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When you or someone you love suffers harm due to healthcare negligence, the experienced Medical Malpractice team in Calvert County at Regan Zambri Long is ready to help you seek justice. Our attorneys specialize in representing patients throughout Maryland who have been injured by medical professionals who failed to uphold the standard of care expected in their field.
If you believe you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, don’t wait to seek legal guidance. Contact the Calvert County personal injury attorneys at Regan Zambri Long today for a free, confidential consultation to discuss your potential claim and learn how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
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Medical malpractice cases demand attorneys who grasp both legal requirements and medical science. At Regan Zambri Long, we’ve successfully represented clients harmed by misdiagnosis, medication errors, and hospital-acquired infections throughout Calvert County.
Our attorneys bring decades of combined experience to Maryland medical malpractice cases. We’ve secured substantial verdicts and settlements for victims, including multi-million dollar recoveries for birth injuries, surgical errors, and delayed diagnoses. These results demonstrate our ability to secure full compensation for our clients.
Medical malpractice cases require significant resources to win. Healthcare providers and insurance companies have deep pockets and teams of defense attorneys. We match their resources by advancing all litigation costs—including expert witness fees, investigations, and court expenses—so you don’t pay anything upfront.
Despite our firm’s size and resources, we provide personalized attention. Senior attorneys stay directly involved in your case strategy and keep you informed throughout the process. We explain each step clearly because we understand this may be your first legal experience.
We work on contingency fees, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. This arrangement ensures you can access quality legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
If medical negligence has harmed you or your family, contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation. Let our experienced team fight for the compensation you deserve.
Medical malpractice in Maryland occurs when a healthcare provider fails to deliver care that meets the accepted standard in their profession, resulting in patient harm. This legal standard requires proving that the medical professional deviated from what a reasonably skilled practitioner would have done in similar circumstances. For residents of Calvert County, understanding these standards is essential when considering a potential claim.
Maryland’s medical malpractice laws include several important provisions that directly impact cases in Calvert County. Understanding these laws is essential when pursuing a claim against a healthcare provider.
The statute of limitations generally gives patients three years from the date the injury was discovered (or reasonably should have been discovered) to file a medical malpractice claim. However, no claim can be filed more than five years from when the injury occurred, regardless of when it was discovered. This creates both a discovery rule and an absolute deadline for filing claims.
There are limited exceptions to these time restrictions, particularly for cases involving minors. For children injured by medical malpractice, the statute of limitations may not begin until they reach the age of majority. Additionally, in cases where fraud or intentional concealment prevented discovery of the injury, the time limits may be extended.
Maryland imposes caps on non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in medical malpractice cases, which increase slightly each year, but generally limit the amount recoverable for these subjective damages. There are no caps on economic damages, which include medical expenses, lost wages, and future care needs.
The medical malpractice lawyers at Regan Zambri Long understand these nuances of Maryland law and how they apply to medical malpractice claims in Calvert County. We work diligently to protect our clients’ rights within these legal frameworks.
The law recognizes various forms of medical negligence that commonly affect patients in Calvert County and throughout Maryland:
It’s important to understand that not every negative medical outcome qualifies as malpractice. Medicine involves inherent risks, and sometimes complications occur despite proper care. The key distinction lies in whether the healthcare provider followed established protocols and exercised reasonable professional judgment. A qualified Calvert County medical malpractice attorney can help evaluate your situation and determine if negligence occurred.
If you suspect you’ve been the victim of medical malpractice, consulting with an attorney promptly can make a significant difference in your case. Warning signs that may indicate potential malpractice include unexpected complications after a procedure, treatment that doesn’t match your diagnosis, or a sudden deterioration in condition without explanation. If a healthcare provider acknowledges a mistake or another doctor suggests previous care was inadequate, these are strong indicators to seek legal advice.
Early attorney involvement provides several advantages. Maryland law imposes strict time limits for filing medical malpractice claims through the statute of limitations, typically giving patients three years from the date the injury was discovered. An attorney can help ensure you meet all deadlines and properly document your case from the beginning.
