Published by Arfaa Law Group
When patients arrive at urgent care facilities with symptoms of serious medical distress, prompt and competent treatment is essential to prevent further harm. If they do not receive timely care, the consequences can be devastating, as demonstrated in a recent Maryland case. If you have suffered an injury due to inadequate care at an urgent care center or hospital, you should speak with a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney about your legal rights.
Factual Background and Procedural History
It is reported that the plaintiff began experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion after spending a morning in high temperatures at a Maryland campground. The plaintiff became lightheaded and disoriented and was taken to the defendant’s urgent care clinic. Upon arrival, the plaintiff was semi-conscious and unable to communicate coherently. According to the complaint, clinic staff failed to appreciate the urgency of the plaintiff’s condition and did not initiate appropriate medical interventions to treat what was later identified as severe dehydration.
It is alleged that the nurse who initially assessed the plaintiff dismissed dehydration as the cause of symptoms and attributed the plaintiff’s condition to unrelated factors, such as hormone therapy. Despite visible signs of distress, including fainting, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness, the clinic delayed the administration of IV fluids and failed to conduct timely diagnostic testing. The first significant medical intervention, the administration of fluids, occurred more than 50 minutes after the plaintiff’s arrival.
Allegedly, subsequent examination by another nurse and a physician’s assistant revealed symptoms consistent with serious dehydration, including an elevated pulse, dry mucous membranes, and abnormal electrolyte levels. Laboratory tests indicated a low potassium level and an elevated white blood cell count, both potential indicators of systemic effects from dehydration. It is reported that after the plaintiff left the clinic, they continued to experience symptoms and were later diagnosed at a separate facility with acute cystitis and hematuria, which the plaintiff contends were complications arising from the delayed treatment.
Reportedly, the plaintiff filed suit in federal court, asserting several state-law tort claims, including negligence and battery, based on the clinic’s alleged failure to meet the applicable standard of care. The plaintiff also alleged that certain physical examinations were performed without informed consent, giving rise to separate battery claims. The defendant moved to dismiss the plaintiff’s claim.
Negligence in the Context of Medical Care
The plaintiff’s negligence claim centered on the allegation that medical personnel at the clinic breached the standard of care by failing to timely recognize and treat a heat-related illness. Under Maryland law, a successful medical malpractice claim requires proof that the provider owed a duty to the patient, breached the standard of care, and caused the patient harm as a result. In this case, the plaintiff alleged that clinic staff failed to conduct a proper medical evaluation, delayed necessary treatment, and did not obtain a urine sample or properly monitor symptoms indicative of serious dehydration.
Although the court dismissed the plaintiff’s other claims, including sex discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress, the medical negligence and battery claims were not dismissed. This indicates that the plaintiff’s factual allegations, taken as true at the motion to dismiss stage, were sufficient to proceed with discovery and further litigation on the merits of those tort claims.
Contact a Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorney for a Case Evaluation
When medical professionals fail to respond appropriately to clear signs of distress, patients may suffer lasting harm that could have been avoided. If you or a loved one experienced negligent care at an urgent care clinic or hospital, the skilled Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys at Arfaa Law Group are here to help. Call (410) 889-1850 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation and explore your legal options.