Many Baltimore area residents are fortunate to have found the love of their life. These couples often depend upon each other for emotional and financial support, among other things. Accordingly, the loss of a spouse or loved one can be tragic and life-changing, particularly when that death is caused suddenly by another person's actions.

This, unfortunately, can be the case when mistakes are made by a doctor in providing medical care. Even the slightest doctor error can have profound consequences, leading to severe injury or even the death of the patient.

For instance, one woman recently brought a medical malpractice case for the death of her husband. The man had been diagnosed with a condition where his body began to destroy its red blood cells, called autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The commonly known treatment for this condition is a blood transfusion and steroid treatment. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

Instead, the man did not receive enough blood to stabilize his condition, causing him to go into cardiac arrest. The case was brought after the man's death, and resulted in a jury verdict in favor of the widow for $1.6 million, which was believed to be one of the largest in the county where it was brought.

This case illustrates how fragile life can be, and how important it is to hold doctors and hospitals accountable when they provide negligent care. While no amount of money can bring back a person's loved one, an award of damages can be a vital part of recouping the lost financial support the loved one would have otherwise provided in life, as well as helping pay off unexpected medical expenses that have accrued.

When someone wrongfully takes something from Baltimore residents, most would expect that person has to give it back or otherwise repay the individual for what was taken. This principle lies at the essence of a personal injury lawsuit, as those whose negligence causes injury to others are held accountable for the injury and expected to pay the damages of the injured person.

This well-established principle is often under attack in medical malpractice cases, as doctors and hospitals that make mistakes in patient care are often looking for ways out of paying for those mistakes. Arguably the latest example of this is a new bill introduced by Maryland lawmakers, and advanced by certain health systems in the state, that would limit the amount of costs hospitals and doctors would have to pay for birth injuries.

The bill would create a birth injury fund by having doctors and hospitals practicing in the area pay into the fund. Individuals who then suffered birth injuries would apply to the fund with a claim and have to prove the injury, which would be determined by an administrative law judge.

Accordingly, if the bill goes into law, it could represent a dramatic shift in medical malpractice law. Typically, claims are pursued through courts, with negligence law being applicable to the case. If a jury finds in favor of the individual, an award of damages will be given to pay for the injured person's particular damages suffered as a result of the incident.

In the end, the bill is not the first nor the last attempt to stifle the rights of injured patients. By working with a qualified attorney, individuals can vigorously pursue their claim against a negligent doctor or hospital for the damages inflicted as a result of the injury.

When Baltimore residents go to the doctor, they expect that the doctor will provide the best care possible. Part of providing the best care, or even standard care, is for the doctor to make a proper diagnosis of a patient's ailment. When the doctor makes mistakes or there is a misdiagnosis of a patient's condition, it can lead to devastating consequences for the patient.

Take, for example, the case of a man who is pursuing a medical malpractice case against a physician for the physician's failure to diagnose and treat a large epidural abscess. The lawsuit alleges that the doctor missed the diagnosis, which caused the patient to suffer severe and permanent pain and suffering, both physically and mentally. Part of the man's injuries included permanent paralysis.

The lawsuit illustrates the essentials of a medical malpractice suit. In order to prevail in such a case, the plaintiff must show that the doctor had a duty to provide proper medical care and treatment, and that the doctor breached that duty by not providing the care that a reasonable and prudent physician would do. As a result, the breach of the duty of care must have caused injury or damages.

In the case above, the man is seeking compensatory damages, including damages for loss of his income that was caused by his injury. While it remains to be seen how the case will turn out, it shows how patients have options when their physician fails to provide the proper care, and that the physicians can be held accountable for their medical errors.