Failure to Diagnose Interrupted Aortic Arch

An interrupted aortic arch is a rare but serious congenital disability. Typically, it is diagnosed via a heart ultrasound or fetal echocardiogram before a child is born, but in some instances, it is not diagnosed until shortly after a child’s birth. If children born with interrupted aortic arches are not promptly diagnosed and treated, their health will most likely rapidly decline. As such, a physician’s failure to diagnose interrupted aortic arch can have catastrophic consequences. If your child suffered injuries because of a doctor’s oversights or omissions, you might be able to recover substantial compensation, and you should speak to an attorney about your rights. The seasoned Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are proficient at helping families harmed by medical neglect seek justice for their losses, and if you engage our services, we will fight tirelessly on your behalf.

The aorta is the largest vessel of the heart. The aorta pumps blood from the heart throughout the rest of the body. Typically, the aorta has a curve or arch. Some children, though, are born with interrupted aortic arch, a rare condition in which the arch of the aorta is interrupted or incomplete. Interrupted aortic arch causes reduced blood flow and oxygen levels throughout the body, which quickly leads to organ and tissue death. Interrupted aortic arch is diagnosed through ultrasounds and echocardiograms. Interrupted aortic arch is treated via surgical repair, and in most cases, the child’s symptoms will go away.

Parents expect that the doctors caring for their children before and after their birth will diagnose and treat any health conditions they may have. Unfortunately, however, not all physicians provide adequate care, and their recklessness often leads to substantial losses. As such, people whose children suffered harm because of a doctor’s failure to diagnose interrupted aortic arch will often pursue damages in medical malpractice lawsuits.

Typically, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case will aver that the defendant was negligent. In Maryland, in order to prove a defendant was negligent, a plaintiff must show that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty. The duty a doctor owes their patient is to treat them in compliance with the standard of care, which is the care that a capable physician working in the same specialty would provide when presented with the same set of facts as the defendant.

The plaintiff then needs to prove that the defendant breached the duty owed by failing to comply with the standard of care. Generally, the plaintiff will need to retain one or more medical experts to explain the standard of care to the fact finder and to offer an opinion regarding the ways in which the defendant failed to uphold the standard.

Finally, the plaintiff must show that they suffered actual harm and that the harm they sustained was directly caused by the defendant’s breach of the standard of care. In other words, they must prove that they would not have been injured but for the breach. Demonstrating causation usually requires expert testimony as well. A plaintiff that presents a compelling case may be awarded compensation for their economic and noneconomic harm. Economic harm may include the cost of medical care, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs, while noneconomic harm often includes mental trauma, suffering, and pain.

Children with interrupted aortic arches respond well to treatment, but if their heart defect is not properly identified, it can cause fatal complications. If your child sustained losses due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose interrupted aortic arch, you have the right to seek damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit, and it is advisable to talk to an attorney to evaluate your potential claims. The capable Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group have ample experience establishing liability in medical malpractice cases, and if we represent you, we will gather the evidence needed to provide you with a strong chance of a favorable result. We regularly represent children and families in medical malpractice lawsuits in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can reach us via our form online or by calling us at (410) 889-1850 to set up a confidential meeting.