Howard County Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Recover What You Need to Fully Recover from Poor Medical Care in Columbia, MD
During a medical procedure doctors and surgeons are trusted to make very difficult snap decisions. Often split-second choices are the difference between successful treatment/surgery and devastating injury or illness due to medical malpractice.
While there are plenty of assumed risks when undergoing a procedure, not all errors made by doctors are simply due to uncontrollable factors. If you were injured because of poor medical care, call the Maryland medical malpractice lawyers at Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake today. During our free consultation, we can help you understand your case and how to proceed.
Dial (410) 927-5137 now and schedule your free initial consultation. Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake collects no fee unless we help you win a settlement.
What is Considered Medical Malpractice in Maryland?
Medical malpractice in Maryland is generally defined as a situation where a healthcare provider fails to meet the standard of care that a reasonably competent professional in the same field and under similar circumstances would provide, resulting in harm to the patient.
The following elements are typically required to establish a medical malpractice claim in Maryland:
- Duty of Care: The healthcare provider had a duty to provide care to the patient. This is usually established once a provider-patient relationship is formed.
- Breach of Duty: The healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care, meaning they acted (or failed to act) in a way that a competent provider in the same field would not have under the same circumstances.
- Injury or Harm: The patient must have suffered harm or injury. This harm can be physical, emotional, or financial (such as extra medical bills).
- Causation: There must be a direct link between the provider's breach of duty and the patient's injury. In other words, the harm would not have occurred if the provider had met the standard of care.
In Maryland, there's also a requirement for a certificate of merit: plaintiffs need to obtain a statement from a medical expert asserting that the healthcare provider deviated from the standard of care before they can file a lawsuit. Always consult with a legal professional if you believe you've been a victim of medical malpractice.
Holding Medical Professionals Responsible
If a medical procedure goes awry because of a doctor’s negligence, the injured party should be compensated. Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake is a boutique firm that hand selects Maryland medical malpractice cases.
See Why We're the Right Choice
Reasons to Choose Our Firm
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We approach every case as a team.
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Every initial consultation is free and no-obligation.
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We are available for you 24/7.
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We are a team of former prosecutors and know how the other side thinks.
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We have in-house payment plan options on qualifying cases.
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We are highly recommended and awarded by various associations.
A High-Quality Reputation
Read Reviews from Real People
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"Mr. Lake's reputation for integrity, diligence and competence which he earned as a former Assistant States Attorney and while he has been in private practice aided him in achieving the result he did."I am a retired Attorney who recommended a personal friend to Justin Lake. I received his name by speaking with an old friend of mine who is still considered one of the top criminal lawyers in Maryland. My friend was clearly guilty of driving while impaired as was evidenced by a video taken at the scene by the investigating officer and the fact that he failed the breathalyzer test. A verdict of Probation Before Judgement or Guilty would have been life altering for him and his family in that it could have resulted in his deportation from this Country and the absolute prohibition of his being able to apply for admission of his family in to the United States. My friend had learned that he had been granted asylum three days before he was charged. Aside from that charge he had an impeccable record. He is employed by a continuing care community where his service is valued which is evidenced by the excellent job reviews he has consistently received. Mr. Lake was engaged to represent him and charged a fee customary for representing someone charged with such an infraction. I know from my experience that he expended far more time on the case than he was compensated for, but he did not ask for an increase in the fee. He spoke multiple times with an Assistant State's Attorney of the County as well as the States Attorney, removed the case to a higher Court and with the Assistant State's Attorney met with the Circuit Court Judge of the County. At that meeting Mr. Lake introduced a legal opinion prepared by my friend's immigration attorneys with whom he conferred which set forth the aforementioned consequences that would ensue were any judgment aside from a PBJ(C) entered. It is the only judgment that would not impact his and his family's immigration status. Such a judgment is extremely rare. I am of the opinion that Mr. Lake's reputation for integrity, diligence and competence which he earned as a former Assistant States Attorney and while he has been in private practice aided him in achieving the result he did.- Rosser
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"Will Be In Good Hands"I never hesitate to refer any potential clients with criminal defense needs to Justin Lake or David Zwanetz- Joe M.
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"Easy to work with"Prompt, professional, and easy to work with as a client.- Zach S.
At Shapiro Zwanetz & Lake (SZL) we believe in thinking differently from most lawyers and law firms. We help our clients understand and accept their legal situation; we work with them to confront and improve that situation, while seeking the best outcome available at law. We recognize that each client is a unique individual, each deserving of the highest client/customer service; and we just happen to get our clients excellent results while we deliver that exceptional service.
Maryland Medical Misdiagnosis Lawsuits
A doctor’s misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose an existing medical condition can have disastrous effects. The most common medical mistakes include the misdiagnosis of symptoms, the failure to diagnose a condition, and the improper prescription of medication.
When warning signs or symptoms of an illness or medical condition are present, it is imperative that a doctor promptly recognize those symptoms and make a prompt and correct diagnosis.
A delay in diagnosis or misdiagnosis of a medical condition can prevent a patient from seeking necessary diagnostic testing and may significantly impact recovery time. This is especially true in cases of cancer cases or other such conditions where early treatment is of paramount importance.
