Wrongful Death Caused by Medical Malpractice

The loss of a loved one due to medical negligence is a tragedy that no family should endure. In the United States, medical errors contribute to over 250,000 deaths per year, surpassing respiratory disease as the third leading cause of death. In Maryland, wrongful death claims due to medical malpractice allow families to seek justice and accountability when a healthcare provider’s negligence leads to a preventable death. A Prince George’s County wrongful death lawyer at Foran & Foran, P.A. can guide families through this challenging time, helping them hold the responsible parties accountable. By pursuing justice, families honor their loved one’s memory and seek accountability for the preventable error.

Wrongful death cases due to medical negligence require thorough investigation and a compassionate approach. Foran & Foran’s attorneys support families by handling all aspects of the claim, from gathering evidence to seeking compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and the pain endured. In addition to helping families, these cases emphasize the importance of care improvements to prevent other devastating outcomes, such as post-operative complications and other preventable harm.

Medical malpractice encompasses a range of errors, from misdiagnoses to surgical mistakes, each of which can have devastating consequences. Certain types of medical mistakes are prevalent in wrongful death cases, as these types of negligence have high risks of resulting in severe or fatal harm.

Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis

Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis is one of the most frequent causes of wrongful death in medical malpractice cases, accounting for nearly 32% of all claims. Failure to identify a serious illness, such as cancer or heart disease, can lead to missed treatment opportunities and life-threatening disease progression. In cases where timely intervention could have saved a life, families may pursue a wrongful death claim to hold healthcare providers accountable for their oversight.

Surgical Errors

Surgical errors represent about 25% of all medical malpractice claims and can result in severe harm or death. Common mistakes include performing surgery on the wrong site, leaving surgical instruments in the body, or causing unintended damage to surrounding organs. The operating room is an environment where precision is critical, and any lapse can be fatal. In cases of wrongful death due to surgical errors, families can seek compensation for the medical expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering caused by the loss.

Prescription and Medication Errors

Each year, medication errors harm around 1.5 million people in the United States, resulting in an estimated $3.5 billion in damages. From administering the wrong dose to prescribing a dangerous medication, these mistakes can have severe consequences, particularly for vulnerable patients. Fatalities related to prescription errors often involve preventable missteps, such as miscommunication between healthcare providers or failure to review patient histories for potential interactions.

Anesthesia Errors

Anesthesia errors, though less common, account for approximately 2.7% of medical malpractice claims. These errors can include improper dosage, failure to monitor vital signs, or delayed response to complications. Because anesthesia affects the central nervous system, any error in its administration can lead to oxygen deprivation, brain damage, or death. Families of patients who suffer a fatal anesthesia error may file a wrongful death claim to seek justice for their loved ones.

These malpractice cases underscore the need for accountability in the healthcare system, as each represents a situation where careful attention to detail could have prevented a tragic outcome.

Families who lose a loved one due to medical malpractice have the option to pursue justice and accountability through a wrongful death claim. In Maryland, wrongful death and survival claims allow family members to seek compensation for both the economic and emotional damages resulting from their loss.

For a successful wrongful death claim, families need to show that the healthcare provider’s actions deviated from Maryland’s standard of care, directly leading to the fatal outcome. Establishing negligence typically involves gathering evidence like medical records and expert opinions and thoroughly examining the provider’s decisions and actions.

In Maryland, wrongful death claims can provide families with compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Recoverable damages may include medical and funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by family members. This financial support can help ease the immediate burden of losing a loved one and provide a foundation for long-term stability.

Wrongful death claims not only offer families a path to justice but also serve as a reminder of the importance of accountability within healthcare. Holding providers responsible for preventable errors helps reinforce patient safety standards across the medical community.

Losing a loved one due to a preventable medical error is a heartbreaking experience that no family should endure. At Foran & Foran, we are here to provide compassionate support and relentless advocacy for families affected by wrongful death from medical malpractice. With a history of obtaining significant settlements and verdicts, we are dedicated to holding healthcare providers accountable and helping you find justice. Our contingency fee arrangement ensures you don’t pay unless we secure compensation for your family. For a free consultation, call Foran & Foran at 301-441-2022. We proudly serve clients in Hyattsville, Bowie, Upper Marlboro, Waldorf, La Plata, Silver Spring, Rockville, and nearby areas.