Allergist or Immunologist Malpractice

Allergies are caused by extreme immune sensitivity to a generally harmless substance. They can cause a variety of issues, including rashes, difficulty breathing, asthma, and anaphylaxis. People who suffer from allergies typically seek treatment from allergists, also known as immunologists, and are often able to substantially alleviate their symptoms. When a doctor specializing in the treatment of allergies fails to provide a patient with a proper diagnosis or treatment, however, it can lead to serious harm. If you sustained injuries due to allergist or immunologist malpractice, you have the right to seek compensation, and you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are proficient at navigating the complexities of lawsuits against healthcare providers, and we can advise you of your potential claims and gather the evidence needed to afford you a strong chance of a successful outcome.

A variety of environmental factors can cause allergies, including pollen, medication, food, and insects. Symptoms of allergic reactions may range from relatively mild, like red or itchy eyes, sneezing, and congestion, to severe, like anaphylaxis, which can cause constriction of the airways, low blood pressure, coma, and in extreme cases, death. Allergies are usually diagnosed via skin or blood tests, and an accurate diagnosis is essential to the effective management of symptoms. Treatment includes medication, immunotherapy, and counseling patients regarding avoidance of allergens.

People injured by incompetent medical care has the right to pursue damages from the parties responsible for their harm. Typically, this is done via a medical malpractice lawsuit in which the plaintiff argues the defendant acted negligently. In Maryland, to prove negligence, a plaintiff must establish that the defendant had a duty to comply with the relevant standard of care. The standard of care imposed on the defendant is the treatment that a reasonable healthcare provider in the same field would offer in the same situation.

The plaintiff then has to prove that the defendant’s acts or omissions demonstrate a departure from the standard. For example, if a competent allergist would perform patch testing when a patient appears to be allergic to a drug and the defendant failed to do so, it may constitute a breach of the standard of care. Generally, as the standard of care that applies to a doctor is beyond the average person's knowledge, the plaintiff must hire an expert to explain both the standard and the defendant’s breach to the judge or jury. Finally, the plaintiff has to demonstrate that the defendant’s breach proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer quantifiable harm. This is typically accomplished via expert testimony as well.

Parties that successfully demonstrate they were harmed by allergist or immunologist malpractice are typically awarded compensation for their losses. For example, they may be able to recover the cost of any medical treatment they had to undergo due to their doctors’ negligence, as well as the cost of any care they will need in the future. If their injuries rendered them either temporarily or permanently unable to work, they might also be granted damages for lost wages or loss of earning capacity. In addition to redress for their economic harm, plaintiffs in malpractice cases are frequently awarded compensation for their intangible wounds as well, like the mental anguish, suffering, and pain they endured because of the defendants’ reckless acts.

While some allergies only cause minor symptoms, others can trigger life-threatening reactions. As such, a person with allergies needs to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. If you were hurt by allergist or immunologist malpractice, you might be owed damages, and you should confer with an attorney about your rights. The trusted Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group possess the skills and resources required to hold careless doctors accountable for the harm they cause, and if you retain us, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf. We regularly represent injured parties in medical malpractice claims in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us through our form online or at (410) 889-1850 to schedule a meeting.