Medical Negligence Lawyer Cleveland, OH

According to multiple studies, medical negligence is the number three cause of death in this country, following heart disease and cancer. In fact, it is estimated that more than a quarter of a million people die each year because of medical errors. In Ohio and other states, victims of medical errors can pursue medical malpractice lawsuits.

At Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A, each Cleveland, OH medical negligence lawyer understands that although medical errors are so common, proving that medical malpractice took place can be complex. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a medical error, call our office to find out how our firm can help. In the meantime, the following is a brief overview of the elements needed in a malpractice lawsuit.

Burden of Proof

In a medical malpractice lawsuit, the burden of proof lies with the victim. A Cleveland medical negligence lawyer must prove that the injury or illness the victim suffered was due to the negligence or recklessness of a medical professional.

Three Elements

In order to be successful at proving medical malpractice, a medical negligence lawyer in Cleveland, OH must show that three elements exist in the case:

1. The medical professional was negligent and deviated from the acceptable medical standard of care.
2. The victim suffered an injury or illness as a result of that negligence and deviation.
3. The victim sustained damages (losses) as a result of their injury or illness.

Statute of Limitations

Just like all personal injury lawsuits, there is a statute of limitations for how long a victim has to file their medical malpractice claim. Although there may be some exceptions, in most cases, once the statute of limitations has expired, a victim can no longer pursue their claim.

Each state sets its own statute of limitations. A Cleveland medical negligence lawyer can explain to you what the time limit is in your situation.

Settlement vs. Award

The majority of medical malpractice lawsuits do not go to trial. They are usually settled through negotiations between the victim’s Cleveland medical negligence lawyer and the alleged at-fault medical professional’s malpractice insurance company. Litigating a case can be extremely expensive, making settlements much more attractive to insurance companies. However, because higher attorney fees, court costs, and other expenses are avoided when there is a settlement, the amount the victim receives is usually less than what they would have been awarded by a jury trial.  But keep in mind that there will be minimal deductions from the victim’s award like there would be if there was a trial.

Getting Your Medical Malpractice Claim Filed on Time

If you or a loved one were a victim of medical malpractice, there is a time limit for which you have to file a claim. This time limit is called the statute of limitations, and it varies by state. For example, one state might allow a victim four years, and a neighboring state might allow a victim only two years. It’s important you speak with a medical negligence lawyer in Cleveland, OH families trust so you can better understand how long you have to file the claim.

If You Miss the Deadline

If the time has passed beyond the statute of limitations in your state, but you try to file a claim anyway, the case will most likely be dismissed. Unfortunately, when you wait too long, you lose your right to compensation, regardless of the severity of your injuries or illness. If you miss the deadline, speak with a medical negligence lawyer in Cleveland, OH to find out if your situation qualifies for any exceptions.

Exceptions to the Rule

In most cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins counting down as soon as the medical mistake is made. There are special rules and exceptions to the rule depending on the state in which you live. The following are some of these:

Discovery – If it takes a longer period of time than the statute of limitations to discover malpractice, the statute would actually begin at the time of discovery. For example, you might live in a state where the statute of limitations is two years. If an object was left in your body during surgery in 2015, you may not know it’s there. In 2020 when you start having health issues and discover that a foreign object is causing them, you’d “discover” you were the potential victim of malpractice. The statute would then likely begin in 2020. A medical negligence lawyer in Cleveland, OH has to offer can explain the discovery rule in further detail during a consultation.

1. Minors – There are some states that allow a minor to file a claim after he or she reaches the age of 18, regardless of how many years earlier the malpractice occurred. For example, if a ten-year-old child is misdiagnosed and suffers for years because of the mistake, even in a state with a two-year statute of limitations, he or she could file a claim sometime between turning 18 and 20. This is because the statute wouldn’t begin until the child turned 18. If you are newly 18 years of age and would like to know about filing a claim based upon medical malpractice when you were a child, please call a medical negligence lawyer in Cleveland, OH.
2. Unconsciousness – Sometimes medical malpractice results in unconsciousness. If that is the case, the individual would be unable to file a claim. If he or she wakes up ten years later, the statute would begin counting down at that point.

Learning More

Living with the repercussions of medical malpractice can be debilitating, but there are people who can help you. To learn more about medical malpractice claims and how long you have to file one, contact a Cleveland, Ohio medical negligence lawyer today.

4 Common Mistakes That Lead to Medical Malpractice

People put their lives in the hands of medical professionals. The type of care one receives from a doctor could be the difference between good health and bad health, or even life and death. When someone in the healthcare industry fails to act in a responsible way, and his or her negligence results in a patient’s injury or illness, that patient may be entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice lawsuit. The following are four common mistakes that could lead to this. For more detailed information, contact a medical negligence lawyer in Cleveland, OH. 

