Maryland courts require expert testimony in medical malpractice cases to help juries understand complex medical information. However, not all expert testimony is admissible, as illustrated in a recent Maryland case in which the court considered whether a pharmacist’s testimony was relevant and appropriate in a claim involving informed consent. If you believe you were harmed by negligent medical care, it is wise to confer with a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney to evaluate your options.
Facts of the Case and Procedural Setting
It is alleged that the plaintiffs filed a wrongful death and survival action against a hematologist-oncologist and his medical group, claiming a failure to obtain informed consent regarding the administration of a drug used alongside radiation therapy. The decedent, who had prostate cancer, later developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a rare and severe skin disorder, and subsequently died from pneumonia.
Reportedly, the plaintiffs retained a pharmacist as an expert to testify about the drug’s risks and alternatives. The pharmacist’s deposition included details on the drug’s side effects, lack of FDA approval for prostate cancer treatment, and potential risks for elderly patients. However, the trial court excluded his testimony, determining that his expertise did not extend to informed consent requirements, which led to a jury verdict in favor of the defendants. The plaintiffs appealed. Continue Reading ›