Medical errors happen more often than most people realize. They can have devastating consequences for patients and even put their lives at risk. Some patients can recover after suffering such errors, but many face permanent disability and even death.
In Cincinnati, these mistakes can leave victims and their families overwhelmed and looking for answers. Here’s what you need to know if you or a loved one suffered a medical error in the city.
Medical Mistakes and Patient Safety
Every year, thousands of patients suffer from avoidable health mistakes. An error can happen for many reasons, such as fatigue, poor communication, misinterpreted test results, and even neglect. While not every bad outcome is caused by negligence, others are completely preventable.
Medical professionals are supposed to uphold a certain standard of care. When they fall short of that expectation, their patients can suffer. Unfortunately, not all mistakes are reported, and victims don’t always know their rights.
Common Medical Mistakes in Cincinnati
Certain medical errors happen more frequently than others, and when they do, they can cause severe harm.
Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis
A misdiagnosis happens when a doctor diagnoses the wrong condition, while a delayed diagnosis is when they don’t identify an illness quickly enough. Both scenarios can be deadly. Cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and infections are often missed or mistaken for something less serious.
For example, suppose that a doctor tells a patient that their chest pain is just indigestion when it’s actually a heart attack. That delay can cost the patient their life, and the same goes for any situation involving cancer. The longer it goes undetected, the harder it generally is to treat.
Surgical Mistakes and Wrong Site Surgery
Every surgery comes with risks, but preventable mistakes are a different scenario. It’s not unheard of for a surgeon to operate on the wrong body part or patient, do the incorrect procedure, or even leave tools inside the patient. Each of these errors can cause permanent damage, require additional surgeries, and lead to life-threatening infections.
Medication and Dosage Errors
Medication errors can be deadly. A nurse might give the wrong dose of a drug, a doctor could prescribe something the patient is allergic to, or a pharmacist might mislabel a bottle. Such mistakes can trigger anything from a mild reaction to organ failure.
Hospital-Acquired Infection
Infections picked up in a medical setting usually happen because of poor sterilization or contaminated equipment. Patients going in for surgery and those with weak immune systems can be especially vulnerable. Something as minor as a nurse forgetting to wash their hands can lead to a serious life-threatening infection.
Anesthesia Mistakes
Anesthesia is a vital part of surgeries, but the smallest anesthesia mistake can lead to permanent injury. Too much can cause brain damage, and too little can leave a patient awake and in agony during surgery. Common errors include:
- Giving the wrong dosage
- Not paying attention to the patient’s vital signs
- Not looking at a patient’s medical history
Mistakes with anesthesia can cause heart complications, oxygen deprivation, and even death.
How Medical Mistakes Impact Victims’ Health and Lives
Medical errors can cause a lot more than just physical pain. Many victims face long-term problems like chronic pain and emotional trauma. Some are forced to have additional surgeries to fix the mistake, while others can’t work or take care of themselves anymore.
Families suffer, too. They often take on caregiving responsibilities and deal with the overwhelming medical bills. The financial burden alone can be crushing, particularly if the victim was the main breadwinner.
For those who lose a loved one because of a preventable mistake, the emotional toll is immeasurable. No one expects to go into a hospital and never come out, but for some people, that’s the heartbreaking reality.
Legal Options for Victims
Fortunately, if you or a loved one has suffered from a medical mistake, you have legal options. In Ohio, victims can file a medical malpractice lawsuit to seek compensation for medical costs, lost time from work, pain and suffering, and other financial losses.
To prove negligence, you have to be able to show that:
- The healthcare provider had a duty of care
- They breached that duty by not following the standard of care
- That breach caused harm
- You suffered financial losses because of the harm
A successful claim needs to be supported by medical records, expert testimony, and a thorough investigation. Hospitals and their insurance companies may fight back, but a skilled attorney can help you build a strong case against the responsible party.
FAQ
What Should I Do if I Think I’ve Been a Victim of a Medical Mistake?
Document everything. Keep copies of your medical records, prescriptions, and test results. If you can, get a second opinion from another doctor. You’ll also want to talk to a lawyer to go over your options.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Generally, Ohio law gives victims of medical malpractice one year from the day of the mistake — or from when they discovered the mistake — to file a lawsuit. However, there are some exceptions that could change that deadline, so it’s best to contact an attorney as soon as you can.
What Compensation Can I Recover?
Every case is different, but most victims can go after compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If a loved one dies because of a medical mistake, certain members of their family may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
How Can a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Help?
An attorney can investigate your case, collect the evidence you need, talk to experts, and negotiate with insurance companies. They can help you fight to get the compensation you’re entitled to.
Get the Legal Help You Deserve Today
If you’ve suffered from a medical mistake, the seasoned team at The Moore Law Firm can help. We fight for victims of medical malpractice in Cincinnati to hold negligent providers accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one as a result of another person's negligence, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. The simple fact is that you should not be forced to pay the price for another person's careless or reckless actions.