What’s the Most Common Type of Medical Malpractice in Baltimore?

Aug 12 2025 18:00

When people think about “medical malpractice,” the image that often comes to mind is a surgical mishap. While operating-room errors are tragically visible, they aren’t the most frequent form of malpractice.

1. Misdiagnosis & Delayed Diagnosis — The #1 Culprit

  • Diagnostic errors —including misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, or delayed detection—account for approximately 35% of all malpractice claim payouts over the past 25 years.

  • Nearly one-third of malpractice suits resulting in death or permanent disability involve misdiagnosis.

  • Common missed or delayed diagnoses include heart attacks, strokes, cancers (especially lung and breast), infections, and serious fractures.

The consequences in Maryland and beyond can be devastating: patients may receive inappropriate care, lose valuable treatment time, suffer worsened conditions, or even lose their lives due to preventable diagnostic delays.

2. Medication Errors — A Silent Threat

  • Medication mistakes—wrong drug, dosage, timing, or failure to check for allergies/interactions—also make up a significant portion of claims. One source estimates 44,000–98,000 U.S. deaths annually stem from medical errors, many of which involve medications.

  • Over a million Americans are harmed each year from medication-related incidents.

3. Surgical & Procedural Errors

Surgical mishaps—like operating on the wrong site, leaving tools inside, anesthesia mistakes, or infection—are also prominent. While less frequent than diagnostic errors, they can be catastrophic.   Baltimore hospitals, like those across the nation, remain vigilant—but these errors still occur.

Why Misdiagnosis Happens (Especially in Busy Urban Centers like Baltimore)

Several factors contribute to diagnostic failures:

  • Physician burnout is common—over 50% of U.S. doctors report burnout, which heightens the risk of missed cues, rushed visits, and communication breakdowns.

  • Complex systems and high patient loads in cities like Baltimore can lead to coordination errors or delayed test follow-up.

  • Defensive medicine —ordering too many tests or over-relying on them—can paradoxically obscure the correct diagnosis.

Why Timoll Law Group Should Lead the Fight in Baltimore

Located just outside Baltimore, Timoll Law Group uniquely understands the local medical landscape:

  • With deep Baltimore roots and a family history in medicine, they blend personal understanding with legal prowess.

  • Their core practice areas include misdiagnosis, surgical negligence, medication mistakes, and birth injuries —precisely the types of malpractice most prevalent in Maryland.

  • The team, led by Jason Timoll, has recovered millions for clients through complex medical negligence cases.

How Timoll Law Group Helps Baltimore Victims

  1. Early Case Evaluation

    • They review medical records and explore missed or delayed diagnoses, medication errors, or improper surgical procedures.

    • They identify breakdowns in care coordination, communication, and informed consent.

  2. Partnering with Experts

    • Collaborate with seasoned medical professionals to analyze standards of care in Maryland.

  3. Proven Courtroom & Negotiation Skills

    • Legal victories in complex misdiagnosis, medication, and surgical error claims underscore their ability to advocate fiercely.

  4. Client-Centered Approach

    • The firm’s motto, “We fight for you like family,” highlights their commitment to guiding clients through challenging legal and emotional landscapes.

Key Takeaway for Baltimore Patients

If you or a loved one in Baltimore has been impacted by a missed, delayed, or incorrect diagnosis, medication error, or surgical complication, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate the aftermath yourself.
Timoll Law Group offers local insight, medical empathy, and uncompromising legal advocacy. Their team is equipped to assess if your case meets Maryland’s strict malpractice standard and to pursue justice on your behalf.

📞 Want to Take the Next Step?

Contact Timoll Law Group today for a free consultation:

Among Maryland’s medical malpractice claims, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis stands as the most common and consequential. Timoll Law Group, with its Baltimore ties and medical‑legal expertise, is uniquely positioned to help victims pursue accountability and compensation.