Leeseberg Tuttle Columbus Ohio Medical Malpractice Attorneys | Leeseberg & Valentine 2026-07-28T05:36:42Z https://www.leeseberglaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1401036/2019/10/Favicon.png On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[Mammograms and new tech: The hidden risk of “silent” AI]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54251 2026-07-20T21:05:53Z 2026-07-20T21:02:08Z intelligence is now a routine companion in many breast imaging workflows. In mammography, AI tools can help by pointing physicians to areas that require additional review or points of concern. When used well, these systems can support consistency and efficiency. However, if physicians become too reliant on these tools they can serve as a crutch and keep increasing the risk that the physician will spot potential cancerous growths. A recent study highlights these concerns. Researchers found that radiologists can focus on spots flagged by AI and fail to review the entire image. This can translate to missing another area of the image that may have concerning results. The findings are less about whether AI is “good” or “bad” and more about how human perception and decision-making can change when physicians use AI.

Key takeaways from the study

The study points to three patterns that can inform training, quality assurance and day-to-day reading habits.
  1. Question “clean” reads. AI may claim an image is “clean” but this should not change the reviewing physician’s approach. The radiologist should still carefully review the image.
  2. False positives were often caught. Radiologists did increase scrutiny of images labeled with positive flags and were able to reduce the risk of false positives.
  3. Bias when using AI is a problem. The data shows that physicians are relying on AI in a way that could harm patients. 
The researchers warn physicians not to let AI override their search pattern. This is particularly concerning when AI notes a read as “clean” as it can lead to missed cancers. When AI does not flag anything, radiologists can unconsciously reduce visual search effort, treating the absence of a prompt as reassurance. 

AI an important tool but physician oversight remains the gold standard

The research discussed in this article reveals a critical insight: AI is most effective when it serves as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for thorough human review. Your radiologist should examine your entire mammogram carefully, regardless of whether AI flags specific areas or labels your scan as "clean." A comprehensive visual search pattern remains the gold standard to mitigate the risk of a missed cancer diagnosis.  ]]> On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[Did something go wrong with your anesthesia?]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54249 2026-07-20T11:38:17Z 2026-07-20T11:38:17Z Recovery should get better, not worse Most people follow a similar pattern after surgery. At first, you feel pretty rough. Then, day by day, you start to feel better. But sometimes anesthesia complications flip this pattern upside down. Instead of improving, your symptoms get worse. Your breathing becomes more difficult. The nausea will not stop, even with medication. You might notice new numbness or weakness that you did not have before surgery. When your symptoms worsen instead of improving, you need immediate attention and honest answers. You manage projects, lead teams or take care of your family—you know when a situation is getting worse, not better. Trust your gut. Even if recovery feels slow, it should move in the right direction.

Warning signs you should not ignore

Some problems after anesthesia point to possible negligence rather than normal complications. Watch out for these red flags:
  • Serious breathing problems that force doctors to admit you to the ICU or put you on a ventilator
  • Heart problems that start during or right after anesthesia
  • Nerve damage that causes numbness, tingling or muscle weakness that will not go away
  • Awareness during surgery—you remember things from your operation when you should have been completely unconscious
  • Mental changes that stop you from working, driving or doing everyday tasks
  • Delayed waking up that lasts much longer than it should
Also, pay attention if your doctors give you conflicting stories. When different providers tell you different things about what happened, medical records often show important gaps. These inconsistencies sometimes mean something went wrong during your anesthesia care.

What you need to prove

In Ohio, establishing a medical malpractice claim requires proving that your doctor failed to follow protocol and directly caused your injury. Procedurally, Ohio law also requires filing an Affidavit of Merit from a qualified medical expert alongside the lawsuit to verify the claim's validity. However, you should also note that Ohio imposes a strict one-year statute of limitations, which typically begins to run on the latest of three dates, when the:
  • Negligent act occurred
  • Injury was (or should have been discovered)
  • Physician-patient relationship for the condition ended.
This is one of the shortest periods for filing a malpractice claim in the nation. These rules apply to all types of anesthesia errors—wrong medication doses, problems managing your airway, or failure to monitor you properly. Usually, medical experts explain what your provider should have done and how they fell short.

