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While patients play a critical role in managing diabetes, doctors also have a vital responsibility. They have a legal obligation to make a timely diagnosis of this severe medical condition and to properly manage the illness.
When doctors do not take the proper steps to treat patients with diabetes, they could be engaging in medical malpractice. This can have severe consequences for patients, from kidney failure and cardiovascular disease to death.
Do you suspect your doctors have engaged in medical malpractice? Contact The Law Offices of Peter T. Nicholl to discuss if you might have legal recourse. Our Maryland medical malpractice lawyers have secured millions of dollars in compensation for medical malpractice victims in Maryland and there are no upfront costs with our services.
Schedule your free legal consultation today. Call us at: 410-297-0271.
Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that causes the body to not produce enough insulin or prevents the body from using insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that converts sugar, starches and other foods into energy.
There are two types of diabetes:
Medication and lifestyle changes enable some people to properly manage their diabetes. However, diabetes puts you at higher risk of a variety of health issues. For instance, elevated blood sugar levels can cause damage to the:
Chronic mismanagement of diabetes could cause kidney failure and loss of vision. Additionally, diabetics are at increased risk for nerve damage, which can result in numbness or pain, particularly in the limbs.
Diabetes patients are at higher risk of infections, as this condition slows down their ability to heal. This means minor injuries could potentially become much more severe. Some patients could suffer strokes or develop high blood pressure.
While doctors treat a wide range of medical conditions, it is generally true that prompt diagnosis leads to better patient outcomes. Unfortunately, doctors may misdiagnose or delay diagnosis of diabetes for various reasons.
Even if doctors make a timely diagnosis of diabetes, they could mismanage treatment, putting the patient at higher risk of severe injuries.
Routine monitoring helps doctors to keep these levels in the appropriate range. For example, doctors could adjust the patient’s medication, including the dosage and even the brand.
A physician is expected to modify insulin dosages for diabetic patients as necessary to maintain controlled blood glucose levels. Failure to do so can result in hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, which may lead to severe complications.
Not Adequately Warning of the Risks of Diabetes
A physician is expected to properly inform patients about the risks of diabetes and the dangers of failing to manage the condition appropriately. If patients are not properly informed, they are at risk for making decisions that could cause severe complications.
Doctors need to do comprehensive checkups on a regular basis to evaluate patients’ kidney function, eye health and cardiovascular health. Regular evaluations can help doctors to prevent the progression of life-threatening complications.
If you suspect your doctors have mismanaged your diabetes treatment and you have suffered severe injuries, there may be a medical malpractice case. Contact our firm to discuss possible legal options.
There are many severe complications that could arise when doctors fail to properly manage a patient’s diabetes. This means doctors failed to provide medical care that meets accepted medical standards.
Do you believe your diabetes could have been diagnosed earlier or treatment could have been managed better? If you have suffered severe complications from a delayed diagnosis or mismanaged treatment, there may be grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Your lawyer needs to determine if doctors failed to uphold the standard of care for your treatment. This essentially means doctors did not act as another medical professional would have in a similar situation.
Your lawyer will need to consult a medical expert to determine the appropriate treatment for someone in your situation and whether doctors failed to provide that treatment. For example, did they misinterpret test results, fail to adjust your medication or fail to refer you to a specialist?
You must also connect your treatment to the complications. You need to show that these complications would not have occurred or would have been less severe if doctors had met the standard of care.
The only way to know if you may have a valid case is to contact an experienced lawyer to review your situation.
When doctors mismanage diabetes treatment, it can have devastating consequences. Victims are likely to experience further complications and injuries that lower their quality of life.
Our Maryland law firm is dedicated to supporting injured victims, including those injured by medical malpractice. We have a deep understanding of the relevant laws and how to construct a robust case.
We offer a free initial legal consultation to discuss your specific circumstances and evaluate how we may be able to assist you.
Contact our firm today to learn more. No upfront costs or fees. Phone: 410-297-0271.
Maryland
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Baltimore, MD 21201
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