Gastroenterologist Malpractice

Gastroenterologists diagnose and treat digestive system disorders, including Crohn's disease, ulcers, and gastrointestinal cancers. Errors such as delayed diagnoses, incorrect treatments, or surgical mistakes can lead to bowel damage, chronic pain, and long-term health issues. In cases where medical negligence has worsened a patient's condition, the effects can be devastating.

At Foran & Foran, P.A., our experienced Prince George's gastroenterologist malpractice attorneys understand the impact of such errors. We are committed to thoroughly investigating your case, identifying the failures in care, and fighting for the compensation you deserve. Let us help you pursue justice and financial recovery for the harm you have endured. Contact us today for a consultation.

Gastroenterologists are entrusted with diagnosing and treating digestive system disorders, including conditions affecting the stomach, intestines, liver, and more. Routine procedures such as colonoscopies can be lifesaving when appropriately performed, helping to detect early signs of conditions like colon cancer. However, when gastroenterologists make errors in diagnosis or treatment, patients can face severe and sometimes life-threatening complications. In Maryland, victims of gastroenterologist malpractice may bring claims for delayed diagnoses, procedural errors, failure to monitor post-procedure conditions, or failure to refer patients to necessary specialists for further care.

Mistakes in gastroenterology can lead to devastating consequences, such as delayed treatment for serious conditions like colon cancer, Crohn's disease, or gastrointestinal bleeding. According to the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, more than 14 million colonoscopies are performed annually in the U.S. colonoscopy-related malpractice claims remain a significant contributor to lawsuits against gastroenterologists. These errors can result in unnecessary suffering, prolonged pain, or worsening of conditions that could have been treated earlier. Patients harmed by negligence may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional distress caused by delayed or improper treatment.

According to the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 65.9% of malpractice litigation in gastroenterology involves delayed diagnoses or treatment. Additionally, Gastroenterologists can make a variety of errors that lead to malpractice claims, including:

• Delayed diagnoses. Failure to diagnose conditions such as colon cancer or Crohn's disease promptly can have devastating consequences for the patient.
• Procedural errors. Colonoscopies and endoscopies are routine procedures that, when performed improperly, can lead to perforations, infections, or internal bleeding.
• Medication mistakes. Incorrect prescriptions or dosages that lead to severe complications.
• Failure to monitor. Neglecting to observe a patient after a procedure can result in further health issues.
• Failure to refer. Gastroenterologists are responsible for referring patients to specialists when necessary. Failure to do so can result in delayed or incorrect treatment.

Victims of these errors may face long-term medical complications, loss of income, and significant pain and suffering. A Prince George’s County medical negligence lawyer can help you recover the damages the law entitles.

In Maryland, proving liability in a gastroenterologist malpractice case involves demonstrating that the physician's negligence directly caused harm. For example, if a gastroenterologist fails to detect colon cancer early, resulting in the need for more aggressive and invasive treatment, the patient may suffer physically, emotionally, and financially.

These claims are often supported by expert testimony to establish that the physician's care was negligent and led to the patient's injuries. Medical experts, often other gastroenterologists, provide critical insights into how the standard of care was breached and how this breach directly caused harm to the patient. These experts review medical records, treatment decisions, and the timeline of care to illustrate how the physician's actions deviated from what a competent doctor would have done in a similar situation. Expert testimony is crucial in helping juries and judges understand the nuances of medical practice and how negligence contributed to the patient's suffering.

Patients affected by gastroenterologist malpractice may face long-term consequences, from physical suffering to financial strain. Proving negligence in these cases requires demonstrating a clear link between the gastroenterologist's failure and the resulting harm, ensuring that victims can pursue the compensation they deserve for their losses.

Foran & Foran has over 85 years of combined experience helping clients pursue justice in all types of medical malpractice cases, including those involving gastroenterologist negligence. We’re committed to fighting for your rights and have a history of obtaining seven-figure verdicts and settlements. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, give Foran & Foran's Prince George's County medical malpractice lawyers a call at 301-441-2022. We proudly represent clients in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and the surrounding areas.