Advocating for Victims of Negligence 

If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to a healthcare provider’s negligence, you deserve trusted legal support to address the harm caused. Pikesville medical malpractice attorneys with Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. are dedicated to helping victims of medical errors seek the justice and compensation they deserve. With extensive experience handling complex malpractice cases, we are here to guide you through this challenging time and protect your rights every step of the way.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, causing harm to the patient. This standard refers to the level of care a reasonably skilled provider in the same field would deliver under similar circumstances. When a provider’s actions or inactions deviate from this standard, and harm results, it may constitute medical malpractice.

Examples of malpractice include surgical errors, where a provider operates on the wrong site or leaves surgical tools inside the patient. Delayed diagnoses of serious illnesses, such as cancer, can result in the loss of critical treatment opportunities, worsening the patient’s condition. Birth injuries, such as brachial plexus damage during delivery, and medication mistakes, like prescribing the wrong dosage, are also common types of negligence.

Victims of medical negligence deserve justice for the harm caused to them or their loved ones. Pikesville medical negligence attorneys specialize in investigating these cases, gathering evidence, and working to hold negligent providers accountable. Their expertise ensures that patients can pursue compensation and move forward with confidence.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases in Pikesville

Medical malpractice cases in Pikesville span a wide range of errors, from hospital negligence to private practice mistakes. These errors often have devastating consequences for patients, affecting their physical health, emotional well-being, and financial stability. Each type of malpractice case presents unique challenges, requiring specialized legal expertise to address.

Pikesville hospital malpractice lawyers are skilled in handling claims involving systemic issues, such as understaffing or inadequate training. In private practices, cases often involve individual physician errors, such as failing to order necessary tests or misinterpreting results. No matter where the negligence occurs, victims need experienced legal support to address the harm caused. Examples of common malpractice cases include:

• Birth injuries – Harm caused to the baby or mother due to negligent delivery techniques or failure to address complications. These cases often result in lifelong disabilities, such as cerebral palsy or developmental delays.
• Medication mistakes – Errors in prescribing or administering drugs, such as incorrect dosages or failing to check for harmful drug interactions. These mistakes can result in severe allergic reactions or overdoses.
• Surgical errors – Mistakes during procedures, including wrong-site surgery or leaving instruments inside the patient. These errors often lead to additional surgeries and prolonged recovery and, in some cases, permanent disability.
• Diagnostic failures – Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of conditions like cancer or heart disease, causing preventable complications or death. Proper testing and attention to symptoms are essential to avoid these errors.

How a Pikesville Medical Malpractice Law Firm Can Help You

A Pikesville medical malpractice law firm provides critical support for victims seeking justice and compensation. Attorneys investigate claims thoroughly, examining medical records, consulting with experts, and identifying how the provider’s actions deviated from the standard of care. This detailed approach is essential to building a strong case.

In addition to investigating claims, attorneys handle negotiations with insurance companies to secure fair settlements. If necessary, they are prepared to take cases to court, advocating fiercely for their clients’ rights. Their role is to alleviate the legal burden on victims, allowing them to focus on recovery while ensuring their case receives the attention it deserves.

The best medical malpractice lawyers in Pikesville are committed to guiding clients through every step of the legal process. Their dedication ensures that victims and their families receive compassionate support and skilled representation. With their help, victims can pursue the compensation needed to rebuild their lives.

Unique Challenges of Medical Malpractice Cases in Pikesville

Medical malpractice cases in Pikesville present specific challenges, such as interpreting hospital policies and addressing corporate insurance defenses. Hospitals often have extensive internal procedures, which can complicate evidence collection and prolong investigations. Additionally, victims may encounter institutional resistance when attempting to hold healthcare providers accountable for negligence. Examples of these unique challenges include:

• Corporate defenses – Large hospital networks often employ aggressive legal teams to minimize liability and protect their reputation. This requires attorneys experienced in countering such tactics. These teams may attempt to delay proceedings or shift blame, making it essential to act quickly and build a robust case.
• Accessing medical records – Obtaining comprehensive documentation can be difficult due to bureaucracy or intentional delays by healthcare providers. Missing records or incomplete files can hinder a victim’s ability to prove negligence and demand justice.

Reassuringly, our attorneys in Pikesville have a proven track record of overcoming these challenges. By leveraging their local knowledge and legal expertise, they have successfully navigated complex cases to achieve favorable outcomes.

Steps to Take If You Suspect Medical Negligence

If you suspect you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence in Pikesville, acting promptly can significantly strengthen your case. Following clear, actionable steps can preserve vital evidence and safeguard your rights. Steps to take when you suspect medical negligence include:

1. Contact legal help for medical negligence in Pikesville

Consulting a qualified attorney is critical for navigating the complexities of a medical malpractice claim. Experienced lawyers can analyze your case, gather evidence, and pursue compensation on your behalf. 

2. Request and review your medical records

Medical records are often the cornerstone of a malpractice case. Your lawyer will collect documentation from every provider involved in your care, ensuring it includes treatment plans, test results, and procedural notes. Reviewing these records may reveal discrepancies, such as deviations from standard practices or incomplete treatments. If accessing records proves challenging, an attorney can help obtain them through legal channels.

