Medical malpractice attorney Elliott A. Alman assists clients in cases against psychiatrists who have violated the trust of their patients or infringed upon the doctor-patient relationship in an unprofessional or negligent manner. Based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Alman & Alman, LLC, Attorneys at Law serves clients in Aspen Hill, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Clarksburg, Damascus, Darnestown, Frederick, Germantown, Glenmont, Hagerstown, Kentlands, Lakelands, Montgomery Village, North Potomac, Poolesville, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Urbana, Montgomery County, Frederick County, Prince Georges County, and Washington County. Medical malpractice occurs when a negligent act or omission by a doctor or other medical professional results in damage or harm to a patient. Negligence by a medical professional could include an error in a diagnosis, treatment or illness management. If such negligence results in injury to a patient, a case could arise against the doctor if his or her actions deviated from generally accepted standards of practice ; against the hospital for improper care, such as problems with medications, sanitation or nursing care ; or against local, state or federal agencies that operate hospital facilities. Medical malpractice laws are designed to protect patients rights to pursue compensation if they are injured as the result of negligence. However, malpractice suits are often complex and costly to win. While theoretically, you can seek compensation for any injury caused by negligence, regardless of its seriousness, time and money make it unrealistic to sue for an injury that is minor or heals quickly. Therefore, if you believe you have a medical malpractice claim, it is important to consult with an attorney who can help you determine whether your claim is worth pursuing. Most medical malpractice cases proceed under the theory that a medical professional was negligent in treating the patient. To establish medical negligence, an injured patient, the plaintiff, must prove: The existence of a duty owed by the health care professional to the plaintiff ( for example, a doctor/patient relationship ) The applicable standard of care, and the health care professionals deviation from that standard, which is deemed a breach of the duty owed to the patient A causal connection between the health care professionals deviation from the standard of care and the patients injury