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Mount Airy Medical Malpractice Attorney
Trusted Lawyer Investigating Medical Malpractice Claims in Mount Airy, MD
Attorney Spotlight A.J. Serafini
- Elite Lawyer, 2024 - Present
- Super Lawyers Rising Stars, 2021 - Present
- The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100
- Herald-Mail Readers' Choice Award for Best Attorney, 2018
- Herald-Mail Media's "Best of the Tri-state", 2019 and 2020
When a medical provider causes a patient to suffer preventable harm due to their own carelessness, the patient may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice claim. These claims often involve highly technical evidence, with a high burden of proof placed on the victim. If you or someone you care about is pursuing a medical malpractice claim, be sure to seek legal representation early on. Call a Mount Airy, MD medical malpractice lawyer today.
At Serafini Law, we know how serious medical malpractice cases can be, especially when a patient's health is on the line. In past cases, we have secured millions through hard-fought verdicts and settlements, so you can trust Attorney Andrew Serafini to be your toughest advocate in a medical malpractice claim.
GET JUSTICE FOR YOUR INJURIES –– CALL 240-744-1600
Representing Injured Infants and Mothers in Birth Injury Claims
Birth injury claims can involve harm to the baby, the mother, or both. Families in Mount Airy trust doctors, nurses, and midwives to watch closely for warning signs during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. Unfortunately, these professionals do not always meet the acceptable standard of care.
Infants can suffer injuries such as cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, skull fractures, and brain damage from a lack of oxygen. These injuries may stem from a delayed emergency C-section, excessive pulling during delivery, or a failure to respond to an abnormal fetal heart rate.
Mothers can also be harmed through untreated preeclampsia, uncontrolled bleeding after birth, uterine tears, or infections that go undetected. Our attorney represents both infants and mothers, and a single claim may address the losses each one has suffered. The costs of raising a child with a permanent disability can be enormous, so these cases often require detailed planning for decades of future care.
When Can You Hold a Hospital Liable for Medical Malpractice?
Holding a hospital liable for medical malpractice often depends on the relationship between the hospital and the person who made the error. A hospital is generally responsible for the negligence of its employees, such as staff nurses, technicians, and pharmacists.
Doctors are a more complicated issue. Many physicians work as independent contractors rather than hospital employees. Even so, a hospital may still face liability if it led a patient to reasonably believe the doctor was acting on its behalf. A hospital can also be directly at fault for its own failures. These can include poor staffing, weak safety policies, faulty equipment, or granting privileges to a doctor with a history of dangerous care.
What Losses Can You Be Paid for in a Maryland Medical Malpractice Claim?
Losses you can be paid for in a Maryland medical malpractice claim generally fall into economic and non-economic categories. Economic losses include past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation, medical equipment, home modifications, and in-home nursing care. Patients who can no longer work or who must take a lower-paying job may also recover lost wages and reduced earning capacity.
Non-economic losses cover the personal toll of the injury. These include physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and the loss of activities and relationships that once gave life meaning. Maryland limits the amount a patient can recover for these losses in medical malpractice cases, and that limit changes each year. When a medical error results in a casualty, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim for their own losses, such as lost financial support and companionship.
What Is My
Case Worth? Let's Find Out
The value of a personal injury case depends on factors like the severity of your injuries, the impact on your ability to work, and medical expenses. At Serafini Law, we evaluate each case to determine the potential compensation, including:
- Medical Expenses Coverage for past and future medical bills related to your injury.
- Lost Wages Compensation for the income you have lost due to your inability to work.
- Pain & Suffering Financial compensation for physical and emotional distress.
- Property Damage Reimbursement for damage to your vehicle or other property.
- Punitive Damages In cases of extreme negligence, additional compensation may be awarded as a form of punishment.
Think you
have a case?
Mr. Serafini was great about keeping us informed every step of the process of our case. He was always available to answer our emails or phone calls with concerns or questions. Mr. Serafini's Paralegal, Joanne, was also ex-tremely helpful and responded quickly to our concerns. Serifini Law shows their clients compassionate understanding.
Medical Malpractice Claims Involving Doctors and Surgeons
Medical malpractice claims involving doctors and surgeons can arise at nearly any stage of treatment. A primary care doctor may dismiss symptoms that point to cancer, heart disease, or a serious infection. A specialist may misread a biopsy or an imaging scan.
Surgeons carry especially high responsibility for a patient's health and safety. Errors in the operating room can include damaging nearby tissue, performing an unnecessary procedure, or failing to stop internal bleeding. Doctors and surgeons must also explain the known risks of a treatment before a patient agrees to it. A physician who skips this step may be liable if an undisclosed risk later causes harm.
Injured? Call 240-744-1600 Now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Malpractice in Mount Airy
A certificate of merit is a written statement from a qualified medical expert confirming that a provider failed to meet the standard of care and that this failure caused the patient's injury. In Maryland, this document is formally called a certificate of qualified expert. It is important to a medical malpractice claim since the case can be dismissed if the certificate is not filed on time.
Witness statements can strengthen a medical malpractice claim by helping fill in gaps that medical records leave out. Family members who were present may recall what a doctor said, how long a patient waited, or whether complaints of pain were ignored. Expert witnesses play a separate role by explaining how the care fell short.
Whether you should accept a settlement for a medical malpractice claim depends on whether the offer fully covers your current and future losses. Once you accept a settlement, you generally cannot ask for more money later, even if your condition worsens. Settlements involving a minor may also require court approval in Maryland. Reviewing any offer with an attorney before signing can help you avoid an agreement you later regret.
Interested in Filing a Lawsuit for Medical Malpractice in Mount Airy?
Filing a lawsuit for medical malpractice in Mount Airy starts with understanding where the case belongs. Mount Airy spans parts of both Carroll County and Frederick County, and the proper venue may depend on where the treatment took place. Maryland also requires many medical malpractice claims to be filed first with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office. Either side can waive this arbitration process, which allows the case to proceed in circuit court. Frederick County cases are heard at the following location:
- 100 W. Patrick Street, Frederick, MD 21701
Meet With a Mount Airy, Maryland Medical Malpractice Lawyer
A medical provider's mistake can leave you with life-altering damages. At Serafini Law, we take the time to uncover what happened and fight to hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact our Mount Airy, MD medical malpractice attorney or call 240-744-1600 to set up a free consultation.
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