EMT Negligence

Each day in Maryland and throughout the U.S., paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are responsible for providing prompt medical care in critical situations. If you or someone you love was injured due to EMT negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your harm. At Arfaa Law Group, Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer Julia Arfaa has extensive experience handling Maryland personal injury claims. We can look into the facts of your case and determine a legal strategy accordingly. We have achieved favorable results for many Maryland clients, including some verdicts and settlements in the millions of dollars, and we can do the same for you.

EMTs and other types of first responders in Baltimore and the surrounding areas have an obligation to use proper care when responding to an emergency. EMT negligence can occur in a variety of ways, of which some examples include:

• Failure to respond in a time-sensitive manner;
• Failure to bring or use the right equipment at the scene;
• Failure to administer the proper medication;
• Failure to administer oxygen;
• Failure to identify potentially fatal conditions that require a rapid response;
• Failure to keep the ambulance equipment in functioning order;
• Failure to adhere to evaluation or treatment procedures;
• Negligent driving to the hospital.

EMTs have a duty to diagnose and treat symptoms and a duty to provide safe and prompt transportation to a medical facility. When an individual is injured due to EMT negligence, that individual may be able to file a medical malpractice claim. In Maryland, a medical malpractice claim is appropriate when an injury or death results from an EMT’s failure to use the same level of care that a reasonably prudent EMT would have used in the same or similar circumstances. In order to establish liability for medical malpractice, you must prove certain elements. The EMT owed the patient a duty of care, the EMT breached the duty of care owed to the patient, and the EMT’s breach was a direct and proximate cause of the patient’s harm. Also, there must have been quantifiable damages resulting from the EMT’s conduct.

It is important to note that EMTs in Maryland have some immunity from medical malpractice claims for good-faith attempts to treat a patient. This immunity, however, does not cover gross negligence or wilful and wanton conduct. These medical professionals can be held accountable for negligence if they fail to act, do not respond to a call, or fail to transport a patient who subsequently dies. For example, an EMT might be immune from a lawsuit if an injury was a result of trying to restrain a combative patient. However, an EMT will not be immune from liability in an instance in which a patient gets hurt due to falling off a gurney, since this would be a breach of the basic standard of medical care.

If medical malpractice is established, you can recover a variety of economic and non-economic damages. Some examples of these damages include medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, loss of future income, and any other losses related to the malpractice. The exact amount of damages that an injured patient will be able to recover will depend on the nature and extent of the harm suffered. We can thoroughly review your case and assess the appropriate amount of damages that you may be able to receive.

If you or someone close to you has been injured by EMT negligence, you need to reach out to a skilled injury attorney as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, we are committed to holding negligent health care providers accountable for the harm that they cause. You can trust that our firm is here to answer your questions and address your concerns. Baltimore attorney Julia Arfaa represents patients and other victims throughout the state of Maryland. To schedule a free initial consultation, feel free to call 410-889-1850 or contact us online.