Patients have a reasonable expectation that the doctors and nurses who treat them have already met high educational standards, will stay abreast of changes in the medical field, and ensure that patient safety is the top priority. Too often, however, that expectation is not met, and patients suffer serious injury because of medical negligence.
In Ohio, there are specific rules that place a significant burden on patients seeking to hold a negligent doctor to account. For example, before a patient can bring a medical malpractice claim, the patient must get an affidavit from another doctor saying that medical malpractice likely occurred. Ohio law also limits the amount of damages a medical malpractice plaintiff can recover, so it is important to have an experienced lawyer assess your case and work to maximize the amount you receive.
Medical errors can occur at any point during a patient’s treatment. Medication errors are all too common, as is misdiagnosis. In many cases, early and accurate diagnosis is the difference between life and death, and doctors have an obligation to diagnose patients accurately and in a timely manner.
In many cases, surgical and emergency room errors leave patients with lifelong injuries that require additional medical treatment and extensive rehabilitation. These are costly results, both in terms of physical impact and financial burden. It is only fair that victims of medical malpractice receive the compensation they need to move on with their lives.
If you are a victim of medical negligence, then you are not alone.
The Chester Law Group represents clients who have been injured because of medical errors. If you would like to learn more about your rights as a patient, then our Medical Malpractice overview is a good place to start.