Cleveland Ohio Injury Blog

Considering a recent study on medical errors

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in medical malpractice on Thursday, June 13, 2019.

When we fall ill or suffer an injury, we are likely to seek out help and assistance from medical professionals. Whether it is something minor or a severe medical condition, patients trust doctors and nurses to diagnose their ailments, care for them and treat their conditions. While this is common for many patients, some unfortunately suffer harms because a medical professional failed to properly diagnose a patient or administer their medication.

Medical errors can have a significant impact on patient in Ohio and elsewhere. Take for example a recent study conducted in Massachusetts. Researchers found that roughly 62,000 medical errors occur every year. In other words, about 170 medical errors happen each day. Of these, almost a third of them cause serious harm to a patient, and an additional 12% of these cases involve death.

Nursing home abuse and filing a civil action

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in nursing home neglect and abuse on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Placing a loved one in a nursing home is not an easy task. While it is difficult to remove a loved one from their home, there is likely some relief knowing that this family member is cared for and watched after. Unfortunately, not all nursing homes meet the standards that they are required to and provide the care that is necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents. Nursing home abuse is a serious situation that causes harm to elderly residents, even taking the lives of some.

If abuse, neglect or exploitation is suspected, different types of proceedings could ensue. First, an investigation could take place, making a determination on these claims. Second, a civil action could result with the victim or their loved ones seeking damages for harms caused. Finally, a criminal proceeding could take place.

Helping you overcome the aftermath of a truck accident

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in truck accidents on Thursday, May 30, 2019.

Large trucks hold a valuable role in society. These vehicles are used to transport goods, shipments and items to and from destination near and far. Because of the ease of this form of transportation, any motorist in Ohio can attest that they frequently share the roads with these massive vehicles. Although this is commonplace, it can still be nerve-wrecking the travel near a semi-truck or tractor-trailer truck. These vehicles do not operate the same as a passenger vehicle; thus, when they need to stop abruptly or make a sudden turn, this could cause the truck to crash into the rear of a vehicle or flip over, resulting in a serious crash.

A truck accident can be a very shocking event. The mere size of a truck can cause severe damage, leaving a victim suffering physical harm and much property damage. It can be a very overwhelming experience, and the attorneys at Hoffman Legal Group, LLC, understand how to diligently navigate these matters. We are prepared to help individuals in the Beachwood area understand their rights following a truck accident.

Ohio hospital accused of wrongful death after suicide

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in wrongful death on Friday, May 24, 2019.

When we think about medical negligence and wrongful death, the first incident that often comes to mind is a single event, like a surgery. However, there are lots of ways to receive medical care and treatment, so really, a negligent act could happen anytime and at any point in a person's care from diagnosis to treatment. There are ways to be cared for physically and mentally/emotionally. One woman seeking care for mental health committed suicide and her family claims wrongful death against the hospital.

It's a tragic story that a young woman lost her life to suicide. What's compelling about her case is that she had previously admitted herself to an Ohio mental hospital a few days prior, due to suicidal thoughts. Her mother is alleging that her daughter received inadequate treatment that ultimately led to her death, due to the events the transpired while in a secured ward. According to reports, a terrifying night was had by the woman who was a patient at the facility at the time of the fire.

Could truck driver fatigue be the cause of truck accident injury?

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in truck accidents on Thursday, May 16, 2019.

Commuting to and from work or to different destinations on the weekends is a normal activity for those living in the Beachwood community and surrounding areas. While driving or being the passenger in a motor vehicle may seem entirely normal and uneventful, the truth is that catastrophic collisions can happen that cause serious injury to those involved. One potential way this can happen is by truck accident injury. Did you know that there are a multitude of potential causes behind truck accident injury?

This can be surprising for those who have never experienced the horrors of truck accident injury. However, for those who have been through it, you know that such an event can be life-altering. One minute, you're behind the wheel or a passenger in a vehicle, and the next your life is turned upside-down. Could the truck driver be to blame for the truck injuries you sustained?

Serious nursing home abuse often goes unreported

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.

Nursing home neglect and abuse are widespread problems. Sadly, serious instances of abuse often go unreported. In fact, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an alert saying that more than 25% of severe cases of abuse in nursing homes are not reported to law enforcement. Both federal and state laws require that serious instances of nursing home abuse must be turned over to police.

The cases outlined in this report are ones that require emergency room treatment. Here is a look at some examples of serious injuries of nursing home residents.

Loss of companionship can be compensable after certain injuries

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in catastrophic injuries on Thursday, May 9, 2019.

Getting the news that a loved one has suffered an accident in which they were seriously injured is many people's worst nightmare. Medical care is the best it's ever been, but there are no guarantees that someone who has suffered a catastrophic injury will ever fully recover. That's why it's good to think ahead and to discover whether a loved one's injury is due to another's negligence.

A catastrophic injury can manifest in many ways, but one of the most serious can be due to traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury can happen in a car accident, work accident or in error in a medical malpractice claim. Of course, there are other incidents that can result in traumatic brain injuries and there are other catastrophic injuries a person can sustain beyond damage to the brain and spinal cord.

Wrong site, procedure and patient surgery

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

Patients who underwent wrong-site surgery, an incorrect procedure or a procedure intended for another patient may face terrifying and catastrophic consequences. This medical malpractice is known as wrong-site, wrong procedure, wrong patient errors. These WSPEs are defined as never events that should never take place and reveal serious safety issues.

Operating on the wrong side is one type of wrong site surgery. For example, this occurred when a patient had the right side of her vulva removed even though the cancerous legion was on the left.

National Guard blamed for Humvee fatality

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in wrongful death on Friday, April 26, 2019.

Accidents caused by fatigued or drowsy driving are not limited to civilians. Two multi-million-dollar lawsuits for wrongful death were recently filed against the Ohio National Guard for the deaths of a 34-year-old man and his six-year old son after one of its Humvees crashed into his vehicle in Sept. 2016. The fatal accident was allegedly caused by a sleep-deprived and inexperienced National Guardsman.

According to the lawsuit, the Guardsman arrived at the Newton Falls Armory on Sept. 9 at 8:00 am. Lights out for the Guardsmen was scheduled for midnight. The Guardsman and other soldiers woke up at 3:00 a.m. on Sept. 10. They left Newton Falls in a four-vehicle convoy for Camp Perry near Port Clinton 1.5 hours later. The Guardsman drove one of the Humvees.

Nursing home suicides climb, according to report

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in nursing home neglect and abuse on Friday, April 19, 2019.

Suicide deaths among older adults, reflecting the national trend among all age groups, are climbing. Older Americans residing in nursing homes, assisted living centers and adult care homes are part of this troubling trend, according to a six-month investigation by Kaiser Health News and PBS NewsHour. This raises the issue of whether facilities are engaged in nursing home neglect and abuse by failing to recognize warning signs and preventing suicide.

Although poor documentation restricts exact calculations, hundreds of suicides by older adults was related to long-term care. At least one of these suicides occurred daily. Research also shows that a third of residents report that they have suicidal thoughts.