Understanding what some common types of hospital errors in Cleveland are can help individuals understand if they have a valid claim. A successful hospital error case usually requires proof that the treatment was below the relevant standard of care and caused additional injury. Therefore, every adverse outcome in a hospital is not always classified as medical malpractice.
Cleveland hosts many patients seeking medical care from hospitals such as Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, MetroHealth Medical Center, and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center. Patients treated for complex conditions at any hospital may be seen by many physicians, nurses, and departments throughout their care. When errors occur, it can be important to identify exactly where in the hospital the alleged failure occurred.
Diagnostic Errors
When doctors fail to recognize a condition or do not diagnose it in time, treatment may be delayed until it is less effective. Examples of delayed diagnosis can include certain cancers, infections, heart attacks, strokes, and other serious illnesses.
Diagnostic errors are a serious problem. According to one study, diagnostic errors leading to permanent injury or death involving major diseases occur in 795,000 Americans every year. A study of 29 US academic medical centers found diagnostic errors in 23% of patients. Of those patients, approximately 18% experienced temporary harm, permanent injury, or death as a result of the diagnostic error.
Medication Errors
Doctors and nurses may make medication errors by prescribing or providing the wrong medication or dosage. Providers should also review potential allergies and interactions with other drugs before prescribing medications.
A hospital pharmacy’s records and electronic medical records may be useful for determining who was responsible for the error. The prescription records can reveal who prescribed the medication, the date it was dispensed by the pharmacy, and when the patient actually picked it up.
Surgical and Postoperative Errors
Surgeries are complex procedures with serious but well-known risks. Adverse outcomes due to these known risks do not necessarily create a viable malpractice claim. However, surgical errors by doctors may involve injuries that could have been prevented by proper care. Doctors should also monitor patients after surgery for complications. Certain symptoms such as fever, pain, or changes in blood pressure may require immediate intervention.
Failing to Monitor a Patient
Patients who are hospitalized may require continuous monitoring. For example, doctors and nurses may need to track vital signs, bloodwork, or neurological function. Serious deterioration in a patient’s condition can occur rapidly when these conditions are not monitored.
Failure to recognize and respond to changes in a patient’s condition can cause an underlying condition to worsen. Like other medical malpractice cases, the patient must have incurred additional injury from the error.
Ohio Hospital Error Laws
Ohio Revised Code § 2305.113 states that medical claims must be initiated within one year after the cause of action occurs. There is also a four-year statute of repose that applies to most medical claims in Ohio.
Ohio Revised Code § 2323.451 contains Ohio’s affidavit-of-merit requirements. Medical malpractice plaintiffs are typically required to obtain preliminary professional evidence before proceeding with a claim against a healthcare provider.
Hire a Hospital Error Lawyer
At Spangenberg Shibley & Liber, our focus is on significant litigation for our clients. Our Cleveland hospital error attorneys routinely handle complex cases involving catastrophic injuries and preventable hospital errors.
Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has recovered more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of clients. This includes multimillion-dollar medical malpractice settlements and verdicts involving paralysis, missed diagnoses, and wrongful death. However, past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.
The firm has also handled a significant number of cases that proceed to trial. Over the last two years, Spangenberg Shibley & Liber has obtained 25% of all seven-figure-plus verdicts in Ohio. We prepare these cases for trial when necessary and can go to trial to get results clients deserve. Contact us today to hire a hospital lawyer.
