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.
Allegedly, the hospital filed a motion for summary judgment, asserting that the plaintiff could not prove causation and that the progression of the condition was not preventable. The trial court denied the motion, and the hospital challenged that ruling.
Demonstrating Liability in Maryland Medical Malpractice Cases
The court analyzed whether the plaintiff had presented sufficient expert testimony to create a triable issue of fact. The plaintiff’s expert, a general surgeon, opined that the standard of care required urgent surgical consultation and that the failure to do so directly contributed to the patient’s death. The expert further testified that with prompt diagnosis and treatment, the obstruction could have been relieved before irreversible damage occurred.
The court considered the timing of events presented in the record, including the interval between the initial diagnosis and the eventual surgery. According to the expert, this delay was clinically significant, particularly given the imaging results and the patient’s symptoms. The expert cited published medical guidelines recommending early intervention for bowel obstruction to prevent complications such as ischemia, necrosis, and systemic infection.
Moreover, the court noted that the expert articulated a clear causal chain: the failure to promptly involve a surgical specialist allowed the obstruction to worsen, leading to sepsis and death. The testimony was grounded in clinical data and the expert’s extensive experience in emergency surgical cases. The court found this sufficient to create a genuine dispute of material fact that precluded summary judgment.
The court also emphasized the role of institutional protocols in emergency settings. The plaintiff alleged that the hospital’s triage and communication procedures contributed to the delay, and the expert corroborated this by pointing to systemic failures in recognizing and escalating care. The court observed that jurors could reasonably determine whether those systemic breakdowns amounted to actionable negligence.
Accordingly, the court held that the case presented factual questions suitable for jury evaluation and ruled that summary judgment was not appropriate.
Speak with a Trusted Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
Delays in emergency medical care can have devastating and irreversible consequences. When hospitals fail to act swiftly in the face of life-threatening conditions, families deserve accountability. If you have lost a loved one due to negligent emergency care, the trusted Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys at Arfaa Law Group are here to help. Call (410) 889-1850 or complete our online form to arrange a consultation and discuss your legal options.