages are recoverable. Finally, a plaintiff will usually be granted compensation for the pain and suffering caused by the harm endured.
Consult a Dedicated Maryland LawyerConditions that impair the health of a person’s liver require thorough and attentive care, and doctors that fail to provide the treatment needed to protect their patients’ health should be held accountable. If your health was damaged due to the careless acts of a hepatologist, it is prudent to consult a lawyer to assess a hepatologist malpractice claim. At Arfaa Law Group, our dedicated attorneys proudly help injured people seek compensation from the health care providers that caused their harm. If we represent you, we will zealously pursue the best outcome available under the facts of your case. We regularly assist people with medical malpractice claims in Baltimore, which is where our office is located. You can contact us at (410) 889-1850 or via the form online to set up a consultation.