Medical Malpractice in Ohio

When you or a loved one needs medical treatment, you expect medical professionals to use their expertise and experience to treat your illnesses and injuries and put you back on the path to good health.  But when a healthcare professional or organization betrays that trust, you may find yourself far worse off than you started. Medical errors can prolong illness or injury, worsen existing conditions, and even cause new harm.

What is Medical Malpractice? 

Medical providers, like most others, are responsible for harm caused by their negligence. For example, a medical provider may be liable for damages if a physician negligently fails to diagnose a condition in a timely manner, leading to worsening of the condition or limitation of treatment options. 

Other common types of medical negligence include surgical errors such as leaving an object in the body or failing to monitor the patient post-surgery. These errors may lead to complications, ranging from extra days in the hospital or additional medical treatment to lifelong injury or even death. 

Pursuing Compensation after Medical Malpractice

Unfortunately, Ohio victims of medical malpractice face some serious obstacles. Although a medical malpractice claim is a negligence claim much like a car accident or slip and fall claim, Ohio law creates additional obstacles for those injured by healthcare providers. 

One of the most significant is the requirement that a medical malpractice filing be accompanied by an affidavit from a qualified expert witness. In theory, this is a screening tool to prevent the filing of unwarranted medical malpractice claims. But it also acts as a barrier for injured patients who may not know how to find a qualified expert or may be unable to pay the expert’s fees. 

Other complications include additional notice requirements, a complicated statute of limitations that may make it difficult to know how long you have to file a malpractice case, and the need for medical experts at trial and to assist in the preparation of your case. 

In view of these special requirements and considerations, it’s especially important to work with an attorney who is experienced in medical malpractice litigation, understands the process, has experience working with medical experts, and has access to those experts. 

The information in this section will give you an overview of the process associated with Ohio medical malpractice claims, the special considerations, the most common types of medical malpractice, and more. When you’re ready to move forward, an experienced Ohio medical malpractice lawyer will be your best resource.