A Reputation Built By Success

What Ohio patients need to know about statutes of limitations

It is only natural for patients to trust a doctor who provides them with medical care. Unfortunately, not every patient receives the professional treatment that they require for optimal medical recovery. Sometimes, doctors are negligent. They failed to do things that are obviously necessary for patient safety, such as reviewing their medical history before administering the drug. They rush through the diagnostic process and may cause harm as a result.

Other times, a doctor might do something that is unsafe or make an egregious error while treating a patient. In those scenarios, the patient is at risk of a poor medical outcome. Their condition may worsen or the mistakes made by the doctor could potentially cause direct harm.

A medical malpractice lawsuit is an option when a doctor causes harm instead of helping a patient. Like other forms of injury-based litigation, medical malpractice lawsuits are subject to strict rules about how long the patient has to file. People need to know those rules to hold a health care provider accountable for handling their case in an unprofessional manner.

Most patients must file within a year of the incident

Typically, the countdown for the statute of limitations begins the day a doctor makes a mistake or directly harms a patient. The standard, basic statute of limitations for a medical malpractice lawsuit is one year.

When patients are aware of an incident while undergoing treatment or immediately after receiving medical care, they need to act quickly to seek justice when a doctor’s mistakes lead to poor outcomes. If they wait for more than a year, they may no longer be eligible for relief through the civil courts.

However, in some cases the statute of limitations is slightly longer. It can extend to up to four years in cases involving changing or developing symptoms. If a patient discovers medical malpractice before four years have passed, they may have a year from the date they uncover the malpractice to take actions.

Minors have until their 19th birthdays to take action, even if more than four years have passed. Those who have an unsound mind at the time of a medical error can take action once their mental capacity improves.

Understanding the basic rules that apply in cases where patients intend to pursue a medical malpractice lawsuit can help them avoid a scenario in which they lose their right to pursue justice. The law requires acting promptly when seeking financial relief for sub-standard medical care.

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