When pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit, one of the most critical questions on a plaintiff’s mind is, “How much is my claim worth?” Fortunately, a medical malpractice attorney in Baltimore can guide how best to pursue a compensation claim, ensuring you receive the full amount you are entitled to. Below are crucial details and facts to help you understand how much your medical malpractice claim may be worth if your doctor or GP makes a mistake.
Ask a Medical Malpractice Attorney in Baltimore, MD: How Much Is My Claim Worth?
Medical malpractice cases, on average, yield a significantly more substantial settlement than other types of personal injury claims. The median settlement value for medical malpractice in the United States is $249,500. If a medical malpractice case goes to trial and the plaintiff succeeds in their claim, the average verdict awarded is slightly more than $1 million. There are various payout options available after achieving such an outstanding verdict.
Maryland
In Maryland, the average settlement value for such lawsuits is between $396,500 and $469,600, about 30% higher than the national average. In specific Maryland jurisdictions, the average settlement is notably higher. The average payout for a medical malpractice lawsuit in Baltimore, MD, is 44% higher than the national average. Many experienced medical malpractice lawyers in Baltimore can help fight for your rights. For more information, click here.
Examples of Malpractice Settlement Amounts
Each case is unique, and the compensation amount will vary greatly. However, here are some general figures that can help you determine how much compensation you may be entitled to.
$0 – $10,000
These minor cases may involve allergic reactions or improper injection resulting in minor harm, usually resolved with minimal intervention.
$10,000 – $30,000
Short-term disabilities, usually lasting a few months, can result from improper treatment or negligence. Causes can include surgical errors or missed diagnoses requiring further treatment and temporary work absences.
$30,000 – $100,000
In these cases, patients often require rehabilitation or surgeries. Instances might include delayed diagnoses leading to prolonged suffering, misdiagnoses resulting in unnecessary procedures, or errors in postoperative care that demand additional treatment.
$100,000 – $500,000
More severe malpractice situations fall within this range. These cases involve mistakes that lead to long-term chronic pain, miscarriage, unnecessary amputations, fertility struggles, and other serious injuries or infections. The compensation accounts for the harm caused and the emotional and financial impact on the patient’s life.
$1,000,000+
Permanent injuries resulting from horrible medical errors or blatant disregard for patient safety are awarded settlements of this magnitude. These cases involve perpetually disabling conditions, such as brain damage, paralysis, severe disfigurement, and wrongful death.
Common Types of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare professional deviates from the standard of care, leading to patient harm. Patients can file several common types of medical malpractice claims against medical providers.
Medication Errors
One common type of pharmaceutical error is the prescription of the wrong medication. This can occur due to illegible handwriting, miscommunication between healthcare providers, or confusion over drug names that sound or look similar. For instance, a doctor might accidentally prescribe a patient “Celebrex” for pain relief when they intend to prescribe “Celexa” for depression. Drug interactions and dosage miscalculations are also common medication errors.
Misdiagnosis
This malpractice occurs in various forms, such as failure to diagnose, delay in diagnosis, and incorrect diagnosis. Failure to diagnose is when a medical professional overlooks a patient’s symptoms, resulting in unnecessary treatment. This negligence can worsen the patient’s condition, causing further complications and potentially fatal outcomes.
A delay in diagnosis occurs when a medical professional takes an unnecessarily long time to identify a patient’s condition. This delay may stem from miscommunication, failure to order proper testing, or overlooking critical patient information. The increased time for proper treatment can exacerbate the illness, leading to a decreased quality of life for the patient and, in severe cases, death.
Birth Injury
This type of injury may result from improper care or negligence by healthcare professionals during pregnancy or childbirth, leading to severe complications for the mother and child. One such complication is shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulders become lodged behind the mother’s pelvic bone during delivery. Uterine rupture, another serious complication, occurs when the uterus tears during labor. This can cause life-threatening consequences for the mother, including severe blood loss.
When a placenta detaches (partly or completely) from the uterine wall before the baby is born, this detachment can lead to insufficient oxygen and nutrient supply to the unborn baby, causing premature birth, brain damage, or stillbirth. A medical malpractice attorney in Baltimore can help you pursue legal action against healthcare providers whose negligence caused a birth injury.
A medical malpractice attorney can offer great value in helping determine the worth of your claim. The lawyer can provide expert legal representation, thoroughly investigate the facts of your case, and use their expertise to ensure that you receive a fair settlement.