When you’re a medical patient, you need complete faith in your health care provider’s ability to do what’s best for you. While some procedures may involve risk, providers must follow the necessary steps to prevent harm. When a patient suffers damage because a health professional fails to follow these steps, they may be held liable for medical malpractice. If a medical professional’s negligence injures you, you can hire a lawyer to present your case. To shed more light on this aspect of the law, below are a few points to know about medical malpractice in Ohio.

What Is Considered Medical Malpractice?

Many different actions can be medical malpractice. Generally, the at-fault party must commit a negligent act that results in harm. For instance, they may prescribe the wrong medication, causing irreversible damage. Other common reasons include errors involving diagnostics, surgery, childbirth, and anesthetization.

When Must You File Medical Malpractice Charges?

Medical malpractice charges carry a one-year statute of limitations in Ohio. If you’re an injured party, you have one year to file charges from the date of the incident, the end of the patient-doctor relationship, or when you discover the damage.

If you send your provider a formal letter of intent to sue before this one-year mark, you can gain a 180-day extension to file the lawsuit. Under the statute of repose, you must submit all charges within four years, regardless of the start point.

What if a Patient Dies?

If a patient dies due to medical negligence, the surviving kin can seek damages for pain and suffering. In these cases, you must file a wrongful death charge within two years of the incident.

Is There a Limit to the Amount of Damages Awarded?

Ohio law limits the amount of money a plaintiff can receive, depending on the circumstances of the case.

Non-economic damages cannot exceed $250,000, or three times the economic costs—up to $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 for multiple plaintiffs. Catastrophic damages—such as permanent medical harm—carry a cap of $500,000 per plaintiff and $1,000,000 for numerous plaintiffs.

Due to the complexities of medical malpractice law, preserving your rights as an injured patient can be overwhelming. That’s why the lawyers at Riley, Resar & Associates, P.L.L., provide comprehensive support for plaintiffs in Lorain, OH. Well-versed in personal injury and medical malpractice laws, these professionals will review your case and help you receive appropriate compensation. Visit this law firm online to learn about their practice areas. Call (440) 244-5214 to schedule a consultation with a caring lawyer.