Grounds for Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim June 21, 2013.

Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor or other healthcare professional causes harm by not providing adequate care. This may include misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose a condition, neglecting to follow up on test results, hospital-acquired infection, or a surgical error.

Liable Parties

If a physician performed an exam or procedure and made a mistake, he or she may be held responsible. If the facility failed to monitor a patient or to conduct necessary tests, that hospital or clinic may be held accountable.

When and How to File a Medical Malpractice Claim

Ohio’s statute of limitations restricts the amount of time that an injured, disabled, or disfigured patient may file a claim, so it’s best to seek counsel as soon as you suspect your doctor was negligent. Also, the longer you wait, the less likely it is that you will receive compensation for pain and suffering.

To help build your case, be sure to keep all bills, records, and other documents related to your healthcare. If you are missing any of the information about the office visits, testing, and procedures you received, contact the medical facility for copies.

You may wish to research the condition for which you sought treatment in order to familiarize yourself with the acceptable standard of care and how your healthcare provider deviated from that standard. Our free, easy-to-read guide to filing malpractice claims in Cleveland, Ohio, can help you understand whether you have a viable case. Request your copy today or contact us for a free consultation.