Spinal Abscess

Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorneys Helping People Harmed by Medical Malpractice Seek Justice

A spinal abscess is a medical emergency that demands swift recognition and intervention. This dangerous infection occurs when pus builds up around or within the spinal cord, creating pressure that can devastate the nervous system. What may begin as back pain or fever can, within hours or days, progress to paralysis, organ failure, or death if untreated. Because the consequences are so severe, Maryland healthcare providers are expected to identify the signs of a spinal abscess and act immediately. When they fail to do so, patients may suffer permanent and avoidable harm, and the law allows victims to pursue justice for the losses they endure. If you or someone you loved suffered injuries due to the mismanagement of a spinal abscess, you may be owed damages, and it is advisable to talk to an attorney. The seasoned Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group are committed to helping victims of medical negligence protect their interests, and if we represent you, we will help you pursue the justice you deserve.

The Serious Risks of a Spinal Abscess

The presence of a spinal abscess can result in extraordinary medical complications because the infection often compresses the spinal cord or surrounding nerves. Patients may experience sudden weakness in their legs, numbness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or escalating neurological impairment. Delay in diagnosis is especially dangerous because the longer the spinal cord remains compressed, the more likely it is that permanent damage will occur. Once paralysis sets in, it is often irreversible, even with aggressive surgical treatment. In some cases, the infection spreads systemically, leading to sepsis or multi-organ failure. The physical, emotional, and financial toll on victims and their families is immense, frequently requiring long-term rehabilitation, in-home care, and significant lifestyle adjustments. For these reasons, the timely recognition and management of a spinal abscess is key.

Liability for Mismanagement of Spinal Abscesses

Patients harmed by negligent medical care related to a spinal abscess may pursue compensation through a medical malpractice claim. To succeed, the plaintiff generally must establish the defendant’s negligence. In Maryland, negligence is made up of four legal elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. The duty element requires showing that the physician owed the patient a professional obligation to provide care that meets the accepted medical standard. Breach occurs when the provider fails to act in accordance with that standard, such as by ignoring red flag symptoms, failing to order timely imaging like an MRI, misinterpreting test results, or delaying surgical consultation.

To show causation, the plaintiff must link the defendant’s failure directly to the harm suffered, demonstrating that earlier or proper care would likely have prevented the injury. Finally, the plaintiff must prove damages caused by the defendant’s breach. Damages include both economic losses like past and future medical expenses, loss of income or earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.

Because medical malpractice cases often involve complex medical evidence that is beyond the understanding of the average juror, expert testimony is usually required to establish the standard of care and to explain how the defendant’s actions or omissions deviated from the standard. Expert witnesses can also help to connect the defendant’s behavior to the harm the plaintiff ultimately suffered and to substantiate the plaintiff’s losses.

Speak to a Dedicated Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorney About Your Case

The failure to diagnose and treat a spinal abscess can leave patients facing lifelong disabilities and overwhelming financial burdens. If you or a loved one has suffered harm because a healthcare provider did not properly recognize or respond to this condition, you may be entitled to compensation under Maryland law, and you should talk to an attorney. At Arfaa Law Group, our Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and resources to hold negligent providers accountable, and if you hire us, we will carefully review your case and craft compelling arguments to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. We are based in Baltimore and proudly represent clients throughout the city. Call us at 410-889-1850 or reach us through our online contact form to arrange a free consultation.