Podiatrist Malpractice

Podiatrists, who are commonly referred to as foot doctors, diagnose and treat conditions of the foot and ankle. Some people mistakenly believe that podiatry is an area of medicine where there is little risk of patient harm. Like all medical providers, however, podiatrists have a standard of care they must adhere to, and when they depart from the standard, it can result in painful and debilitating injuries and illnesses. If you were harmed by a negligent podiatrist, you may be owed compensation for your injuries. The capable Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers of Arfaa Law Group help injured victims pursue redress for their damages, and we will work tirelessly to help you seek a just outcome.

There are multiple ways in which a podiatrist may commit malpractice, but some podiatry errors are more common than others. For example, it is not uncommon for a podiatrist to perform surgical procedures, such as a bunionectomy, that are not actually necessary. Additionally, if a surgery is not performed properly, it can result in significant complications that can be debilitating and costly to treat. Podiatrists can also harm patients by failing to diagnose infections or nerve injuries, or by improperly treating bones spurs or foot issues caused by diabetes. Podiatrists, like other physicians, can also harm patients by failing to refer them to another specialist or failing to provide sufficient follow-up treatment.

A plaintiff who files a lawsuit alleging a podiatrist is liable for malpractice must prove each element of a malpractice claim to recover damages. First, the plaintiff must establish the standard of care that applies. Typically this is done by introducing expert testimony regarding what a similarly trained podiatrist, with like training and skills, would have done when presented with the same set of facts. The plaintiff must then show that the podiatrist deviated from the standard of care, which is typically established via expert testimony as well. In most cases, the expert will also be a podiatrist but may be anyone who has clinical experience or who has taught medicine in the same field or in a related field. Lastly, the plaintiff must show that the podiatrist’s breach of the standard of care is the cause of his or her injury and that he or she suffered actual damages. Typically, the podiatrist will either refute that he or she is the cause of the plaintiff’s harm, or that the plaintiff suffered any harm. A knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer can help you contest arguments of this nature.

The damages awarded in a podiatrist malpractice case typically aim to compensate for the economic and noneconomic harm suffered by the plaintiff. Noneconomic harm generally refers to the pain, suffering, or mental trauma caused by the plaintiff’s injuries. The amount of noneconomic damages a plaintiff can recover is limited by Maryland law. Economic damages are not capped, however. Economic damages include the cost of any medical treatment the plaintiff needed for his or her injuries, including surgery, therapy, and prescriptions and any treatment he or she may need if the future. If the plaintiff could not work because of his or her injuries, he or she may also be awarded compensation for lost earnings. If the plaintiff was married at the time the harm occurred, his or her spouse may also be able to pursue claims against the podiatrist. Any claim for damages must be pursued promptly, however, as there are strict time limitations regarding when a medical malpractice lawsuit may be filed.

Foot and ankle injuries can cause debilitating pain and a reduction in quality of life. If you suffered an injury due to podiatrist malpractice in Baltimore, you may have a legal claim. The seasoned malpractice attorneys of Arfaa Law Group strive to help their clients marshal the facts, evidence, and arguments needed for them to establish a physician’s negligence. We can be reached through our form online or at 410-889-1850 to schedule a confidential and free consultation.