Gastroenterology Malpractice

Gastroenterologists have a responsibility to treat patients with diligence and proper care. Since these doctors deal with the digestive tract, which can have a profound impact on the rest of the body, making an erroneous diagnosis or providing the wrong treatment can have devastating consequences for a patient. If you or someone close to you has been injured by a gastroenterologist’s mistake or carelessness, you need the help of a Baltimore gastroenterology malpractice lawyer. At Arfaa Law Group, medical malpractice attorney Julia Arfaa can vigorously advocate for your rights at every step of the way.

A gastroenterologist is a doctor who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses and disorders of the digestive tract. The digestive tract is a 25-foot-long tube from the mouth to the anus, through which food is processed. It includes the esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. Gastroenterologists treat a number of conditions and diseases, including:

• Heartburn;
• Peptic ulcers;
• Gallbladder disease;
• Inflammatory bowel disease;
• Irritable bowel syndrome;
• Celiac disease;
• Colorectal cancer;
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease; and
• Diverticulitis.

As with any other type of medical specialist, if a gastroenterologist fails to take proper steps or to properly treat a digestive tract issue, they may be liable for medical malpractice. Some of the errors that a gastroenterologist may make that end up injuring a patient include failing to order tests that are normally considered appropriate, improper administration of anesthesia, mistakes during or after surgical procedures, or failing to thoroughly follow up with a patient. For example, a gastroenterology malpractice attorney in the Baltimore area may be able to help you bring a claim if your gastroenterologist failed to order a colon exam, despite your having a risk of colorectal cancer based on your family history, age, or lifestyle. In this type of case, a doctor may miss the colorectal cancer diagnosis altogether, or the diagnosis could be delayed, causing the condition to significantly worsen.

Medical malpractice is a legal doctrine that requires health care providers to adhere to a certain standard of care for patients. Malpractice takes place when a medical professional fails to use the accepted standard of care that another medical professional in the same specialty would have used under the same circumstances. Thus, a gastroenterologist’s conduct will be compared to a capable gastroenterologist’s conduct in the same situation. Moreover, the failure to use the accepted standard of care must be a direct and proximate cause of the patient’s harm in order for liability under a malpractice theory to be established.

Maryland permits victims of medical malpractice to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages generally cover things like medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages include things like pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and other intangible losses. If you have lost a loved one due to gastroenterologist malpractice, you might be able to pursue wrongful death damages. These damages typically include loss of income, loss of companionship, loss of support, and funeral costs, among others. Naturally, the precise amount of compensation that a patient or their family will be entitled to receive will differ depending on the specific facts of the situation.

If you have suffered an injury due to a gastroenterologist’s error or wrongdoing, you may be able to recover compensation for your harm. At Arfaa Law Group, our injury lawyer can help you determine whether you may have grounds to pursue a medical malpractice claim. We understand that dealing with a serious condition or illness is never easy, but you can rest assured that we will handle your case with the utmost care and sensitivity. Baltimore gastroenterology malpractice attorney Julia Arfaa assists patients throughout the state of Maryland. To speak to her in more detail about your circumstances, call 410-889-1850 or contact us online.