What does standard of care mean in a Maryland medical malpractice case? This question is on the minds of a lot of individuals who contact us for help regarding a possible medical malpractice claim. In many instances the people asking about standard of care issues have done some homework on the Maryland medical malpractice process and are looking to get a better understanding as to the issue of standard of care.
One reason why understanding standard of care issues in a Maryland medical malpractice case is important is that this understanding will help you see why a bad result does not always mean medical malpractice. Maryland law is clear on what must be proven to be successful in cases of this sort, and standard of care issues can be central to a claim in some cases.
WHY A BAD RESULT DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN MEDICAL MALPRACTICE…
One critical point that I explain to people who contact me as a Maryland medical malpractice attorney is that a bad result does not always mean that medical malpractice occurred. For many people however, this statement causes confusion. You see, to them, they have suffered a devastating injury and a doctor was taking care of them at the time. That is the extent of their analysis. With that said, there are a lot more pieces to the puzzle.
Maryland law requires that you prove that your treating doctor departed from the standard of care owed to you and by departing from the standard of care this is what caused your injury, or your damages. If any one of these elements is missing from your case, you will more than likely not be successful with your case.
WHAT DOES STANDARD OF CARE MEAN IN A MARYLAND MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASE?
So back to the question of what does standard of care mean in a Maryland medical malpractice case? One of the easiest ways to look at the issue of standard of care is what would a reasonable and prudent doctor do in the same instance as your doctor? To know what the specific standard is that was owed to you will require the use of medical experts.
These medical experts can spell out in a medical opinion what the specific standard was in place at the time your injury occurred. Add to that, the standard of care may change depending on the type of procedure performed, or the type of treatment given.
WAS YOUR MEDICAL INJURY THE RESULT OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE?
If you have suffered an injury in Maryland at the hands of a doctor and/or hospital, and you have more questions, this is what I invite you to do. Pick up the phone and give me a call.
I can be reached at 301-850-4832. I answer medical malpractice and child birth injury questions like yours all the time and I would be happy to listen to your story.
Marcus B. Boston, Esq.
2 Wisconsin Circle
Suite 700
Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815
