Wrongful Death and Medical Malpractice
May 24, 2018When we leave our loved ones in the care of hospitals and doctors, we literally trust these medical professionals with the lives of our family and friends. We count on them to provide those we love with competent and attentive care. So when a loved one is injured or suffers wrongful death caused by medical malpractice, the emotional and personal devastation can be unfathomable.
The lawyers of Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA are dedicated to helping those who have lost a loved one because of medical errors and hospital carelessness. Families of the victims of wrongful death have a right to pursue justice for their loss, for their pain, and to show the increasingly profit focused healthcare industry that patients will not tolerate shoddy and negligent care.
How Does Malpractice Cause Wrongful Death?
Medical malpractice can occur in many different ways. If a physician, facility, or medical professional does not provide care according to appropriate standards, and their failure to provide appropriate care causes injury, exacerbation, or wrongful death, then medical malpractice has occurred.
Medical malpractice may be found where a medical professional prescribes or administers an improper medication or dosage, misdiagnoses or fails to diagnose a condition, negligently performs an operation or procedure, or in any other situation where a professional or facility does not provide treatment according to applicable standards.
Importantly, any of the broad classifications of medical or surgical malpractice can result in wrongful death. Wrongful death may occur because of immediate medical issues, such as bleeding, trauma, or infection. It may also result from longer term complications caused by medications or untreated illnesses. The unfortunate truth is that medical malpractice frequently results in the death of the patient.
How Can I Know if Malpractice Occurred?
Determining whether medical malpractice caused the death of your loved one is not easy. Barring an admission from a physician or hospital, it is unlikely that a layperson could make a determination on their own.
Therefore, if your loved one died and you suspect that a medical or prescribing error is to blame, Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA recommends that you contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your potential claims.
During your free evaluation, your attorney will discuss the summary details available and provide a high-level analysis of any potential malpractice issues. Your attorney will be able to collect medical records and consult with medical professionals to determine whether medical malpractice may have occurred.
Act Now to Preserve Your Claim
Ohio law imposes a statute of limitations on the filing of any tort (injury) claim. Medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within one year from when the claim accrues. Wrongful death actions, however, must be filed within two years from the accrual date.
Additional rules and exceptions may apply depending on the facts of your case. The important thing for victims and their families is to remember that time is of the essence.
Lowe Scott Fisher Co., LPA – Ohio Wrongful Death Lawyers
If your loved one died and you suspect medical or surgical malpractice is to blame, you have the right to seek justice for your family. Call now for a free consultation.