Errors Related to Medication

The wrong medication could have the opposite effect of the intended purpose, which can be devastating in many situations. Whether the doctor prescribed the wrong medication, the nurse placed the order to the pharmacy incorrectly or the pharmacist messed up when filling the order, the responsible party should be held liable and the patient should receive proper compensation.

Errors During Surgery

A Cleveland, OH medical negligence lawyer knows that surgical errors are some of the most common reasons for medical malpractice lawsuits, due in part to the delicate nature of the job and the varied outcomes. Something outlandish could happen, such as the surgeon leaving a medical device inside the patient. Something life-threatening could also happen, such as the surgeon nicking a vein that continues to bleed and cannot be easily stopped. There’s also the possibility the surgeon will operate on the wrong body part. Any of these situations are typically good reasons for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Errors of Childbirth

Unfortunately, there’s a lot that goes wrong with both mom and baby during childbirth. Fortunately, doctors have the training required to handle those situations so you end up with the most favorable outcome. When a doctor fails to anticipate a potential problem before birth, uses inappropriate tools or tries a questionable method, and any of those circumstances leads to injury or illness, the mother or her family may file for medical malpractice. A medical negligence lawyer in Cleveland, OH can help.

4 Common Mistakes That Lead to Medical Malpractice Infographic

Why Are Medical Errors So Common?

If you are thinking about reaching out to a medical negligence lawyer in Cleveland, OH patients trust in order to ask questions and explore your options, you’re probably not just frustrated with your own situation. You’re probably very frustrated with the culture that allows medical errors to be so prevalent in the first place. While the knowledgeable legal team at Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A. would never assume to understand every influence that impacts the prevalence of medical errors in the U.S., there are some top offending influences that can and must be addressed to prevent harm like yours from occurring in the future. Among those influences are: understaffing, a lack of accountability among peers, an unwillingness to risk liability by holding oneself accountable in a professional context, and fear of being sued if mistakes are admitted to freely.

Birth Injuries and Defects, What’s the Difference?

Usually caused by issues or wandering child delivery calls will typically occur prior to the baby’s birth or before the pregnancy. For every 1000 babies born in the United States commonly, five others are going to be injured during birth according to the CDC statistic. Often times 7% of all babies are estimated to be born with a minor severe birth effect. Bartenders are often doctors prior to adequately assess her bond complications that happen during pregnancy or delivery. Often they can be avoided. Prescription drugs taken during pregnancy may also harm the baby and result in injuries and defects and it could’ve been avoided because those drugs not been prescribed.

Common birth injuries include:

• Cerebral palsy
• Erb’s palsy
• Shoulder Dystocia
• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Common birth defects include:

• Heart defects
• Cleft palate
• Abnormal limbs

When your doctor has accepted to treat you as a patient, they take on a duty of care. This means there were quite a treat unicorns accepted standards of care in their state and their profession. Not meeting the standard of care is going to be a breach of duty which means the doctor can be held liable for any damage that they cause you. A birth injury or a birth defect often involves extensive medical treatment and specialized care, and it can be extremely hard to prove that your physician caused damage to your child in this instance. However, a good birth defect lawyer will definitely be able to walk you through the process and decide if your child was injured by unavoidable circumstances or if you have a case.

So even though the birth of terms injury and birth defect are used interchangeably by laymen, these are actually separate conditions and issues legally. You should ensure when you approach a lawyer about dealing with this, that you know what you’re dealing with. If you don’t, your lawyer can most likely help you determine it. Both issues can cause disabilities, but a birth injury happens and causes injury to an otherwise healthy newborn. 

Birth defects are not typically the physician’s fault but sometimes if the prescription medication was used that should not have been used while pregnant (and most of these interactions are known) then you may have a case for a birth defect if it’s caused by a medication you were prescribed. It would come down to whether any other doctor in your doctor’s position would have treated you with that medication or not. If not, then you have a case.

It is important to know that not all birth injuries are caused by negligence. Complications can naturally accompany any woman’s delivery. If your child has a natural complication that forces your physician to do something to help the birth along, and it causes an injury, then you won’t have a case because it will be seen as in the child’s best interest. Some of those instances are:

• Overly large babies
• Premature deliveries
• Inadequate size and/or shape of mother’s pelvis for a vaginal birth
• Prolonged labor
• Abnormal positioning of the fetus (breech births)

Errors Regarding Diagnosis

It’s possible your doctor won’t be able to diagnose you, but in that case, he or she should refer you to someone else. If the doctor fails to diagnose you, fails to refer you to a specialist, misdiagnoses your condition or delays diagnosis to the point it’s too late for treatment, a medical malpractice lawsuit might be your next step.

Cleveland Medical Negligence Law FAQs

Are You a Victim of Medical Error?

