Wound Care Malpractice

Appropriate wound care is essential to avoiding potential complications and increasing the likelihood of optimal outcomes for patients. While some problems that arise when wounds are healing are inevitable, many issues are the result of negligent wound care. In other words, when wounds are not properly tended to, it can lead to infections, tissue death, and other significant injuries. If you suffered losses due to improper wound care, you may be able to recover compensation in a wound care malpractice lawsuit, and you should consult an attorney as soon as possible. The skilled Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at Arfaa Law Group can inform you of your rights and aid you in seeking the full amount of damages recoverable under the law.

Wound care is an important component of medical treatment as it facilitates the proper healing of various types of injuries, ranging from surgical incisions to traumatic wounds. Effective wound care involves cleaning, dressing, and managing wounds to prevent infection, promote tissue healing, and minimize scarring. Nurses, physicians, and wound care specialists will typically determine what wound care is appropriate based on the type, location, and severity of the wound.

When wound care is not performed properly, it can lead to complications such as infections, delayed healing, tissue necrosis, and scarring. For example, inadequate cleaning or dressing of wounds can introduce infections, leading to systemic complications and extended hospital stays. Additionally, incorrect wound closure techniques may result in dehiscence, also known as wound reopening, and hypertrophic scars. Furthermore, improper assessment and inadequate monitoring can allow wounds to deteriorate, leading to chronic non-healing wounds or even sepsis.

People who suffer harm due to wound care malpractice will often seek to recover damages from the healthcare provider responsible for their losses in a civil lawsuit. As most harm caused by medical professionals is the result of carelessness instead of an intent to harm, plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases will usually assert a negligence claim against the defendant. To demonstrate negligence in the context of healthcare, the plaintiff must show that the defendant owed them a duty and the defendant breached the duty owed. Typically, the duty owed is to offer treatment that meets the applicable standard of care, which is the care a reasonable professional in the same practice area would offer in the same situation. The plaintiff then must establish that the defendant’s breach proximately caused the plaintiff to suffer measurable damages.

Plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases in Maryland generally must rely on expert testimony to establish both the standard of care and the defendant’s deviation from the standard. Specifically, a plaintiff will typically need to hire a medical expert who practices in the same field as the defendant to testify about what a competent healthcare provider would have done in similar circumstances. This testimony helps the court and the jury understand whether the defendant's actions or decisions were consistent with the accepted medical practices. Expert testimony is also frequently needed to establish the plaintiff’s damages.

A plaintiff that proves a defendant committed malpractice may be granted compensation for the cost of any necessary medical care, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses. They may also be granted damages for the suffering, mental and emotional anguish, and pain they sustained due to the defendant’s negligence.

Proper wound care is critical to helping patients achieve good outcomes and fully recover from injuries or surgical procedures. As such, healthcare providers who recklessly cause patients to suffer harm due to negligent wound care should be held accountable. If you suffered injuries due to wound care malpractice, it is in your best interest to talk to an attorney about your potential claims. The dedicated Baltimore lawyers of Arfaa Law Group have ample experience helping people harmed by medical negligence recover damages, and if we represent you, we will advocate zealously on your behalf. We frequently represent people in cases against negligent doctors and nurses in Baltimore, where our office is located. You can contact us at (410) 889-1850 or through our online form to set up a meeting.