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.