Medical Misdiagnosis And Your Rights In A Maryland Medical Malpractice Claim

When you visit the doctor, you trust they will protect your health. But what happens when a medical professional gets a diagnosis wrong? Misdiagnosis is one of the most common and dangerous forms of medical error in the U.S., often delaying potentially life-saving treatment or leading to harmful and unnecessary interventions.
In Maryland, patients who suffer harm due to a medical misdiagnosis have legal options in seeking justice. Filing a medical malpractice claim can provide compensation for the harm done and the losses you incur. If you believe a doctor misdiagnosed you or a loved one, our Maryland medical malpractice lawyers can help you understand your rights.
How Medical Misdiagnosis In Maryland Happens And Why It is So Common
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), medical misdiagnosis makes up more than 25 percent of all adverse events that happen in health care settings. It can occur when a doctor downplays or misinterprets your symptoms or diagnoses you with the wrong condition altogether.
Medical misdiagnosis in Maryland is common in emergency rooms, primary care offices, and specialist settings. Breakdowns in communication, rushed evaluations, or failure to order appropriate tests are often to blame. Common conditions that are frequently misdiagnosed include:
- Heart attacks, which are sometimes mistaken for indigestion or anxiety, especially in women and younger patients;
- Strokes, which are often overlooked if symptoms are mild or the patient is young;
- Cancer, in which delayed or missed diagnoses can have life-altering consequences;
- Infections, such as sepsis, meningitis, and Lyme disease;
- Lupus, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune disorders, which may mimic other diseases.
Filing a Maryland Medical Malpractice Claim for Misdiagnosis
To file a successful malpractice claim in Maryland, a patient must prove that their medical provider did not provide an accepted standard of care, and that this failure directly caused harm. Not every diagnostic error qualifies, but if your condition worsened or required more aggressive treatment because of a delay or mistake, you may have a valid case.
Key evidence needed to support your claim includes:
- Medical records showing what symptoms were reported, what tests were ordered (or not), and what the doctor diagnosed;
- Expert testimony from other medical professionals;
- Timeline of symptoms and treatment to demonstrate delays or mistakes in care;
- Second opinions that contradict the original diagnosis;
- Hospital policies and protocols to determine whether standard procedures were followed.
Under the Maryland Code, the statute of limitations for filing medical malpractice claims is the earlier of 5 years from the time the injury was committed or 3 years from the date the injury was discovered. These cases may be settled through the provider’s insurer, or you may be able to take those at fault to court.
Schedule A Consultation Today With Our Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers
A medical misdiagnosis can cost you time, health, and peace of mind. If you believe your doctor missed or mishandled your condition, don’t wait. Contact Maryland Injury Lawyers right away.
We’ll review your case, consult with trusted medical experts, and help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Request a consultation with our experienced Maryland medical malpractice lawyers today.
Sources:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5873736/\
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gcj§ion=5-109