Negligent Kidney Stone Removal

People suffering from kidney stones often report extreme pain, and in many cases, their discomfort is unbearable. As such, it is not uncommon for people with kidney stones to undergo procedures to have them extracted. Kidney stone removals can offer lasting relief, but if they are performed improperly, they can cause significant harm. If you were injured due to a negligent kidney stone removal, you could be owed substantial damages, and it is advisable to consult an attorney as soon as possible. At Arfaa Law Group, our trusted Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers dedicate their practice to helping people harmed by careless doctors pursue compensation for their losses, and we will work diligently to help you seek a favorable outcome.

Kidney stones are hard buildups of calcium and minerals that develop inside of kidneys. When they occur, they typically cause extreme pain, nausea, difficult urination, and fever. Symptoms usually occur when the stone travels from the kidney to the ureters, which can cause spasms, swelling of the kidneys, and debilitating pain. Thus, many people suffering from kidney stones will undergo procedures to have them removed.

Small and medium-sized stones are usually removed with procedures that involve shockwaves that are used to pulverize the stones, which may include scopes that are placed inside the ureters to further break up the stones and allow them to pass through the body. Larger stones are often removed via a surgical extraction that involves directly removing the stone from the kidney. Complications that arise from negligently performed kidney stone removal include perforation or avulsion of the ureter, sepsis, and ureteral stents that are inadvertently left in the body. Issues can also arise due to the improper administration of anesthesia and inadequate post-procedure care.

People injured by negligently performed kidney stone removals often choose to pursue damages by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. To recover damages via a medical malpractice claim in Maryland, a plaintiff must first establish that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty. The duty a doctor owes a patient is to provide treatment that, at a minimum, complies with the applicable standard of care, which is the care that a competent physician in the same specialty would provide in a similar situation.

In most cases, the plaintiff must rely on expert testimony to demonstrate the standard of care that applies. The plaintiff must then prove that the treatment the defendant provided the plaintiff demonstrates a departure from the standard of care, which frequently requires expert testimony. Last, the plaintiff has to show that the defendant’s breach of the standard proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer actual harm. This means that the plaintiff has to produce evidence that illustrates the defendant’s actions were a substantial factor in bringing about the plaintiff’s damages and that absent the defendant’s carelessness, the plaintiff would not have been injured.

A plaintiff that adequately demonstrates a defendant’s negligence may be awarded compensation for the cost of any medical treatment needed due to the harm suffered, including medication, hospitalization, and therapy, as well as out-of-pocket expenses. A plaintiff that is unable to work because of the sustained injury may also be awarded lost wages and loss of earnings. In addition to economic losses, plaintiffs can often also recover damages for the suffering, mental trauma, and pain endured.

People afflicted with kidney stones often seek to have them extracted. A variety of treatments can remedy kidney stones, but when a doctor negligently performs a kidney stone removal, it can lead to serious complications. If you suffered injuries because of an improperly performed procedure to eliminate kidney stones, you should meet with a lawyer to discuss your potential claims. The attorneys of Arfaa Law Group are adept at helping people injured by incompetent physicians fight to protect their rights, and we can craft persuasive arguments to help you fight for a just outcome. We regularly represent people in medical malpractice cases in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us via our online form or at (410) 889-1850 to set up a consultation.