If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional anguish, disability, and more. Call Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A to schedule a free case evaluation with a medical negligence lawyer families count on and find out what legal recourse you may have against the medical professionals responsible for your injuries.

Is a lawsuit different than an insurance claim?

Yes. An insurance claim is when you attempt to settle with the negligent party’s insurance company for damages that have resulted from the accident. While lawyers are certainly involved in this process, filing an insurance claim allows them to settle outside the courtroom. A lawsuit is much different than this. Sometimes it may be appropriate to pursue a lawsuit without engaging in the claims process. In other situations, our medical negligence lawsuit settlement lawyer in Cleveland OH shares that you may choose to pursue a lawsuit if you are unable to reach an agreement through the settlement process. A lawsuit is when you go to court and litigate your case before a judge and jury. While a lawsuit can yield a higher award, you also are at risk of walking away empty-handed if the judge does not rule in your favor.  

What are common types of medical negligence cases that might call for the assistance of a lawyer?

Medical malpractice can be severe, calling for an experienced Cleveland OH medical negligence lawsuit settlement lawyer. Typical cases that might call for legal action include:  

• Misdiagnosis
• Delayed Diagnosis
• Surgical Errors
• Anesthesia Errors
• Medication Mismanagement

 If I think that I have a medical malpractice claim, what should I do?

If you believe that you have a medical malpractice case, your first call should be to our Cleveland OH medical negligence lawsuit settlement lawyer. Start by scheduling a consultation so that you can have your case reviewed to determine the best way to move forward.  

How long will it take for my case to reach a resolution?

The range for how long it might take to resolve a case of medical negligence can vary. In some cases, it might be possible to settle within a year. Other, more complicated situations that require litigation could take much longer.  

How long do I have to take legal action? What is the statute of limitations?

Because of limited time frames, it’s vital that you reach out to our medical negligence lawyer Cleveland OH victims recommend. The statute of limitations is the window of time that you have to take legal action. In the state of Ohio, the statute of limitations is one year. Once this window has closed, you will lose your ability to obtain compensation.

What Do I Do if I’m Unsure of Whether I’ve Suffered Due to a Medical Error?

If you’re unsure of whether the harm you’re suffering was caused (in part, or totally) due to the medical negligence of a healthcare provider, you’re not alone. Unless the offending provider freely admits to a misstep, it can be nearly impossible to determine whether you’ve been affected by medical error unless your situation has been thoroughly investigated. Know that the Cleveland, OH medical negligence lawyer team at Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A. has extensive experience with situations such as yours and knows what to ask and how to gather evidence in a concerted effort to uncover the truth.

When Do I Need to Act?

Each state sets its own statute of limitations for personal injury cases related to medical negligence. Generally speaking, you’re given a set number of years to file a lawsuit after you’ve either been harmed or discovered that the harm you’ve suffered stemmed from medical negligence. Minors are often given longer to act upon their harm than adults are. Connect with our firm today to learn more about when you must act before you’ll be barred from receiving compensation to which you’d otherwise have a right.

How Do I Prepare for a Legal Consultation?

Before you attend a consultation at our office, take some time to write down your questions and concerns. This effort will help to ensure that you don’t leave your consultation with lingering concerns that have yet to be directly addressed. Also, take time to gather any documentation about your situation – medical records, emails, etc. – that may help us to better understand the ins and outs of your situation. The more information we can assess, the more personalized we can ensure that our legal guidance is on your behalf.

What Do I Do if I’ve Been Offered a Medical Malpractice Settlement?

If you’ve already been offered a medical malpractice settlement by an offending healthcare provider, it is critically important that you reach out to the experienced Ohio legal team at Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A. as soon as you can so that we can review the terms of that offer. Chances are that you’re only going to be granted a few days before you’ll need to reject or accept the offer. You should understand that you’re probably signing away important rights and your offer may be inadequate to meet your needs and losses. By allowing our Cleveland, OH medical negligence lawyer team to review it first, you’ll be able to reject or accept it with confidence.

Cleveland Medical Error Statistics

According to the Institute of Medicine, between 210,000 and 440,000 people die each year in the US due to medical errors. This makes medical errors the third leading cause of death in the US, after heart disease and cancer.

Get in Touch With a Cleveland, OH Medical Negligence Lawyer

Whether you think you have a medical malpractice case on your hands or are just interested in learning more, it’s important you speak with the professionals. Get in touch with a medical malpractice lawyer today to have your questions answered.

Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A.

If you suffered damages due to medical negligence, the time to act is now. Get started today by contacting Mishkind Kulwicki Law Co., L.P.A, to schedule an appointment with a member of our team. Our Cleveland OH medical negligence lawsuit settlement lawyer is prepared to support you today. 

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