When a person is injured by a physician, they may be eligible for compensation via a medical malpractice claim. Thousands of these claims are filed every year, and payouts are in the millions. If someone has been injured and is considering filing a claim, this guide will tell them what they need to know about working with medical malpractice law attorneys in Centerville, OH.
Medical Malpractice: What Is It?
Medical malpractice is a mistake made by a doctor or other provider. Sometimes it’s obvious: people have had the wrong limbs amputated, or had surgical implements left inside them. In other instances, malpractice is hard to detect, such as when a patient has been prescribed the wrong medicine. Medical malpractice can be accidental or intentional, but either way, the results can be devastating.
The Claims Process
If a victim is injured by a doctor’s omission or mistake, they may be able to get compensation for their pain, suffering, lost wages, medical bills, and diminished quality of life. To claim the compensation, clients and medical malpractice law attorneys in Centerville, OH must file lawsuits. To win, the victim must show that the physician or hospital has committed malpractice. Not all errors qualify; they must deviate from the reasonable standard of medical care. Finally, the victim must show that the doctor’s mistake caused their injury.
The Statute of Limitations
Along with the requirements mentioned above, Ohio limits the length of time a victim has to file a medical malpractice claim. Known as the statute of limitations, the law requires a person to file within one year of the event that led to the claim, or one year from the date of the injury’s discovery. Within the one-year period, a victim can elect to notify the doctor of their intent to file a claim; this gives them an extra 180 days from the date of receipt to file.
When an injury occurs after a medical procedure, the victim may receive compensation. Medical malpractice suits are complex and time-consuming. The sooner the suit is filed, the more time a lawyer has to build a strong case. Find more information online or call today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.