Doctors often make patients sign consent forms before they render treatment. Many people sign such forms without reading the terms, which in some cases results in the unwitting waiver of the right to pursue claims against the doctor. Merely because a party signs a blanket waiver does not automatically mean…
Doctors accused of committing medical malpractice will often try to avoid liability by claiming factors other than their negligence caused their patients harm. For example, they may argue that an outside force intervened and brought about the injury in question, thereby superseding their fault. Recently, a Maryland court examined superseding…
While most people pursue medical malpractice claims with the assistance of attorneys, some are tempted to seek compensation on their own to save money. In many cases, though, the decision to proceed pro se has unfortunate consequences. This was illustrated in a recent opinion in which the court dismissed the…
People who served in the military are eligible to receive medical care at military hospitals. Military hospitals differ from non-government institutions in numerous ways. For example, establishing liability for medical malpractice for harm caused by incompetent care in a military hospital requires different proof than in cases involving non-government hospitals.…
Many health care facilities in and around Maryland are funded and operated by the federal government. As such, if a party wishes to pursue medical malpractice claims for harm caused by incompetent treatment in such facilities, they typically must comply with the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), and if they…
People who suffer harm due to incompetent medical care can seek damages via medical malpractice claims. Only treatment administered in the context of a medical relationship will give rise to liability, however. This was demonstrated in a ruling in which the court dismissed the plaintiff’s medical malpractice claims on the…
Nurses, like doctors, can be held liable if they carelessly perform their duties and cause people harm. Malpractice lawsuits against nurses must be pursued in the appropriate forum, however, and if they are not, the defendant can ask the court to transfer the case to another venue. There can be…
It is not uncommon for patients to change medical providers over the course of their care. Thus, if a provider initially tasked with treating a patient commits medical malpractice, it is possible that a subsequent health care professional could continue the pattern of negligent care, further harming the patient. Each…
Medical malpractice cases are typically more complicated than other civil lawsuits, due to the complexities of the nature of the plaintiff’s harm. Additionally, in some instances, the plaintiff will not only have pending claims against the negligent healthcare providers but also against a person or entity that caused an injury…
In many medical malpractice cases, medical records from entities that are not parties to the case will be relevant to establishing or refuting liability. If a party is unable to obtain such records, therefore, it may detrimentally affect the outcome of his or her case. As such, it is critical…