Cleveland Ohio Injury Blog

Misdiagnosis is a common form of medical malpractice

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in medical malpractice on Thursday, August 22, 2019.

We often hear about medical negligence claims stemming from mistakes made during surgery or throughout the course of treatment of a patient. However, many medical malpractice claims stem from the diagnosis of the patient's condition. Misdiagnosis of a patient's condition, or failure to diagnose a patient, can lead to improper care and eventually result in medical complications or death. In many cases involving misdiagnosis, a physician may ignore the severity of a patient's symptoms and send them home without treatment. This delay in treatment may cause the patient additional harm.

Misdiagnosis of a patient is more common than we like to think, with studies showing that 10 to 30 percent of medical cases involve some form of diagnostic error. However, misdiagnosis does not always mean that your physician is liable for malpractice.

Role of a life care planner after serious injuries

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC on Monday, August 19, 2019.

The aftermath of a catastrophic accident can be quite challenging, both physically and financially. However, certain individuals and actions can help to smoothly move things forward.

For example, having the right life care planner assistance during your claim process can be key. There are a few important facts to know about this role.

Brain injuries may require long-term rehabilitation

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in catastrophic injuries on Friday, August 16, 2019.

Just about any kind of accident, from car accidents to slip-and-falls at the grocery store, can result in severe injuries. Many accident victims in Beachwood suffer catastrophic injuries, including injuries to the brain. A traumatic brain injury may require months to years of rehabilitation, and some injuries may be permanent in nature.

Head injuries are generally open or closed in nature. An open injury typically occurs when someone hits their head on a hard surface and fractures their skull. A closed head injury on the other hand may not involve any sort of direct hit but may involve swelling within the brain or blood clotting in the skull. Both types of injuries can be very serious, resulting in permanent brain damage, paralysis or death. Bruising or tearing of the brain is also common and can cause nerve damage resulting in impairment to various bodily functions.

Neil Armstrong's family receives $6M from Ohio Hospital

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in wrongful death on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

When a life is lost due to the negligence of another, family members can recover damages on behalf of their loved ones. These damages can cover the medical expenses and funeral costs of the deceased, as well as the loss of household services once provided by them. The family of astronaut Neil Armstrong recently received $6 million in a wrongful death settlement from a Cincinnati hospital.

It has been reported that the 82-year-old Armstrong died in August 2012 at the hospital after undergoing bypass surgery. While the procedure went well, complications arose after the wires of his temporary pacemaker were removed. Armstrong allegedly began to bleed internally, and doctors took him to the catheterization lab for an echocardiogram and to have blood drained from his heart. He then spent weeks in an operating room before passing away.

Establishing fault in medical malpractice claims

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in medical malpractice on Friday, August 2, 2019.

We trust doctors and nurses to adhere to applicable standards of care when treating us and our loved ones. Unfortunately, some medical professionals are negligent when treating patients, and that negligence results in catastrophic injury or death. Patients can hold doctors and nurses responsible for their negligence by filing a medical malpractice claim against them.

If a patient is filing a medical malpractice claim, they will most likely have to establish that negligence occurred. In other words, the patient will first have to show that the medical professional owed a duty to the patient and that the duty was breached. Generally, a medical expert in the same field of medicine will take the stand on the patient's behalf and testify as to what the standard of care should have been in the patient's case and whether the doctor who treated the patient failed to meet this standard.

Ohio woman recovers $3M in slip-and-fall lawsuit

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in catastrophic injuries on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

Property and business owners generally have a legal obligation to take reasonable actions to ensure that invitees are not hurt while on their property. This may include conducting reasonable inspections of the property, posting warning signs to warn of a hazardous condition on the property, and fixing hazardous conditions.

An Ohio woman recently won $3 million in a lawsuit after her slip-and-fall accident at a local casino in 2016. Customers at the casino had apparently knocked over a wet floor sign, and, while it lay flat on the floor, the woman tripped over it. An employee of the casino apparently had walked by the sign just moments before the woman walked toward it but failed to pick it up.

Ohio family files suit following woman's death

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in wrongful death on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

The loss of a loved one is always difficult, but it can be even more difficult if the death occurred because of someone else's negligence.

An Ohio family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a hospital, following the death of a 75-year-old woman earlier this year.

Potential hidden injuries after a car accident

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of pain and suffering for Americans each year. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, approximately 2.35 million Americans suffer from injuries or disabilities as a result of traffic collisions each year.

For many people, their injuries will be readily apparent. For others, it could take days or even weeks for symptoms to manifest. It is for this reason that anyone involved in a car crash should seek medical attention right away. A doctor will be able to locate injuries you cannot see or feel yet, so you can begin treatment sooner.

What constitutes nursing home neglect?

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in nursing home neglect and abuse on Thursday, July 11, 2019.

Ohio residents who fear that their loved ones may be suffering from nursing home neglect should seek legal assistance. Attorneys who work in this field can advise their clients on how to deal with this serious and unfortunately common issue.

Nursing home neglect can look very different in different cases. For some, neglect may arise from inadequate staffing in a facility. When there are too few workers to serve the needs of residents, individuals may not receive baths when they need them, medical services when they are required, or attention when emergencies arise.

Post-concussion syndrome and TBI

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in catastrophic injuries on Friday, July 5, 2019.

Decades ago, young Ohio residents who chose to play contact sports may not have been given as stringent of protective gear as children are provided with now when they sign up for football, baseball, and even soccer. That is because medical research has shined a terrifying light on the devastation that concussions and other traumatic brain injuries can impose on those who suffer them. Brain injuries have been linked to progressive diseases like chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a disorder that has claimed the lives of many professional football players.

Traumatic brain injuries can be classified as mild to severe. Concussions are considered mild traumatic brain injuries, but even concussions can leave victims with serious and long-term health problems. Some individuals who suffer concussions can develop post-concussion syndrome, a disorder that affects their memory and other cognitive functions.