Failure To Diagnose and Treat Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria is a genetic disorder that requires an early diagnosis for optimal outcomes. When it goes unnoticed, phenylketonuria can result in severe intellectual disabilities and other injuries. As such, early detection of phenylketonuria early is crucial to preventing long-term complications. Sadly, though, doctors do not always take the measures necessary to diagnose and treat phenylketonuria, and their patients suffer harm as a result. Although financial compensation cannot reverse the damages caused by a healthcare provider’s negligence, people affected by a doctor's failure to diagnose and treat phenylketonuria may be able to recover damages for their losses. If you or a loved one sustained harm due to a physician's failure to diagnose and treat phenylketonuria, it is vital to consult with an attorney about your possible. The experienced Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at Arfaa Law Group can examine the circumstances surrounding your harm and gather the evidence needed to build a strong case.

Phenylketonuria is characterized by the inability to break down an amino acid called phenylalanine properly. Without treatment, phenylalanine builds up to toxic levels in the blood and brain, leading to intellectual disabilities and other neurological problems. Phenylketonuria is typically diagnosed following newborn screening tests that measure phenylalanine levels in the blood. Early treatment involves a strict diet that limits phenylalanine intake, often achieved through a specialized formula and carefully regulated low-protein diet. Regular monitoring of blood phenylalanine levels and nutritional support are essential to prevent complications and ensure optimal growth and development in individuals with phenylketonuria. If phenylketonuria is not properly managed, it can lead to intellectual disabilities, delayed development, seizures, and behavioral issues.

People with phenylketonuria must adhere to strict diets throughout their lives to avoid suffering permanent losses. As such, the failure to diagnose phenylketonuria can have serious consequences. In many instances, people harmed by the failure to diagnose and treat phenylketonuria will pursue damages for their losses via medical malpractice claims.

To establish medical malpractice, the plaintiff typically must demonstrate the defendant’s negligence. In Maryland, to prove negligence, the plaintiff must show that the defendant had a duty to provide treatment in accordance with the applicable standard of care. This standard is defined by the treatment that a competent practitioner in the same specialty would provide under similar circumstances. The plaintiff then must demonstrate that the defendant deviated from the standard of care in some way, thereby breaching the duty owed. Expert testimony is typically required to establish both the standard of care and the defendant's departure from it. Furthermore, the plaintiff must show that the defendant's breach of the standard of care caused quantifiable harm to the plaintiff. In other words, they must prove that the losses experienced by the plaintiff are directly attributable to the defendant's actions.

If a plaintiff successfully establishes the defendant's liability, they may be awarded damages to compensate for the financial losses brought about by the defendant's actions, such as medical expenses, past and future care costs, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. Expert testimony is often needed to value the plaintiff's damages and to demonstrate what treatment will be needed in the future. In addition to economic damages, a jury may also provide the plaintiff with compensation for intangible harm caused by the defendant, such as the pain, suffering, mental trauma, and anguish they experienced.

Phenylketonuria can typically be managed if it is diagnosed in a timely fashion, but when a doctor recklessly fails to determine that a patient has phenylketonuria, it can lead to permanent harm. If you were hurt by a physician’s failure to diagnose and treat phenylketonuria, it is smart to meet with an attorney to discuss whether you may be able to pursue a claim for damages. The seasoned Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group are well-versed in what it takes to prove liability in medical malpractice cases, and if you engage our services, we will fight zealously on your behalf. We regularly represent people in cases against healthcare providers in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can reach us at (410) 889-1850 or through our online form to set up a consultation.