Ohio Personal Injury Attorney Lists Available Medical Malpractice Damages June 23, 2012.

Each state has its own laws when it comes to medical malpractice damages. For example, some states only allow a victim to collect for their actual medical expenses and lost work but not for pain and suffering.

Your Ohio personal injury attorney can explain the details of the types of damages available to you, but, in the meantime, here’s an overview.

• Economic damages, also known as special damages. This refers to the bills for your medical treatments, how much money you lost through time off work and the impact the injury has on your future earning power. The amount of compensation depends on the amount owed in medical bills and the amount the claimant earned from his or her career. Experts such as economists and life care professionals may be used to determine an amount.
• Non-economic damages cover the emotional and mental effects of the condition and the loss of overall quality of life that was caused by your injury or illness. It’s a bit trickier to determine non-economic damages because they cannot be quantified in the way financial damages can. However, your attorney will speak with other professionals to determine a fair and acceptable amount for your unique case.
• Punitive damages are rare in many states, but not unheard of. An attorney might seek punitive damages in cases where the physician’s behavior was extremely irresponsible, such as if he or she was under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol at the time of the adverse event.

It’s your right under the law to pursue compensation for an injury that someone else was responsible for. When malpractice makes you ill, you might not realize it right away, but if you want to pursue a claim, it’s best to act as soon as you’re aware of the situation.

The statute of limitations in Ohio is 1 year after the discovery of the injury that resulted from malpractice, so speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.