Additionally, valuable evidence may be more readily available shortly after the injury. Medical records can be secured before modifications occur, and witnesses’ memories remain fresh. Your attorney can also connect you with appropriate medical specialists who can provide expert opinions on your care and begin building the foundation for your case while you focus on recovery.
Hospital-acquired infections, also known as healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), develop during medical treatment in a healthcare facility when proper protocols aren’t followed. These infections affect thousands of Maryland patients annually and can lead to extended hospital stays, additional surgeries, permanent disability, or even death.
In Calvert County healthcare facilities, common HAIs include central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections. Many of these infections are caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are particularly difficult to treat, such as MRSA or C. difficile.
These infections typically occur due to preventable failures in healthcare delivery. Common causes include inadequate hand hygiene by medical staff, improper equipment sterilization, failure to follow isolation procedures for contagious patients, or poor wound care. When these infections result from deviations from established safety protocols, the healthcare facility and its staff may be liable for harm.
The long-term effects of hospital-acquired infections can be devastating. Patients may require additional surgeries, extended antibiotic treatments, or rehabilitation services. Some suffer permanent organ damage, reduced mobility, chronic pain, or compromised immune function. The financial burden of treating these infections often falls on patients and their families, making legal recovery particularly important.
Contact a medical malpractice lawyer at Regan Zambri Long today to discuss your case if you or a loved one developed a serious infection while receiving care at a Calvert County healthcare facility. Our experienced medical malpractice attorneys can help determine if negligence played a role and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Hospitals in and around Calvert County can be held directly liable for medical malpractice under several circumstances. Direct liability typically stems from organizational failures such as negligent hiring practices, inadequate background checks for staff, insufficient training programs, or failure to establish and enforce proper safety protocols.
Hospitals may also face vicarious liability for the actions of their employees under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers responsible for employee negligence committed within the scope of employment. This typically applies to nurses, technicians, and staff physicians employed by the hospital. However, many doctors working in hospitals are independent contractors rather than employees, which can affect liability determinations.
Corporate negligence claims against hospitals involve failures at the institutional level that create unsafe conditions for patients. Examples include inadequate staffing levels that leave patients without proper monitoring, failing to maintain sterile environments, or not providing necessary equipment for patient care.
Hospital policies and standards of care play a critical role in determining liability. Hospitals must establish appropriate guidelines for treatment, infection control, medication administration, and patient care. When these policies fall below acceptable standards or aren’t properly implemented, the hospital may be liable for resulting injuries.
Determining hospital liability requires a detailed understanding of the relationship between healthcare providers and facilities and the specific policies in place at the time of injury. The attorneys at Regan Zambri Long have extensive experience holding healthcare institutions accountable for their role in patient harm.
When pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Calvert County, patients may be entitled to several types of compensation for their injuries. Understanding the full scope of recoverable damages is essential to ensure you receive fair compensation for all harms suffered.
Economic damages cover the tangible financial losses resulting from medical negligence. These include past and future medical expenses related to treating the injury caused by malpractice, such as hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, medication expenses, and long-term care needs. Lost wages compensate for income lost while recovering from your injuries. At the same time, diminished earning capacity addresses future income losses if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous occupation or working capacity. Economic damages are not capped under Maryland law and can be recovered in full when properly documented.
Non-economic damages address the subjective, non-monetary losses experienced by malpractice victims. These include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (damage to family relationships). While these damages can’t be calculated with receipts or pay stubs, they often represent the most profound impacts of medical negligence. Maryland law caps non-economic damages, with the limit adjusted annually for inflation.
Punitive damages may be available in rare cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct. These damages are designed to punish particularly egregious behavior and deter similar conduct in the future. However, Maryland’s standard for awarding punitive damages is extremely high, requiring clear and convincing evidence of actual malice.
