Medical Malpractice By The Numbers

When it comes to the nation’s list of unsafe hospitals, Maryland is home to at least four.Back in 2017, The Leapfrog Group gave just one hospital in the state—Howard County General Hospital—an “A” in their Safety Grades. While Maryland improved dramatically in 2019 with 10 hospitals now receiving an “A” grade, four hospitals throughout Maryland still received “D” grades, including the following:

Bon Secours Hospital
Northwest Hospital
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore
University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center

These grades are indicative of the level of care patients receive, and they are quite alarming.

How Much Does Medical Malpractice Cost?

Between 2011 and 2015, Maryland saw over $100 million paid out for medical malpractice claims each year. While this amount is substantial, it is difficult to imagine the losses the victims of malpractice experience, as they must go through countless years of medical care, additional procedures, and lost income.

Each year, across the nation, billions of dollars change hands because of medical malpractice claims. It goes to show the real problem: many doctors and hospitals have not taken steps to fix this issue. Medical professionals are still making costly mistakes, and it shows.

What is the Largest Medical Malpractice Verdict in History?

We use the term “history” lightly here, because you don’t have to look very far back to find the highest medical malpractice verdict in the United States civil system.

Just this year, a woman from Prince George’s County received a $229 million verdict after her baby suffered a brain injury during delivery. The lawsuit was against Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. Despite an appeal by the defendant, a judge upheld the verdict but reduced the amount to $205 million to adhere to state caps.

Maryland has a history of medical negligence. Our community should have the freedom to trust their medical providers without fear of neglect. However, when negligence does exist, those harmed should know their rights.

Our Baltimore medical malpractice attorneys at Brown & Barron are here to help pursue compensation and justice on behalf of our clients. We go the extra mile to hold negligent parties accountable and help our clients move forward.

Call our firm today at (410) 698-1717.