Failure to Diagnose Meningitis

Meningitis is a serious condition that can cause permanent deficits in a relatively short time frame, and the rapid progression of the disease means that any delay in diagnosis significantly increases the risk of these life-altering complications. As such, the failure to diagnose meningitis can cause devastating harm. Doctors often neglect to identify the symptoms and signs of meningitis, though, or attribute them to other illnesses, inadvertently harming their patients via their carelessness. If you were harmed by a physician’s failure to diagnose meningitis, you may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit, and it is smart to speak with an attorney. The seasoned Prince George’s County medical malpractice attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A., are well-informed as to what it takes to hold reckless healthcare providers responsible for the harm they cause, and if we represent you, we will advocate zealously on your behalf.

Meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the protective membranes, known as the meninges, that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, with bacterial meningitis being the most severe form. Early signs and symptoms of meningitis often resemble those of the flu and may include a sudden onset of fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to light, confusion, and vomiting. In infants, symptoms might also include irritability, poor feeding, and a bulging fontanel.

Meningitis is typically diagnosed through a combination of clinical examination and diagnostic tests, such as a lumbar puncture to analyze cerebrospinal fluid, blood tests, and imaging studies like CT or MRI scans.

A missed or delayed meningitis diagnosis can lead to severe consequences, including brain damage, hearing loss, seizures, and even death. Such harm not only causes physical symptoms but can also diminish a person’s quality of life and ability to earn an income. Many people harmed by such oversights, therefore, will choose to pursue compensation via medical malpractice lawsuits against the parties responsible for their harm.

Generally, a plaintiff in a medical malpractice case will assert that the defendant was negligent. In Maryland, in order to prevail on a negligence claim, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a duty and that the defendant subsequently breached the duty owed. In medical malpractice claims, the duty arises out of the treatment relationship; generally, the duty is to abide by the prevailing standard of care, which is defined as what a competent professional in the same field would do in the same situation. In most cases, the plaintiff will need to hire a medical expert to explain the standard of care and how the defendant failed to uphold the standard.

After establishing the duty owed and a breach, the plaintiff has to show that the defendant’s breach caused them to suffer harm. While the defendant’s actions do not have to be the only cause of the plaintiff’s losses, they must be a significant factor in bringing them about.

A plaintiff who adequately demonstrates the defendant’s negligence may be able to recover damages for both their economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses typically include the cost of any past medical treatment or treatment that will be needed in the future, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs. Non-economic losses encompass mental anguish, pain, suffering, and trauma.

Meningitis is treatable, but when it goes undiagnosed and treatment is delayed, patient outcomes are often poor. If you sustained damages because of a doctor’s failure to diagnose meningitis, it is advisable to meet with an attorney to evaluate your potential claims. The experienced Prince George’s County medical malpractice attorneys of Foran & Foran, P.A., can evaluate your case and aid you in pursuing any damages recoverable under the law. We have an office in Greenbelt, Maryland, and we frequently represent parties in medical malpractice claims in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and other cities in Prince George’s County, Montgomery County, Charles County, and all counties in the State of Maryland. You can arrange a confidential and free conference by contacting us through our form online or by calling us at (301) 441-2022.