Improper Treatment of Infectious Disease

Prompt and proper treatment of infectious diseases is critical to prevent complications, long-term harm, and even death. Sadly, though, it is not uncommon for doctors to misdiagnose infectious diseases, delay treatment, or prescribe incorrect medications, all of which can worsen a patient’s condition. The consequences of improper treatment of infectious diseases can be devastating and, in many cases the errors that lead to such inadequate care constitute medical malpractice. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to improper treatment of infectious disease, you may have a viable medical malpractice claim, and you should talk to an attorney. The experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys at Arfaa Law Group are dedicated to helping victims of incompetent care pursue justice, and if you hire us, we will work tirelessly to help you seek the results you deserve.

Infectious diseases include bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections that can affect any part of the body. Healthcare providers have a duty to promptly identify symptoms of infection, order necessary diagnostic tests, and administer appropriate treatment to prevent further harm. Failure to do so can allow the infection to spread, leading to systemic complications, organ failure, or even death.

Conditions such as sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia, and MRSA can escalate quickly if left untreated or improperly managed. For example, a delayed diagnosis of bacterial meningitis may result in permanent brain damage, hearing loss, or neurological impairments. Similarly, untreated infections can progress to sepsis, a life-threatening condition in which the body’s response to infection causes tissue damage and organ dysfunction.

In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe ineffective medications or fail to monitor a patient’s response to treatment, allowing the infection to persist. Patients harmed by improper treatment of infectious diseases may experience prolonged suffering, extended hospital stays, and additional medical interventions to manage complications.

To pursue a medical malpractice claim for improper treatment of infectious disease, plaintiffs in Maryland typically must establish that the healthcare provider’s negligence caused their harm. Medical malpractice claims require proof of four essential elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. First, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the provider owed them a duty of care. In medical settings, this means the provider must deliver care consistent with the accepted standard of care for diagnosing and treating infections.

Second, the plaintiff must show that the provider breached this duty by failing to act as a reasonably competent provider would under similar circumstances. Examples of breaches include failing to order necessary tests, misinterpreting diagnostic results, or administering incorrect or delayed treatments. Third, the plaintiff must prove causation, meaning that the provider’s breach directly led to the patient’s harm. For instance, if a provider failed to recognize the signs of a serious infection and delayed treatment, leading to sepsis or other complications, this may satisfy the causation requirement. Finally, the plaintiff must establish damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, physical suffering, and emotional distress, resulting from the improper treatment.

Expert testimony plays a critical role in medical malpractice cases involving infectious diseases, as it can explain the standard of care, identify how the provider’s actions deviated from this standard, and demonstrate how the failure to act appropriately caused the plaintiff’s harm. These experts may also provide insight into the patient’s prognosis and the long-term impact of the infection on their health.

Patients harmed by improper treatment of infectious disease may be entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include compensation for past and future medical expenses, such as costs for hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitative care. Plaintiffs may also recover damages for lost wages if their condition prevented them from working or reduced their ability to earn a living.

Non-economic damages address the pain, suffering, and emotional distress caused by medical negligence. Patients may be compensated for the physical discomfort and mental anguish they endured as a result of their condition.

Improper treatment of infectious disease can cause serious, long-lasting harm to patients and their families. If you or someone you love suffered injuries due to improper treatment of an infection, you have the right to seek compensation, and you should talk to an attorney. The assertive Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys at Arfaa Law Group are committed to holding negligent providers responsible, and if you engage our services, we can help you seek the maximum compensation recoverable. We have an office in Baltimore and regularly represent people in medical malpractice lawsuits throughout the city. You can contact us at (410) 889-1850 or through our online form to schedule a consultation and discuss your legal options.