Published by Arfaa Law Group
During pregnancy, the changes an expectant mother’s body goes through increase the risk of certain complications. Such risks can extend beyond pregnancy, and healthcare providers must be diligent in diagnosing and treating any complications that arise. If they are not, the consequences can be devastating. Even in cases in which liability seems clear, medical professionals will often deny liability, which is why expert testimony is essential. This was demonstrated in a recent Maryland medical malpractice case in which the plaintiff sought compensation for the defendant’s failure to identify and treat a dangerous neurological condition when she was postpartum. If you were harmed by the incompetence of a medical professional, it is important to understand your rights, and you should talk to a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney.
Factual History and Procedural Setting
It is alleged that the plaintiff, a new mother, presented to the emergency department with complaints of worsening headaches and neurological symptoms in the days following delivery. Reportedly, she was evaluated, discharged, and sent home without undergoing a brain scan. It is further alleged that the plaintiff returned to the hospital the next day after experiencing vomiting and impaired coordination.
It is reported that upon her return, the medical staff again failed to perform neuroimaging and treated her symptoms as unrelated to any neurological condition. Later that day, the plaintiff suffered a severe stroke due to cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. She was admitted to the intensive care unit and experienced permanent brain damage. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against the hospital, alleging that the staff’s failure to recognize her symptoms and order appropriate testing constituted a breach of the standard of care.
Reportedly, the hospital moved for summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiff could not establish causation and had not presented expert testimony sufficient to show a deviation from the applicable standard of care. The trial court granted summary judgment, and the plaintiff appealed.
Expert Testimony in Medical Malpractice Cases
The court reviewed whether the plaintiff’s expert had met the threshold for admissibility and whether a factual dispute remained regarding breach and causation. The plaintiff’s expert, a specialist in emergency medicine, opined that the failure to perform a CT scan or MRI in a postpartum patient with severe, escalating headache and neurological symptoms fell below accepted standards.
The court determined that the expert’s opinion was based on reliable methods and relevant medical literature and was thus admissible. Moreover, the court found that the expert had adequately explained how earlier imaging would have revealed the blood clot, allowing for treatment that likely would have prevented the stroke.
The court concluded that the expert’s opinion created a genuine dispute of material fact regarding whether the failure to diagnose the condition in a timely manner caused the plaintiff’s injuries. As such, the trial court’s grant of summary judgment was reversed, and the case was remanded for further proceedings.
Discuss Your Case with a Skilled Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Postpartum neurological complications are a well-known risk, and emergency room staff must recognize red flags that may indicate stroke or other critical conditions. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a hospital’s failure to monitor or treat symptoms following childbirth, you may have grounds for a claim. At Arfaa Law Group, our experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys can evaluate your case and advise you of your options for seeking justice. You can reach us at (410) 889-1850 or fill out our online form to arrange a confidential meeting.