Failure To Diagnose Encephalitis

Encephalitis is a serious medical condition characterized by inflammation of the brain, often caused by viral infections. Encephalitis is treatable, but without a prompt diagnosis and appropriate care, it can cause significant neurological complications. In many instances, a doctor’s failure to diagnose encephalitis is the result of recklessness, and people injured by such carelessness have the right to seek compensation. If you or a loved one were hurt by a missed or delayed encephalitis diagnosis, it is wise to talk to an attorney about your possible claims. The knowledgeable Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group have ample experience handling complex claims against careless physicians, and if you hire us, we will work tirelessly on your behalf.

Encephalitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the brain, which can be potentially life-threatening. Viral infections are the most common cause of encephalitis. Examples of viruses that can cause encephalitis include herpes simplex virus, enteroviruses, West Nile virus, and the varicella-zoster virus. Bacterial infections that can lead to encephalitis are less common but can occur, such as those caused by Lyme disease or certain types of bacteria that cause meningitis.

The diagnosis of encephalitis typically involves a physical examination, evaluation of medical history, blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and electroencephalograms to measure brain activity.

The symptoms of encephalitis can vary depending on the severity and location of the inflammation in the brain. Common symptoms include fever, headache, neck stiffness, confusion, seizures, sensitivity to light, drowsiness, and in severe cases, coma or paralysis. In some cases, symptoms may be mild and may resemble those of a common viral infection, while in other cases, they can be more severe and progress rapidly. As such, a timely diagnosis is key to a good prognosis.

People hurt by a doctor’s failure to diagnose encephalitis will often endure not only physical pain but also emotional trauma and financial losses. As such, they will frequently pursue damages from the physician responsible for their harm via medical malpractice claims. As the failure to diagnose encephalitis is generally the result of carelessness rather than intentional acts, a plaintiff seeking damages for medical malpractice will typically assert a negligence claim against the defendant.

In Maryland, to establish liability under a theory of negligence, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care. With regard to medical care, the duty a defendant owes a plaintiff is to offer treatment that meets or exceeds the applicable standard, which is the care that a competent practitioner working in the same specialty would provide in the same scenario.

Next, the plaintiff has to establish that the defendant deviated from the standard. In the majority of cases, the plaintiff will need to hire a medical expert to explain the applicable standard of care to the judge or jury and the ways in which the defendant breached the standard.

Once the plaintiff has demonstrated the defendant’s duty and the breach of that duty, the plaintiff must show causation and damages, which means that they must produce evidence proving that the defendant’s breach proximately caused them to sustain actual harm. Expert testimony is typically needed to prove causation as well.

A plaintiff that demonstrates a defendant’s negligence may be granted economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages encompass compensation for medical expenses resulting from the malpractice, such as hospital bills, surgeries, and medications, as well as the cost of anticipated future treatments, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, involve subjective harm and include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of life experienced by the plaintiff.

The failure to diagnose encephalitis can result in significant and permanent neurological impairments and often constitutes medical malpractice. If you sustained injuries due to a physician’s failure to diagnose encephalitis, you may be owed damages, and it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney. The trusted Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group can advise you of your options and aid you in pursuing any compensation available under the law. We frequently represent people in medical malpractice lawsuits in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can reach us by calling (410) 889-1850 or using our online form to schedule a confidential and free consultation.