Defining Medical Malpractice in Ohio July 5, 2012.
Medical malpractice is defined as negligence or a mistake that causes injury to a patient. This negligence could take the form of:
- misdiagnosis;
- failure to diagnose;
- an anesthesia mistake;
- surgical errors;
- unnecessary procedures;
- a birth injury;
- misuse of equipment;
- prescription mistakes or medication errors;
- failure to follow up or monitor recovery; and
- hospital-acquired infections.
What Are the Elements of a Successful Medical Malpractice Case in Cleveland?
A jury will consider four factors:
- duty of care – the legal requirement that a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional treat his or her patients within the accepted standard of care;
- negligence – if your healthcare provider deviated from that accepted standard of care and caused you harm, illness, disability, or disfigurement, this is considered negligent behavior;
- injury – the negligent act or mistake must have caused you to become ill, injured, disabled, or disfigured; and
- causation – you will have to show that your doctor’s negligence directly caused undue injury and damages and that you would not have endured this pain if not for his or her error.
For more information, request or download attorney Chris Mellino‘s free, easy-to-read guide to filing a claim in Ohio. To see if you have a case worth pursuing, contact our Cleveland office for a free consultation.
Can I File a Claim?
Every medical malpractice claim is different, but there are certain questions each victim should ask him- or herself:
- Can I prove that a medical mistake or negligence caused my injury?
- Will I need ongoing medical treatment or another surgery because of this situation?
- Did my physician and/or hospital staff act in an inappropriate or careless manner?
- How am I going to pay for my medical expenses, rehabilitation, prescriptions, and lost wages?
What Do I Need in Order to Prove My Claim?
Your medical malpractice lawyer will ask for the following:
- medical records and history;
- the names and contact information for all medical staff that treated you; and
- any correspondence, documents, and bills from that hospital or clinic.
Attorney Chris Mellino invites you to contact our office with any questions you may have. We combine specialized medical knowledge, exceptional trial skills, and superior negotiating talent to obtain full and fair compensation for clients and to hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions.
As a small practice, Mellino Law Firm gives all medical malpractice cases the unique attention they deserve. By only accepting a few cases at a time, our attorneys are able to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice. We pride ourselves on relentlessly advocating for those who have been injured.
If we accept your case, we will sit down with you, review all the facts, and help you understand your legal options. You can count on us to help you every step of the way, from your initial visit to the conclusion of your case. Contact us today for a free consultation or call (440) 333-3800.