Failure to Treat Attorneys in Columbus, Ohio

Failure to treat is a form of medical malpractice that can have severe consequences for patients. It occurs when a healthcare professional fails to provide the necessary treatment for a condition or illness, leading to worsening of the patient's health or other harm. 

If you or a loved one has suffered because of a failure to treat, it’s important to understand your legal options and the steps you can take to seek justice. Our firm at Wolfe & Mote Law Group, LLC is here to help you if you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice in Columbus, Ohio.

What Is Failure to Treat?

Failure to treat happens when a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider does not take appropriate action to diagnose, treat, or manage a patient's medical condition. This could include not administering the correct medications, failing to recommend necessary tests, or not offering timely treatments that could prevent harm.

In many cases, this failure can worsen the patient's condition, delay recovery, or even lead to life-threatening complications. In some situations, the failure to treat can result in death. Medical malpractice cases related to failure to treat are serious, and victims have the right to seek compensation for their suffering.

Common Causes of Failure to Treat

Several factors contribute to the failure to treat a patient properly. Some of the most common causes include:

• Misdiagnosis: When a healthcare provider incorrectly diagnoses a condition or misses the correct diagnosis entirely, the patient may not receive the appropriate treatment.

• Delayed diagnosis: Even when a diagnosis is correct, delays in providing treatment can be just as harmful as failing to treat altogether.

• Failure to Order Tests: In some cases, doctors may not order necessary diagnostic tests, such as lab work or imaging scans, to determine the cause of a patient's symptoms.

• Inadequate monitoring: A lack of proper monitoring of a patient's condition may lead to undetected changes in their health that require immediate attention.

• Negligence: A healthcare provider may simply neglect their duties, whether due to overcrowded schedules, lack of training, or failure to follow established medical protocols.

Signs You’ve Experienced Failure to Treat

Patients who believe they have been victims of failure to treat should look for several key signs. These may include:

• A worsening of symptoms despite seeking medical attention.

• Development of additional health complications that could have been avoided with prompt treatment.

• A delay in receiving treatment that leads to permanent damage.

• Failure to follow up on previous diagnoses or treatments, resulting in ongoing health issues.

If you notice these or similar signs, it’s important to seek a second opinion or consult with a legal professional who handles medical malpractice cases.

Legal Elements of Failure to Treat Cases

In medical malpractice law, patients must prove several elements to show that a failure to treat occurred and resulted in harm. These elements include:

• Duty of care: The healthcare provider must have owed a duty to treat the patient. This usually involves a doctor-patient relationship.

• Breach of duty: The provider must have failed to treat the patient according to accepted medical standards.

• Causation: The failure to treat must have directly caused harm to the patient.

• Damages: The patient must have suffered damages as a result of the failure to treat, such as physical injury, emotional distress, or financial losses.

Proving these elements can be challenging, which is why patients in Columbus, Ohio, often seek help from attorneys who focus on medical malpractice.

How a Medical Malpractice Lawyer Can Help

In cases of failure to treat, a medical malpractice lawyer can play an essential role in protecting the patient’s rights. Legal professionals familiar with medical malpractice law in Ohio can help clients in the following ways:

• Case evaluation: Lawyers will review the medical records, speak with medical professionals, and assess whether the healthcare provider met the appropriate standard of care.

• Gathering evidence: Medical malpractice cases require substantial evidence, such as medical records, expert opinions, and witness testimony.

• Negotiating settlements: Many medical malpractice cases settle before going to trial. Lawyers can negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair compensation for their clients.

• Representing clients in court: If a case goes to trial, a medical malpractice lawyer will represent the client in court, presenting the evidence and making arguments to support the claim.

Patients who have been harmed by a failure to treat need an attorney who understands medical malpractice law and who will work diligently to secure justice.

Potential Compensation for Failure to Treat

Patients who have been victims of failure to treat may be entitled to compensation for the harm they suffered. Common types of compensation in medical malpractice cases include:

• Medical expenses: Coverage for past and future medical bills, including surgeries, treatments, and ongoing care.

• Lost wages: Compensation for time missed from work due to the failure to treat.

• Pain and suffering: Damages for physical and emotional distress caused by the provider’s negligence.

• Permanent disability: If the failure to treat results in lasting physical or mental disabilities, compensation can cover the costs of long-term care.

• Wrongful death: In cases where failure to treat leads to a patient’s death, surviving family members may seek compensation for their loss, funeral expenses, and loss of financial support.

The amount of compensation varies depending on the specifics of the case, but it’s important to consult with a legal professional who can help estimate potential damages.

Steps to Take If You’ve Suffered from Failure to Treat

If you suspect that a healthcare provider’s failure to treat has caused you harm, consider these steps:

• Seek a second opinion: If you feel that your condition isn’t improving or your doctor isn’t addressing your concerns, seek a second opinion from another healthcare professional.

• Request your medical records: Obtain a copy of your medical records to review your diagnosis and treatment history. This can help identify whether your care provider failed to act in a timely manner.

• Contact a medical malpractice lawyer: A lawyer can review your case and help determine if you have grounds for a lawsuit. They will guide you through the legal process and advocate for your rights.

• Act quickly: Ohio law has a statute of limitations that sets a time limit on when you can file a medical malpractice lawsuit. It’s crucial to take legal action before this time expires.

If you’ve been harmed by a failure to treat, seeking legal counsel sooner rather than later will give you the best chance at securing compensation.

Failure to treat is a serious issue that can cause significant harm to patients. When healthcare providers neglect to provide the necessary care, the consequences can be severe, leading to worsened conditions or even death. Medical malpractice law offers a way for victims to seek justice, but proving a case of failure to treat requires legal knowledge and experience.