Medical Malpractice: What Hancock County Patients Should Know

Most medical care in Hancock County is good care. The hospitals and practices in Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, and Blue Hill are staffed by people who work hard for their patients. But medicine is done by humans, and sometimes something goes wrong that shouldn’t have. When that happens, patients have rights.

Not every bad outcome is malpractice

This is the first thing we tell people. A treatment that doesn’t work, or a surgery with a known complication, isn’t automatically malpractice. The law asks a narrower question: did the provider fall below the standard of care that a reasonably careful provider would have met in the same situation? And did that failure cause your injury?

Both parts matter. A mistake that didn’t change the outcome usually isn’t a case. An outcome that was bad but unavoidable isn’t either.

Common types of claims

The cases we see most often fall into a few groups:

• A diagnosis that was missed or came too late, such as cancer, a stroke, or an infection
• Surgical errors, including operating on the wrong site or damaging a nearby organ
• Medication errors, like the wrong drug or the wrong dose
• Emergency room mistakes, often when a patient is sent home too soon
• Injuries during childbirth, to the baby or the mother

What it can mean for your family

Malpractice injuries tend to be serious. People lose time at work, sometimes for good. They face more surgery, long rehab, or care at home. A claim can cover those medical costs, lost income, and the pain and loss of enjoyment of life that come with a serious injury.

How these cases are built

Malpractice cases take more work than most injury claims. They depend on medical records, on doctors who are willing to explain where the care fell short, and on careful preparation.

Maine also adds some steps you won’t find in a car accident case. Before most malpractice suits can go forward, a written notice of claim has to be served, and the case is reviewed by a prelitigation screening panel. We explain that process in more detail in How Malpractice Cases Move Through Maine’s System.

Serving Hancock County from Bangor

We represent patients and families throughout Hancock County, including Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, Castine, and Bucksport. Attorneys C. Peter Bos and William N. Palmer have more than 60 years of combined experience, and they prepare every case as if it could go to trial.

Don’t wait too long

Maine gives most malpractice claims about three years from the date of the mistake, with a few exceptions. Because the screening process takes time, it’s better to start early. Getting your records together is the first step, and we can help with that.

If you think medical care harmed you or someone you love, call our Bangor office at (207) 945-5502. We’ll listen, review what happened, and tell you honestly whether you have a case. Learn more on our medical malpractice page.