For families who have lost a loved one due to medical negligence, wrongful death compensation may include funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and compensation for the emotional suffering of surviving family members. Maryland law specifies which family members can bring wrongful death claims and how such compensation is distributed.
The attorneys at Regan Zambri Long work closely with economic experts, life care planners, and medical professionals to calculate the full value of current and future damages. This thorough approach ensures our Calvert County clients receive compensation that truly reflects the full impact of their injuries.
Filing a medical malpractice claim in Maryland involves several specific procedural steps that must be followed precisely. Understanding this process helps Calvert County residents prepare for what lies ahead.
The process begins with an initial consultation where a medical malpractice lawyer evaluates the potential claim. If the attorney believes there may be merit to your case, they will obtain your medical records and have them reviewed by qualified medical experts. This preliminary investigation determines whether the healthcare provider violated the standard of care and whether that violation caused your injury.
Before filing a lawsuit, Maryland law requires claimants to file a statement of claim with the Health Care Alternative Dispute Resolution Office. This must be accompanied by a Certificate of Qualified Expert within 90 days. After this filing, most claimants waive the arbitration process and move the case to the appropriate circuit court.
One of the most significant procedural requirements in Maryland medical malpractice cases is the Certificate of Qualified Expert. This certificate must be filed within 90 days of initiating a claim, representing a substantial early hurdle in the litigation process.
The Certificate of Qualified Expert is an affidavit from a medical professional attesting that the healthcare provider’s treatment fell below the standard of care and caused the patient’s injury. This expert must be a healthcare provider with clinical experience in the same or a related specialty as the defendant, actively engaged in practice or teaching within that field.
Maryland law requires this certificate to verify a claim has merit before significant resources are devoted to litigation. The purpose is to screen out frivolous lawsuits and ensure that only legitimate claims proceed through the legal system. Without this certificate, a medical malpractice case in Calvert County cannot move forward.
Finding qualified medical experts willing to testify against other healthcare providers can be challenging. These experts must review extensive medical records, form an objective opinion about the care provided, and be prepared to defend that opinion through deposition and trial testimony if necessary. That’s where an experienced medical malpractice lawyer comes in.
Regan Zambri Long has developed relationships with respected medical experts across numerous specialties. Our medical malpractice lawyers work closely with these professionals to evaluate potential claims and prepare compelling expert testimony for our Calvert County clients. This network of qualified experts represents one of the many advantages of working with an established medical malpractice firm.
Once in court, the discovery phase begins. This involves exchanging information with the defense through written interrogatories, requests for documents, and depositions of witnesses, including both fact witnesses and expert witnesses. Depending on case complexity, this phase typically takes several months to a year.
After discovery, many cases proceed to mediation or settlement negotiations. Insurance companies often become more willing to discuss reasonable settlement offers once they see the strength of your evidence and expert testimony. If settlement discussions are unsuccessful, the case proceeds to trial.
At trial, your attorneys present evidence of negligence, causation, and damages to a judge or jury. Depending on complexity, medical malpractice trials can last from several days to weeks. If successful, the court will award damages based on the evidence presented.
Throughout this process, a Maryland medical malpractice attorney at Regan Zambri Long will guide you, explain what to expect at each stage, and advocate for your interests.
When pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Calvert County, identifying all potentially liable parties is essential to securing full compensation. Medical negligence often involves multiple responsible parties, each playing a role in the harm suffered by the patient.
At Regan Zambri Long, our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to identify all parties whose negligence contributed to your injuries.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Top Calvert County Medical Malpractice Attorney
If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence in Calvert County, the experienced attorneys at Regan Zambri Long are here to help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your situation and explain your legal options.
We represent clients throughout Maryland, including Calvert County. Our medical malpractice lawyers can arrange meetings at locations convenient for you, and in cases where injuries limit mobility, we can come to your home or healthcare facility.
To schedule your free consultation, call today or complete our secure online contact form. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to urgent inquiries, and all consultations are provided without obligation.
