Nurse practitioners represent a large portion of the medical workforce, and many people enjoy the ease of treating with them rather than waiting to be seen by a doctor. Although nurse practitioners are not doctors, they treat patients, and if they make medical errors, it can lead to injuries. If you sustained harm due to incompetent care from a nurse practitioner, you might be owed compensation, and it is in your best interest to speak to an attorney regarding your rights. The skillful Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group are adept at proving that careless medical professionals should be held responsible for the harm they cause their patients. If you hire us, we will craft persuasive arguments on your behalf to provide you with a strong chance of obtaining a good result.
Examples of Nurse Practitioner MalpracticeVarious practice areas employ nurse practitioners. For example, nurse practitioners often offer patient care in obstetrics practices, neonatal wards, and emergency departments. The majority of nurse practitioners, though, work in family or general medicine practices. Regardless of what area of medicine a nurse practitioner works in, they will be supervised by a doctor. The scenarios that lead to nurse practitioner malpractice claims are similar to those involving malpractice claims against doctors. In other words, if they fail to order proper diagnostic tests or accurately evaluate a patient’s symptoms, it can result in a missed or delayed diagnosis. Similarly, if they fail to address test results or escalate care when results indicate it is necessary, it can have negative implications for a patient’s health. Additionally, if they improperly prescribe medication or prescribe a drug that is contraindicated, it can lead to significant harm.
Pursuing Claims for Nurse Practitioner MalpracticeUnder Maryland law, patients can pursue medical malpractice claims against any healthcare provider that causes them to suffer a medical injury. Health care providers include not only doctors but also nurse practitioners. As such, nurse practitioners can be held liable for medical malpractice.
In order for a plaintiff to recover damages for nurse practitioner malpractice, they must first show that the defendant had a duty to abide by the standard of care, which is the care that a reasonable nurse practitioner would offer in a similar situation. The plaintiff then has to prove that the defendant breached the standard of care in some way. Last, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant’s departure from the standard of care caused them to suffer quantifiable losses. In other words, the plaintiff has to prove that, but for the defendant’s breach, they would not have sustained a medical injury.
Generally, the plaintiff will need to hire an expert witness familiar with the standard of care imposed on nurse practitioners to explain the standard to the judge or jury and how the defendant failed to uphold the standard. Expert testimony is also usually needed to demonstrate that the defendant’s acts or omissions and not some other factor caused the plaintiff’s harm. Plaintiffs that successfully establish liability may be granted compensation for their economic losses, like the cost of medical care, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost wages, and their non-economic harm, which typically consists of pain, suffering, and mental trauma.
Consult a Trusted Baltimore AttorneyLike all Maryland health care providers, nurse practitioners must adhere to a standard of care. If they offer treatment that falls below the standard and their clients suffer harm as a result of their neglect, they can be held accountable for malpractice. If you sustained injuries due to the negligence of a nurse practitioner, it is prudent to consult an attorney to assess your possible causes of action. The trusted Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group possess the skills and experience needed to help people hurt by incompetent medical care recover damages, and if you engage our services, we can assist you in seeking justice for your losses. We have an office in Baltimore, where we frequently represent people in medical malpractice cases. You can contact us by calling (410) 889-1850 or via our online form to set up a confidential and free consultation.