Recently, we have seen a number of medical malpractice cases in Ohio arising out of a physician's failure to protect a patient from consequences of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea occurs when a person experiences abnormal pauses in breathing, or abnormally low breathing, during sleep. Each pause in breathing can last from a few seconds to minutes, and may [...]
Malpractice is negligence. The fact that an injury to a patient is a known and recognized complication of medical treatment does not mean that the doctor is not legally responsible for the outcome. We frequently hear from juries and focus groups that a doctor can't be held accountable when a known complication occurs because that [...]
For consumers who have suffered injury or wrongful death of a loved one due to medical malpractice, often an apology isn't enough. As medical expenses and other bills mount, and disability or death prevents a return to work, an apology cannot make up for the devastating economic consequences of a healthcare catastrophe. Even worse, apologies by healthcare providers [...]
Medical errors often arise when physicians rule out a condition because a common sign or symptom is not present. For instance, physicians can be quick to dismiss infection when there is no fever or abnormal white blood count (WBC). But those signs of infection are not always present. In fact, these signs or symptoms are frequently absent in certain patient [...]
The use of clot busters (also called "thrombolytics") -- medications used to break up clots that block the flow of blood to the brain -- are even more effective in treating stroke in younger patients than elderly ones, according to a new report. The medication is designed to dissolve clots that occur with thromboembolic stroke and thereby [...]
There are two types of surgical errors: avoidable ones and "known and accepted complications of the procedure." Avoidable errors occur when surgeons fail to take proper precautions during a surgery, perform wrong-site surgery or perform a surgery that is not indicated thereby putting the patient at unnecessary risk. When an avoidable surgical error occurs and harm ensues, there is likely [...]
For consumers with multiple sclerosis (MS), the so-called "liberation therapy" seemed like a magic bullet. Not so fast, says the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA recently issued an alert warning about injuries and deaths associated with the use of the liberation procedure to treat MS. Liberation therapy was developed to treat chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI). [...]
What is the life expectancy of U.S. citizens and what is the leading cause of death in the U.S.? The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) publishes vital statistics on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy and trends. The highlights from the most recent data shows that: 1. Average Life expectancy was 78.1 years. [...]
Claims for delay in diagnosis of cancer are common in Ohio. Medical malpractice cases involving a delayed diagnosis, or a delay in treatment, of malignant melanoma require consideration of a number of factors. A recent medical study underscores the importance of proper surgical treatment upon timely diagnosis of this potentially deadly cancer. Malignant melanoma is a [...]
As a technical matter, clients can represent themselves in medical malpractice litigation in Ohio on a pro se basis. However, as a practical matter, medical negligence litigation is so complicated that it would be impossible for a lay person, or even a lawyer who does not specialize in medical negligence litigation, to represent themselves. Experienced medical [...]