If you or a loved one was seriously injured due to a doctor’s negligence, you should immediately contact our Cleveland, Ohio office and speak to a Cleveland medical malpractice attorney to evaluate your case. Our seasoned legal team at Slater & Zurz has earned a notable track record of success in our over 32 years of successfully handling medical malpractice and other personal injury cases. We welcome you to contact our Cleveland, Ohio, law office to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation where we can give you answers to your legal questions and provide expert advice on whether you have a valid malpractice claim.
Most doctors and other medical professionals in the Cleveland area do their job very well. But unfortunately, there are times when some healthcare providers are negligent or reckless and end up harming their patients.
A doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional’s actions are considered medical malpractice when they fail to act in a reasonable manner when diagnosing or treating a patient. Acts of medical malpractice can cause devastating injuries and illnesses that can even lead to a patient’s death. When a patient becomes a victim of medical malpractice, they can seek compensation for their injuries and associated losses.
Medical Malpractice Claims in Cleveland, Ohio
At our law firm, our medical malpractice attorneys are dedicated to addressing the complexities of healthcare negligence, ensuring victims receive the justice and compensation they deserve. When the medical treatment you receive from your doctor or other healthcare professional falls below the accepted standard of care, and you suffer an injury as a result, your actions constitute a medical malpractice claim. These claims can arise from a wide range of incidents; however, below are some of the more common medical errors associated with medical malpractice:
Surgical errors – A surgical error is a mistake that occurs during surgery, such as performing surgery on the wrong body part or leaving medical instruments inside the patient. Because there is nearly always an element of risk when having a procedure done, it is common for the doctor to have the patient sign a consent form stating that he or she understands the known risks associated with the surgery. However, surgical errors associated with medical malpractice are highly preventable mistakes that go beyond the known risks of performing surgery.
Medication errors – Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists can be liable when a patient is prescribed or given the wrong type or amount of medication. It is not uncommon for a mistake to be made when determining what medication should be prescribed or what dosage the patient should receive but some of these mistakes can lead to devastating consequences. Examples of medication errors include administering the wrong medication, administering the wrong dosage, mislabeling the medication, prescribing a medication the patient is allergic to, and failing to warn the patient of the potential side effects.
Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis – A large number of medical malpractice cases stem from the misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of a patient’s medical condition or illness. When a physician’s diagnosis error leads to delayed or incorrect treatment or even no treatment at all, a patient’s health can be in serious jeopardy and may even lead to wrongful death.
Birth injuries – Unexpected complications can happen during the labor and delivery process. But in some situations, injuries to the mother or baby result from inadequate care by a medical professional. Common birth injuries include cerebral palsy, brain damage, and brachial plexus injuries.
In addition to the common medical malpractice claims described above, many other situations may give rise to a medical negligence action, including:
- Failure to order necessary tests
- Anesthesia errors
- Emergency room errors
- Patient neglect
- Failure to adequately monitor a patient
- Treatment delays
- Hospital negligence
- Failure to perform an in-person exam
- Radiation malpractice
- Failure to obtain patient information
- Chiropractic errors
- Dentist negligence
Proving Medical Malpractice in Cleveland
Our leading medical malpractice attorneys at Slater & Zurz LLP have consistently helped injured victims and their families get their deserved justice. Cases involving medical negligence can be challenging as they are typically fought aggressively by the medical professional and their insurance company. However, through our over 100 years of collective experience handling these cases, we have learned precisely what it takes to present a compelling case and fight effectively to obtain maximum recovery for our clients. For a medical malpractice case to reach a successful outcome, four key elements must be shown.
- The doctor or other healthcare provider must treat you using an acceptable standard of care.
- Their duty to exercise adequate care was breached when the provider failed to provide the necessary medical care.
- The medical professional’s breach of owed duty directly caused you harm or injury.
- You incurred losses as a result of your injuries. It is important to note you must have incurred damages to have a valid medical malpractice claim.
Our law firm collaborates with esteemed medical experts to substantiate your claim, ensuring that every aspect of your case is backed by authoritative healthcare insights.
Compensation in a Cleveland Medical Malpractice Case
Depending on the nature of your case, a medical malpractice lawsuit pursued by our seasoned malpractice attorneys can result in significant financial compensation. Available damages our Cleveland legal team will pursue may include:
- Medical expenses
- Costs for future medical care
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Prescription medication costs
- Lost income
- Lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages (if your loved one died as a result of medical malpractice)
Our attorneys work diligently to ensure the true nature and extent of your injuries are adequately shown. This allows us to fight for every penny you deserve. We advocate aggressively for maximum recovery to ensure you receive the full financial compensation you need to recover physically and financially from your injuries.
Skilled Cleveland Trial Lawyers
As skilled Cleveland trial lawyers seasoned in medical malpractice, we are prepared to present your case in court, leveraging our comprehensive understanding of health care law and medical practices. Doctors, hospitals, and other medical professionals carry medical malpractice insurance to cover the compensation won by an injured victim in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Though most of the cases we handle are resolved through negotiation with the at-fault party’s insurance company, there are times when the insurance company refuses to accept liability. In these cases, we take the matter to trial. Our attorneys are not only skilled at medical malpractice but are also seasoned trial lawyers who never shy away from representing your best interests in court if necessary. We are committed to doing everything within our power to get our clients the justice they deserve. No matter what it takes, you can rest assured our Cleveland legal team will fight aggressively to protect your rights and get you the full compensation you are entitled to.
Statute of Limitations for Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
A statute of limitations is a law that sets the amount of time an injured victim has to file a lawsuit. In Ohio, an injured patient seeking compensation in a medical malpractice case has one year to take legal action. Ohio Revised Code 2305.113 details that the one-year time frame begins either when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the injury or when your relationship with the medical professional ends, whichever occurs later.
Talk to Our Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyer Today
If you or a loved one has been a victim of negligent medical care and needs the assistance of a qualified medical malpractice attorney, contact the law firm of Slater & Zurz LLP today. We know what it takes to successfully take on insurance companies and get you your rightful compensation. Let us put our decades of experience to work for you to protect your rights and bring you justice. We offer free initial consultations to ensure you receive the sound legal advice you need. Under Ohio law, injured parties only have one year from the date of injury to take legal action against a negligent party. Ready to take the next step towards recovery and justice? Contact our law firm to speak with a dedicated Cleveland medical malpractice attorney at (440)557-2861.