Seizure Disorders

Baltimore Lawyers Representing Parties Harmed by Negligent Doctors

Seizure disorders are neurological conditions that can have devastating consequences if they are not promptly diagnosed and treated. Because the symptoms of seizure disorders can vary widely, ranging from subtle staring spells to full-body convulsions, physicians must exercise vigilance in recognizing warning signs and ordering appropriate diagnostic testing. When doctors fail to diagnose or properly manage seizure disorders, patients may face ongoing harm that could have been avoided with proper medical care. If you or a loved one sustained injuries due to a doctor’s failure to properly manage a seizure disorder, you may be able to recover damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit, and you should talk to an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys are committed to advocating for patients whose lives have been altered due to a physician’s negligence in managing seizure disorders, and if you hire us, we will help you pursue the justice you deserve.

The Harm Caused by Failing to Diagnose Seizure Disorders

Seizure disorders, including epilepsy, can significantly interfere with a person’s health and quality of life. When properly managed, many individuals can control their symptoms with medication, lifestyle changes, or in some cases, surgery. However, if a physician fails to take a patient’s complaints seriously, overlooks clinical signs, or neglects to order appropriate tests such as EEGs or imaging studies, the patient may be left undiagnosed and untreated. This oversight can result in repeated seizures, brain damage, or even fatal complications such as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

The harm caused by untreated seizure disorders goes beyond medical consequences. Repeated seizures can lead to serious injuries from falls, motor vehicle accidents, or loss of consciousness in dangerous settings. Additionally, patients often suffer psychological harm, as the unpredictability of seizures may cause severe anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal.

Negligence and Medical Malpractice in Maryland

Maryland law provides a remedy for patients harmed by inadequate medical care, including mismanagement of seizure disorders. In most medical malpractice cases, a plaintiff must prove the defendant’s negligence. The first element of negligence is duty, which arises whenever a doctor-patient relationship is established. This duty obligates the defendant to provide care consistent with what a reasonably prudent provider in the same specialty would deliver under similar circumstances. For seizure disorders, this duty may include taking a thorough medical history, evaluating symptoms such as unexplained fainting or convulsions, and ordering necessary neurological tests.

The second element of negligence is breach, which occurs when the defendant deviates from the accepted standard of care. For example, if a patient presents with clear indicators of seizure activity but the doctor fails to order an EEG or refer the patient to a neurologist, this may constitute a breach.

The third element of negligence is causation, meaning the patient must show that the physician’s failure directly contributed to their injury. In seizure disorder cases, this could mean that repeated, uncontrolled seizures worsened a patient’s condition because the doctor did not provide timely treatment. Typically, expert medical testimony is needed to explain the standard of care and to link the physician’s breach to the harm the patient suffered.

The final element is damages. Patients must demonstrate that they suffered actual harm, whether in the form of worsening medical conditions, lost wages, or physical and emotional pain. Damages in medical malpractice cases may include reimbursement for medical expenses, compensation for loss of earning capacity, and recovery for pain and suffering.

Speak to a Capable Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorney

Seizure disorders are serious medical conditions that require careful evaluation and prompt treatment, but when doctors fail to provide care consistent with the standard of practice, the consequences can be life-altering. If you or someone you love has been harmed by a physician’s failure to diagnose or properly treat a seizure disorder, you should speak with an attorney about your rights. At Arfaa Law Group, our capable Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have extensive experience building strong claims against negligent health care providers, and if we represent you, we will advocate aggressively on your behalf. Our office is conveniently located in Baltimore, and we regularly represent clients throughout Maryland who have been injured by negligent doctors. You can contact us at 410-889-1850 or reach out to us through our online form to schedule a consultation and discuss your potential claims.