Meningitis is a medical emergency that demands immediate intervention. As such, a prompt and accurate diagnosis is key to a good prognosis. All too often, though, doctors fail to diagnose meningitis, which allows the infection to escalate quickly, leading to severe brain damage, lifelong disability, or even death. The damages for failure to diagnose meningitis are often extensive, and while money alone cannot compensate for the harm caused by medical negligence, it can help injured parties recover and move forward with their lives. If you or a loved one were injured by a delayed or missed meningitis diagnosis, it is important to understand your rights, and you should talk to an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our trusted Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys understand the magnitude of the harm caused by such medical errors, and if you engage our services, we will zealously pursue the compensation you deserve.
Meningitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, often caused by bacterial or viral infections. Because the disease progresses rapidly, immediate diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Symptoms can include a high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, nausea, sensitivity to light, and confusion. In infants, signs may include excessive crying, difficulty feeding, or an unusual bulging in the soft spot of the skull. Given the severity of the condition, doctors must act quickly to rule out meningitis by ordering tests such as a lumbar puncture or blood cultures.
A failure to diagnose meningitis can lead to severe and irreversible consequences. Without prompt treatment, bacterial meningitis can cause brain damage, seizures, paralysis, or organ failure. Survivors may experience lifelong disabilities, such as cognitive impairments, speech difficulties, and hearing loss, all of which can significantly impact their quality of life. In some cases, the failure to diagnose meningitis can be fatal, leaving families grappling with immense emotional loss and financial uncertainty.
For those harmed by a missed meningitis diagnosis, damages may be available to help alleviate the financial and personal burdens associated with medical negligence. Economic damages may include medical expenses for emergency treatment, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. If the victim is unable to return to work due to permanent disability, lost wages and diminished earning capacity may also be recovered. Additionally, non-economic damages compensate for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Families who lose a loved one due to a misdiagnosis may also be entitled to wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses and loss of companionship.
To recover damages for failure to diagnose meningitis, a plaintiff must first demonstrate the defendant’s liability. Generally, this means they must prove the defendant’s negligence.
In Maryland, to show negligence in the context of medical care, a plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a duty. The duty owed is to comply with the standard of care, which is what a competent provider working in the same field would do when faced with a similar scenario. For example, physicians, nurses, and emergency room staff have a responsibility to recognize symptoms, order appropriate tests, and initiate timely treatment when meningitis is suspected.
The plaintiff must then establish that the defendant breached this duty by failing to meet the standard of care. A breach may occur when a doctor misdiagnoses meningitis as a less severe illness, delays testing, or dismisses patient concerns. Expert testimony is often necessary to establish what a competent medical professional should have done in similar circumstances and how the defendant’s conduct deviated from accepted medical standards.
Causation is another key factor in a medical malpractice case. In other words, the plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s negligence directly led to the worsening of the patient’s condition. If prompt treatment would have prevented permanent injury, Causation is established. Finally, the plaintiff must prove actual harm, which can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
If you or someone you love sustained losses due to a doctor’s failure to diagnose meningitis, you may have grounds for seeking damages for failure to diagnose meningitis, and you should consult an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our experienced Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have ample extensive experience representing victims of medical negligence, and if we represent you, we will gather the evidence needed to provide you with a strong chance of a favorable outcome. Our office is located in Baltimore, and we represent clients throughout the region. To schedule a free and confidential consultation, contact us online or call 410-889-1850.
