Timonium, Maryland Medical Negligence Injury Attorneys

Lawyers for Birth Injuries, Nursing Home Negligence, and Other Medical Malpractice Cases in Timonium

When people receive medical care for illnesses or injuries, they should be provided with the proper treatment, and medical professionals should make sure the right procedures are followed to protect against harm. In some cases, medical providers may fail to provide the proper care, or they may make mistakes that could lead to serious injuries for patients. Medical negligence can leave a patient with serious health issues that could require years of additional care or result in permanent disabilities.

Medical malpractice claims can address the injuries, damages, and financial losses that patients have suffered because of negligence by doctors, nurses, or other providers. At Silverman Thompson, our lawyers work with people in Timonium who have been harmed by medical negligence, helping them obtain financial compensation for the injuries that have affected them and their families. We know how to hold negligent providers accountable for the injuries they have caused and the effects that these issues have had on patients' lives.

Birth Injuries During Labor and Delivery

During childbirth, a mother and child will need to receive continuous monitoring, and immediate steps should be taken to address potential issues that could affect the health of a child or mother. Obstetricians, labor and delivery nurses, anesthesiologists, and other professionals who provide care during or after childbirth may make harmful errors that can lead to serious birth injuries and lifelong health issues.

Brain Injuries and Cerebral Palsy

Some of the most serious issues that can occur during labor and delivery will be related to oxygen deprivation. A baby's brain may not receive enough oxygen due to fetal distress, a pinched or knotted umbilical cord, or problems during delivery. A lack of oxygen can have a permanent effect on a child's brain, and it may lead to cerebral palsy, a condition that may require lifelong medical care, therapy, and support.

Other forms of negligence during delivery that may lead to brain injuries may involve the improper use of forceps or vacuum extractors. When too much force is used during delivery, issues such as bleeding in the brain or skull fractures may occur. If these injuries are not addressed correctly, they can cause serious damage to a child's brain.

Injuries to the Mother During Childbirth

Mothers may also be at risk of injuries due to negligence during labor and delivery. A mother may experience severe bleeding following delivery, and providers will need to recognize this issue and take steps to prevent serious or permanent injuries. A mother may suffer harm because of a failure to monitor for signs of excessive blood loss or delayed treatment for a hemorrhage.

Preeclampsia is another serious concern that may affect mothers during pregnancy and childbirth. A mother may experience high blood pressure that could lead to organ damage and other serious injuries. If a provider fails to monitor blood pressure, does not recognize the signs of preeclampsia, or does not take the proper steps to address these issues, a mother may experience seizures, stroke, or even death.

Intubation Errors

During surgical procedures, in emergency rooms, or in intensive care units, patients may be intubated to ensure that they will receive oxygen. When intubation errors occur, a patient can suffer serious harm. In an esophageal intubation, a breathing tube may be placed in the esophagus rather than the trachea, which will prevent a patient from receiving oxygen. This can result in serious brain injuries or death.

Other injuries related to intubation may include trauma to the teeth, lips, vocal cords, or trachea during the procedure. A tube may be placed too deep, causing damage to the lungs. Delayed intubation during emergency situations can put a patient's life at risk.

Defective Medical Devices

Patients may sometimes be injured by medical devices used during treatment. Hip and knee replacement implants, surgical mesh, spinal cord stimulators, pacemakers, insulin pumps, or catheters may malfunction and put the life and health of patients at risk. In these cases, the manufacturer of a defective device may be held liable, or a provider who used a device incorrectly may be found to be responsible for a patient's injuries.

Nursing Home Negligence

Older adults and people with disabilities who live in nursing homes and long-term care facilities should be provided with medical care, supervision, and assistance. Negligence in nursing homes can affect a person's ability to receive nutrition and hydration, their hygiene, their safety, and their overall health. When facilities are understaffed, fail to train employees correctly, or do not monitor patients and provide medical treatment when needed, residents can suffer serious harm.

Bedsores are a common result of nursing home negligence. These wounds can develop when a person is left in the same position for a long period of time. These sores can become infected, and surgical procedures may be needed to correct the damage.

Falls are another common cause of injuries in nursing homes. Residents should be provided with supervision, assistive equipment, and help as needed when getting into or out of bed or moving through a facility. Falls may occur if patients are not supervised correctly or because of hazards in a nursing home, and they can lead to hip fractures, traumatic brain injuries, or other serious injuries.

Other issues that can affect nursing home patients include medication errors, a lack of medical care, and malnutrition and dehydration. Injuries may also occur because of abuse by staff members or other parties, including physical abuse, improper restraints, verbal or emotional abuse, or sexual abuse.

Surgical Errors

During surgery, patients can suffer injuries because of mistakes by surgeons, failure to monitor their vital signs, or other forms of negligence. Surgeons may perform procedures incorrectly and damage blood vessels, nerves, or organs. Objects may be left in a person's body, leading to infections or other health issues. Some patients may even suffer harm due to surgeries being performed on the wrong parts of their bodies.

Negligence may also occur during post-operative care. Staff members at a hospital may fail to monitor a patient for signs of infection or internal bleeding, or they may fail to recognize other complications. Patients may suffer harm if they are sent home before they have fully recovered rather than remaining in a facility where they could have received the proper monitoring and treatment.

Medication and Anesthesia Errors

There are multiple types of errors related to medications that can affect patients. A doctor or other medical provider may prescribe the wrong drug or make other errors when writing a prescription. A pharmacy may dispense the wrong medication, or nurses in hospitals or other settings may administer drugs incorrectly. These issues can lead to incorrect dosages, harmful allergic reactions, or other issues that could affect a patient's health.

Medication errors involving anesthesia can be especially harmful. Administering an excessive dose can cause cardiovascular problems, brain damage, or death. If a person receives too little anesthesia, they may become conscious during surgery or experience high levels of pain. Failure to monitor oxygen levels or delays in responding to complications related to anesthesia can also lead to serious injuries for patients.

Contact Our Timonium, MD Medical Negligence Lawyers

When you have been harmed because of the negligence of a healthcare provider, the lawyers at Silverman Thompson can help you understand your options and take steps to achieve justice. We will help you determine who was responsible, and we will work to ensure that you can recover compensation for your damages. Contact our Timonium medical malpractice attorneys at 410-385-2225 and arrange your free consultation today.