Amputations Resulting From Medical Malpractice

Losing all or part of a limb has life-altering consequences. While in many cases, circumstances beyond anyone’s control require amputations, some amputations are the direct result of errors and oversights in medical care. There are few things more devastating than amputations resulting from medical malpractice, and patients that lose arms or legs because of their doctors’ incompetence can often recover significant compensation. If you needed an amputation because of your doctor’s negligence, it is critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The trusted Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group are mindful of the overwhelming losses people who suffer avoidable amputations experience, and if you engage our services, we will aggressively advocate on your behalf to help you seek any damages you may be able to recover.

Numerous medical errors can ultimately result in amputations. One of the most common is the failure to accurately diagnose or treat an underlying condition, leading to loss of blood in the extremities, infections, and gangrene that eventually require amputation. In some instances, a patient will be administered the incorrect medication or the wrong dose, which can also lead to amputations. Some patients develop infections due to surgical equipment being left in their bodies, which can result in limb loss. In rare cases, a doctor will perform surgery on the incorrect part of a patient’s body, resulting in the amputation of the wrong limb. People who undergo amputations typically require prosthetic limbs and may experience lifelong pain. In many cases, they are no longer able to independently perform daily tasks or work in the same capacity that they did prior to the amputation.

People who lose all or a portion of their limbs due to the incompetence of their physicians may be awarded substantial damages if they choose to pursue medical malpractice claims. In most instances, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case will set forth a negligence claim against the defendant.

In Maryland, proving the negligence of a health care provider requires the plaintiff to show that the defendant had a duty to treat the plaintiff in compliance with the applicable standard of care. The standard that applies is the care that a competent doctor who practices in the same specialty as the defendant would offer when presented with the same scenario. The plaintiff then must prove that the defendant’s actions or omissions are considered a departure from the standard of care. For example, if the standard requires that a doctor mark a patient’s limb prior to surgery to ensure that they operate on the right side and the defendant failed to do so, it may constitute a breach of the standard of care.

In the vast majority of cases, the plaintiff must retain a medical expert to explain to the judge or jury what standard of care applies to the defendant and how the defendant failed to uphold the standard. Finally, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant’s breach of the standard of care proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer losses. In other words, it is not sufficient for a plaintiff to merely show that the defendant deviated from the standard of care; they must also show that the deviation directly caused the plaintiff’s harm. Generally, expert testimony is needed to establish causation as well.

Losing a limb because of negligent care can lead to anger, frustration, and life-long physical and economic detriments and patients who sustain amputations resulting from medical malpractice should exercise their right to pursue damages from their providers. If you needed an amputation because of your doctor’s mistakes, it is prudent to meet with an attorney to discuss your potential claims. The knowledgeable Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group can advise you of your rights and gather any evidence that will help you prove that your doctor should be held liable for your losses. We have an office in Baltimore, where we regularly represent people in medical malpractice cases. You can reach us by calling (410) 889-1850 or using our online form to set up a confidential and free meeting.