3. Seek a second opinion from a medical professional

A second opinion can confirm whether negligence occurred and provide insight into how it impacted your health. Choose a provider unaffiliated with the original facility to ensure impartiality. This step can help identify specific errors, such as misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or surgical mistakes. Documenting the second opinion strengthens your claim by offering expert validation of the harm caused.

Our team specializes in addressing malpractice cases in Pikesville, using local knowledge to build effective legal strategies. Acting promptly ensures deadlines are met and essential evidence is preserved. By taking these steps, you can empower yourself to hold negligent providers accountable and pursue justice for the harm you’ve endured.

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Medical Malpractice Case?

Victims of medical malpractice in Pikesville may be entitled to various forms of compensation to address the physical, emotional, and financial burdens caused by negligence. Understanding the types of damages available is crucial for ensuring all losses are accounted for. Types of compensation you may be able to recover include:

• Economic damages – These include quantifiable expenses, such as medical bills, lost income, and future healthcare costs. Victims often face unexpected costs for corrective surgeries, ongoing treatments, or rehabilitation programs. Lost income or diminished earning capacity can add financial strain, especially when injuries prevent a return to work.
• Non-economic damages – These address intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life. The emotional toll of medical negligence can significantly impact a victim’s mental well-being and relationships. Compensation for loss of enjoyment of life acknowledges how injuries affect daily activities, hobbies, and family dynamics.

Factors that impact the amount of compensation you may be able to recover include:

• Severity of harm – Cases involving permanent disabilities or long-term care needs often result in higher awards.
• Proof of negligence – Strong evidence, such as expert testimony, strengthens the likelihood of securing full compensation.

Our Pikesville medical malpractice lawyers are dedicated to pursuing the maximum compensation available. By thoroughly evaluating your losses and future needs, we ensure that your claim addresses the full scope of your damages.

The Role of Pikesville Hospital Malpractice Lawyers

Pursuing a claim against a hospital presents unique challenges, from understanding internal policies to addressing systemic issues like understaffing or inadequate training. Hospitals often have corporate insurance providers with teams of lawyers dedicated to minimizing liability. Our firm’s attorneys have extensive experience overcoming these obstacles, ensuring clients’ voices are heard and their rights are protected.

For example, in a recent case, our team successfully overcame a hospital’s defense by obtaining internal staff schedules that revealed chronic understaffing during critical patient care periods. These records proved systemic negligence, strengthening our client’s claim. By holding hospitals accountable, we work to secure justice and drive improvements in patient safety. Key strategies we use in hospital malpractice cases include:

• Accessing internal records – Reviewing staff schedules, training documents, and incident reports for evidence of negligence.
• Countering insurance defenses – Leveraging expert testimony and case precedents to refute hospital arguments.
• Advocating for systemic change – Addressing issues like outdated protocols or lack of safety measures to protect future patients.

Why Choose Us as Your Best Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Pikesville

Our firm’s reputation for excellence in medical malpractice cases speaks to our commitment to achieving justice for victims of negligence. With decades of experience and a proven record of success, we bring unparalleled expertise to every case. Clients benefit from our personalized approach, which includes crafting strategies tailored to their unique circumstances.

What sets us apart is our dedication to uncovering every detail of a case. We collaborate with medical experts, investigators, and specialists to build comprehensive claims. For instance, our team once exposed a hospital’s failure to maintain equipment by consulting with engineers and presenting detailed evidence in court. This level of thoroughness makes us a trusted advocate for victims of medical malpractice. Why families in Pikesville choose us:

• Proven results – Securing significant settlements and verdicts for malpractice victims.
• Client-centered care – Ensuring every client feels heard and supported throughout their case.
• Expert collaboration – Partnering with leading professionals to strengthen claims and maximize outcomes.

Pikesville Medical Malpractice FAQs

We understand that victims of medical negligence often have many questions about their legal rights. Below, we address some of the most common concerns for those pursuing malpractice claims in Pikesville.

What is the time limit for filing a medical malpractice claim in Maryland?

Victims typically have three years from the discovery of the injury to file a claim, with an absolute cap of five years from the date the malpractice occurred, whichever is sooner, as outlined in Maryland Code, Courts and Judicial Proceedings § 5-109. Acting quickly allows your attorney to gather evidence and meet strict deadlines.

How do I prove negligence in a medical malpractice case?

Proving negligence requires showing that the provider failed to meet the standard of care expected in their profession. Attorneys rely on expert testimony, detailed medical records, and evidence of procedural errors to establish this failure and its impact on the victim.

What if the hospital denies responsibility?

Hospitals often argue that their actions met the standard of care or blame other parties for the harm caused. Experienced lawyers can counter these defenses by gathering internal documents, consulting with medical experts, and identifying gaps in the hospital’s safety protocols.

Can I pursue a claim if I signed a consent form?

Yes, signing a consent form does not waive your right to file a malpractice claim. Consent forms do not excuse negligence, such as failing to monitor a patient during surgery or administering the wrong medication. Attorneys can review the circumstances of your case to determine if malpractice occurred despite the signed form.

Get Help From Our Trial-Tested Medical Negligence Attorneys in Pikesville Today

If medical negligence has left you with life-changing injuries, you deserve trusted legal guidance to protect your rights. A skilled Pikesville medical negligence lawyer with Schochor, Staton, Goldberg and Cardea, P.A. will work tirelessly to uncover the truth and pursue fair compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and explore how we can support you during this challenging time.