Ohio Medical Malpractice Attorneys

• 10 ways to protect yourself
• Medical malpractice case results

When medical care fails you

You don’t visit a doctor and expect to get hurt more.

“Do no harm” is the first part of the Hippocratic Oath for a good reason: We put our lives in doctors’ hands.  If we didn’t trust them, nobody would take medicine, submit to anesthesia, go under the blade, or strip down and put on an exam gown.

Most doctors, nurses, and medical staff have more than earned that trust.  They heal people.

But then there are the few who break the sacred oath.  They may misdiagnose, make a dosage error, operate on the wrong part of the body (or the wrong patient), stray from established best-practices, make on omission, or simply fail to communicate.

Often the malpractice is unintentional, but sometimes the failure is widespread or institutional.  A senior physician may make a mistake or have a history of making mistakes, and other doctors or staff may look the other way.

Any time a medical professional fails to follow the accepted standards of practice, there may be a case of medical negligence or malpractice.  Their mistakes can cause injury or illness or death, rip families apart, and create a world of pain that makes the original ailment seem unserious by comparison.

If you suspect that you or a loved one may be a victim of medical negligence, contact Steven M. Goldberg today.  We will provide you with an evaluation of your case.

You can’t fight bad medicine alone

A medical malpractice case can be especially long and complicated.  It’s not always fast or easy to prove that the medical professional’s breach of the standard of care is what directly caused the harm.  We have the resources to support complex cases. Our extensive network of medical experts can provide testimony on your behalf.

Unlike other types of personal injury cases, a medical malpractice case is based on your medical records and on the testimony of medical experts.  Our attorneys are experienced trial lawyers, having practiced since 1989.  We know how to prepare expert medical witnesses whose testimony is critical to the success of your medical malpractice case.

We have the knowledge of medicine and the law to represent your case effectively.  Our long track record of success is often a major factor in being able to reach a settlement.  We can often negotiate fair compensation before your case goes to trial because of our reputation of success in court.

Time is not on your side in a medical malpractice case

Like most states, Ohio has established a statute of limitations – a time limit for filing medical malpractice claims. The statute creates a window of opportunity in which an injured patient must file a claim against a medical provider.  No matter how badly hurt or incapacitated the patient is, once this window closes, the patient will no longer be able to file a lawsuit.

Exactly how much time you have to bring suit depends on many factors.  That is why it is crucial to consult us as soon as you suspect you or someone you know may be the victim of medical malpractice.  We will counsel you on what to expect, and will provide the best resolution to your situation.

Steven M. Goldberg can be on your side every step of the way. Our law firm knows the courts and procedures in Ohio and has extensive legal and medical networks nationwide.  Contact us for an evaluation of your case.

10 ways to protect yourself against medical malpractice

1. Choose your doctor and medical facility carefully.  Finding the right healthcare provider takes research, but your health is worth it. Talk to trusted friends or medical professionals for a good referral. Websites like HealthGrades.com  provide consumers with the information they need to make more informed decisions about the provider’s experience, patient satisfaction, and hospital quality. If you have doubts, check with your state medical board and local court records to determine whether – or how often – the doctor has been sued for malpractice.

2. Be your own advocate. You have a right and responsibility to be involved in your healthcare. Bring a list of questions and concerns to your medical appointment.  Your doctor is there to serve your needs.  If you have had a diagnostic procedure or lab tests, don’t assume that no news is good news.  Ask for the results.  Be persistent.  Ask questions.  If there is ever a reason to be “pushy,” your health is a good reason.

3. Be informed.Learn about your medical condition and treatment options by asking your doctor and nurse and by researching other reliable sources such as Effective Health Care (https://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/options/) and National Guidelines Clearinghouse (https://www.guideline.gov/). Ask your doctor whether your treatment is based on the latest evidence.  There is no treatment, test, or procedure that is risk-free.  Before agreeing to any procedure, make sure you understand the risks and recovery times.

4. Bring an advocate with you. When you are ill or dealing with a worrisome medical condition, it is not always easy to advocate for yourself. Take someone with you who is assertive, observant, alert and willing to speak on your behalf – a “wingman.”  Invite a trusted friend or relative to listen, observe, take notes, ask questions, monitor your medication, and give you support.

5. Provide all the facts. When you withhold medical history and information, you handicap your doctor and jeopardize your health. Even if you fall victim to medical malpractice, it becomes hard or impossible to tell where your negligence ends and theirs begins. Answer questions, even if they may be a little embarrassing.  Along with your medical history and your family’s medical history, provide your doctor with a complete and current list of names and dosages of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, dietary supplements, and herbs you are taking.  If you have any chronic or ongoing conditions, such as diabetes or some other ailment, mention it.  If you have any allergies, provide details of the allergic reactions you have had.  Give a family member or close friend a copy of life-threatening conditions and allergies for use in emergencies.  Don’t assume your family doctor has been informed of your hospital stay.

7. Know yourself.If you think there’s a problem, trust your instincts. You may be right – even if your doctor doesn’t think so.  Insist on a thorough investigation.  Your extra effort will give you peace of mind, and may even save your life or a loved one’s.

8. Get another opinion.  Doctors often have different perspectives on the proper treatment of diseases and injuries. When considering non-emergency surgery, you should always seek a second (or third or fourth) opinion. Another opinion can be useful in diagnosing and treating a chronic illness.

9. Plan for success. If you are having surgery, make sure that you, your doctor, and your surgeon all agree on exactly what will be done. Surgeons are expected to sign their initials directly on the site to be operated on before the surgery. If you can, choose a hospital where the procedure or surgery has been successfully performed many times. Research shows that patients tend to have better results when they are treated in hospitals that have a great deal of experience with their condition.

10. Follow the doctor’s instructions. Unless you have reason to believe that your doctor is negligent, follow directions. Take the amount of medication prescribed. Ask for written information about the side effects your medicine could cause.  Follow up with appointments, physical therapy or additional treatment. When your doctor gives you discharge orders or writes a prescription, make sure you can read it. If you can’t read your doctor’s handwriting, your pharmacist might not be able to, either.  If you have any doubts, call your health care provider right away.

Even if it may be too late to prevent medical malpractice, you shouldn’t suffer for it unnecessarily.  If you think you or a loved one may be a victim of medical negligence, contact Steven M. Goldberg today for an evaluation of your case.