In life-threatening medical situations, even brief delays can determine whether a patient lives or dies. A recent Maryland medical malpractice case exposes how failing to act swiftly in an emergency surgical context may lead to a preventable and tragic outcome and the importance of expert testimony in establishing liability for such errors. If you were hurt by a medical professional’s careless failure to provide competent care, it is smart to talk to a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney about your options for seeking damages.
Factual Background and Procedural History
It is alleged that the decedent arrived at the hospital’s emergency department with complaints of severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Reportedly, imaging studies revealed signs of bowel obstruction and fluid accumulation. Despite these findings, the hospital did not immediately consult a surgeon or initiate appropriate pre-operative measures.
It is reported that the patient’s condition deteriorated overnight, and by the time surgical intervention was attempted, the bowel obstruction had progressed to sepsis and multi-organ failure. The patient died shortly after the delayed procedure. The decedent’s estate brought a wrongful death and survival action against the hospital, alleging that the delay in surgical care constituted a breach of the applicable standard of care. Continue Reading ›