Mansfield Personal Injury Blog

Standard of care is a factor in some medical malpractice cases

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in medical malpractice on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Medical professionals should meet certain standards for the care they provide for patients, but these aren't always the exact same thing. Standards of care in medicine depend on several factors. It is imperative that patients who don't think they've received care that meets applicable standards find out if they have a medical malpractice claim based on that fact.

The National Guideline Clearinghouse gathers the current standards, so medical professionals can review them. But, this still isn't infallible since the standards change depending on factors like the doctor's training. Another issue is that some of these guidelines are formal, and others are merely suggestions about how to handle a situation.

Accident rates go up in winter

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, January 24, 2020.

Although children may love to wake up to fresh piles of fluffy snow, winter precipitation is at best an annoyance for their parents. That is because digging out of snow and driving on weather-affected roads can be stressful and dangerous. The Ohio State Government offers drivers many useful driving tips to keep them safe and to avoid accidents when they must travel on roads affected by snow, ice and other forms of winter precipitation.

Drivers are encouraged to maintain their vehicles to avoid breakdowns in already difficult conditions. Filling up windshield fluid, getting scheduled and necessary tune-ups and replacing slick tires can all help drivers stay safe when they must contend with winter weather in their cars.

How can surgical mistakes be prevented?

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in medical malpractice on Thursday, January 16, 2020.

Surgical procedures happen every day in hospitals and clinics throughout Ohio. For most individuals who undergo surgery, these procedures are routine and occur without complications. Others may suffer challenges during and after their operations, but, often, complications are part of the risk of undergoing operative treatments. For others, problems during surgery may occur when doctors and other medical professionals fail to undertake proper precautions to protect their patients from mistakes.

Surgical mistakes, including wrong-site, wrong patient, and wrong procedure surgeries, happen to too many patients each year. Mistakes occur when medical providers fail to take the time to ensure that each patient is connected to the right chart, medication, and care plan so that they receive the treatment they need.

Whiplash is a serious car accident injury

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

Car accidents are a problem on Ohio roads, just as they are on the streets and highways of every other state in the country. They are caused by negligence, inattentiveness and sometimes, the intentional or reckless conduct of drivers. Often car accidents cause delays, financial headaches and other problems for victims. In serious accidents, victims may also suffer physical pain, injury and significant loss.

Car accident injuries can range from minor to serious and can affect practically every part of the human body. One common form of car accident injury, however, is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when a person is in an accident and their head jerks forward and back, creating strain and stress in their neck.

How victims can get help with a product injury

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in products liability on Friday, December 27, 2019.

The potential for injuries and harm from a dangerous or defective product is a serious concern facing many consumers. The reality that consumers may be exposed to dangerous or defective products means that injured consumers and their family members should be familiar with the legal resources available to protect them.

Whenever a manufacturer has allowed a defective product to enter or remain in the marketplace where it can harm consumers, manufacturers and others may be liable to injured victims who are harmed by the defective or dangerous product. Products liability laws, and a personal injury claim for damages, can help victims recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages. The damages from a dangerous or defective product can be serious and long-lasting for victims struggling with their injuries and the harm they are facing.

Questions about products liability protections answered

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in products liability on Thursday, December 19, 2019.

Products liability law protects victims of dangerous or defective products. It is helpful for anyone injured by a dangerous or defective product to be understand what legal remedies are available and how they can help victims.

Products liability legal protections are based on several theories of liability. Which theory of liability is the best option depends on the unique situation and circumstances that the victim has suffered. Victims of a dangerous or defective product may seek damages from those liable for the harm they have suffered under a theory of strict product liability, negligence or breath of warranty.

Infections after a fractured bone can be devastating

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. on Wednesday, December 18, 2019.

Many injuries can occur during a car wreck. One such misfortune is a fracture, which seems like a relatively mild injury but can turn into a very serious one in some cases. Some people who have a broken bone might develop an infection in the area. Unfortunately, these infections can lead to life-threatening complications.

Anyone who has a fracture after a car wreck should pay close attention to how they are faring. This is especially true if you have any risk factors for an infection. These include things like having rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or an immune deficiency. Needing surgery to set the bone also increases the risk that you will suffer from an infection.

Relief for victims of drunk drivers

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in personal injury on Friday, December 13, 2019.

Victims of drunk driving accidents may be left picking up the pieces of another driver's carelessness and negligence. It is important for victims of drunk drivers and their families to be aware that drunk drivers may be liable for the harm they cause to unsuspecting victims in a drunk driving accident through a personal injury claim for damages.

Drunk drivers may have criminal and civil liability following a drunk driving accident. In fact, the criminal charges against the drunk driver may also be used as evidence of negligence if the victim of the drunk driver brings a personal injury claim against them. To establish negligence, the victim will need to demonstrate that the drunk driver's intoxication level was too high to safely operate the vehicle and that they were careless and recklessly disregarded the safety of the pubic. Police reports and other evidence can help the injured victim build their case against the drunk driver.

What to watch for from a brain injury

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, December 6, 2019.

Brain injuries are a serious type of injury that can be suffered in a variety of different ways, including in car accidents and other types of traumatic accidents. Like many other car accident injuries, they may not always be immediately obvious and may worsen over time so car accident victims should know what to watch for an what to do about it.

Brain injuries can be open or closed head injuries but closed head injuries may be more difficult to detect. Regardless of the type of brain injury, brain injuries such as a traumatic brain injury can have a dramatic and devastating impact on victims. Victims can suffer a range of serious symptoms associated with a brain injury which can make it challenging for them to complete daily tasks, hold a job or maintain relationships with friends and families.

Medical malpractice help for victims of a failure to diagnose

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in medical malpractice on Friday, November 29, 2019.

This blog recently discussed the serious nature of medication errors; failed diagnosis is another serious type of medical malpractice that can impact patients and their families. A failure to diagnose can lead to serious consequences for victims and can be fatal in some circumstances. Because of this, victims of a failure to diagnose are legally protected.

Medical malpractice protections can help victims of a failure to diagnose, and their families, recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages. A failure to diagnose can lead to the wrong treatment or no treatment at all. This can cause the victim's medical condition to worsen and may result in death. As a result, personal injury and wrongful death medical malpractice claims may be available to help victims and their families with the harm they have suffered.