Getting the help you need

Even experienced professionals find it hard to tell the difference between normal post-surgery discomfort and anesthesia negligence. When complications happen, what seems like routine surgery can change your family's entire future. The right legal help allows you to investigate what happened, gather the necessary medical records and fight for fair compensation. This support frees you to focus on getting better while experienced advocates handle the complicated legal work.]]> On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[Cervical cancer: What to do if you were misdiagnosed]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54180 2026-06-19T17:52:33Z 2026-06-19T17:48:28Z Medical errors: How to hold healthcare providers accountable Medical mistakes can occur for many reasons, but it is important to understand that patients have rights. Laboratories, doctors, ob-gyn and other healthcare providers can be held accountable when they fail to meet the accepted standard of care. This includes situations such as:
  • Misinterpreted pap smears: Lab workers misread the medical slides, missing abnormal cells or clear evidence of early cancer.
  • Inadequate sampling: The medical provider fails to collect an adequate specimen during the test, leading to inaccurate results.
  • Failure to follow up: Doctors do not provide the standard of care when they fail to notify patients of abnormal results or fail to order necessary follow-up exams, like a colposcopy or biopsy.
  • Ignoring Symptoms: Physicians fail to investigate clear warning signs such as pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding.
To recover damages for medical bills, future care, lost wages, and pain in Ohio, a patient and their family can take specific actions:
  • First, request a complete copy of all medical records and lab reports immediately.
  • Next, families should consult with an experienced medical malpractice lawyer who can investigate the timeline and file a legal claim.
  • Finally, seeking an immediate second opinion from a new medical team ensures you get the proper care you deserve while your legal rights are protected.
It is incredibly important to hold negligent parties accountable when their carelessness causes life-altering harm. When a lab or doctor avoids responsibility, it puts other women at risk and leaves families to face massive emotional and financial burdens alone. Holding them legally responsible is the only way to force medical systems to fix their safety protocols.]]> On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[Did your doctor send you home too early?]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54175 2026-06-18T15:24:03Z 2026-06-18T15:24:03Z Red flags ignored during the final check
While there are many risks of leaving the hospital too soon, sepsis is one of the most dangerous. Sepsis, which is the body’s life-threatening overreaction to infection, can take hold in hours. Doctors must look for specific clinical signs before deciding a patient is ready to go home. If a care provider ignores these red flags, the consequences can be devastating.
Some red flags that could suggest a patient is at risk include:
  • An elevated heart rate that does not return to a normal range
  • A sudden drop in blood pressure or a fluctuating temperature
  • New onset of confusion or a significant change in mental status
  • Decreased urine output or signs of kidney distress
These symptoms are often the body's first warning that a post-surgical infection is turning into sepsis.

Breaching the Ohio standard of care

Under Ohio law, a medical malpractice claim requires proving that a provider deviated from the accepted standard of care. Premature discharge could fall under this definition if a reasonably prudent doctor would have kept a patient for further observation based on symptoms like those mentioned above. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early recognition is the most critical factor in surviving sepsis. When a physician ignores the signs to clear a bed, they are failing their legal and professional obligations.

The missing window of opportunity

The first 24 to 48 hours after surgery are vital for monitoring potential complications. A premature discharge closes the window of opportunity for early intervention and life-saving treatment. If a patient is sent home too soon, they may not realize they are in danger until it is too late to prevent permanent organ damage. Families in Ohio have the right to hold facilities accountable when a rush for efficiency comes at a cost of patient safety.]]> On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[The long-term financial impact of medical malpractice on families]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54172 2026-06-15T14:54:13Z 2026-06-15T14:54:13Z The medical bills that do not stop after the error One of the hardest things you may face is receiving bills for the very care that caused the harm, alongside new bills for corrective treatment. Even with health insurance, out-of-pocket costs from additional surgeries, specialist visits, medications and rehabilitation can add up quickly. For serious or permanent injuries, those costs do not have an end date. Take a child with cerebral palsy resulting from negligence during birth, for instance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that lifetime care costs in cases like that can exceed $1 million.

The wages and career opportunities that disappear

Medical malpractice not only affects the person who was harmed. It can pull you or another family member away from work as well. You may need to reduce your hours, take unpaid leave or step away from your job entirely to provide care. However, lost wages are only part of the picture. The time you spend managing appointments, administering medications and providing daily assistance also comes at a cost. Missed promotions, reduced Social Security benefits, lost employer-sponsored health coverage and diminished retirement savings all compound over time, and the longer the situation continues, the harder those losses are to recover.

The long-term strain on savings and stability

Over time, the combination of mounting expenses and reduced income puts serious pressure on your financial foundation. The ripple effects can include:
  • Depleted savings accounts
  • Growing credit card balances
  • Difficult decisions about housing, childcare or education
  • Retirement plans that take years to rebuild
Research from the National Institutes of Health estimates the annual cost of medical errors to the U.S. healthcare system at anywhere between $20 billion and $45 billion, but the burden you absorb privately is rarely captured in that number.

What these losses could mean for your family's future

The financial consequences of medical malpractice have a way of building quietly until they become impossible to ignore. Ohio law provides a path to pursue compensation for what your family has lost and what lies ahead. You generally have one year from the date the error was discovered to file a claim. Given the complexity of these cases and how quickly deadlines can pass, getting legal guidance early is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family's financial future.  ]]> On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[Why it’s terrifying when a private equity bought your doctor’s office]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54168 2026-06-01T16:49:19Z 2026-06-01T16:49:19Z What Ohio law says about corporate takeovers Under Ohio law, private entities can own medical practices and employ physicians. They must not interfere with a doctor’s independent clinical judgment. However, management can impose rules that hurt the clinic:
  • Rushed appointment times: A company may cut the length of appointment times to accommodate more clients. As a result, your doctor rushes your visit, leaving little time to understand your symptoms or catch warning signs of a serious illness.
  • Pressure to make money: Corporate bosses pressure doctors to hit financial targets. This pushes them to recommend unnecessary tests or expensive procedures. Instead of getting the care you need, healthcare professionals see you as a customer.
  • Staffing realignments: The private equity firm can replace tenured nurses and medical assistants with lower-paid personnel. This can lead to communication mix-ups and worse service inside the office.
Even though a corporate takeover changes the business side of medicine, doctors still have to follow the same strict medical laws in Ohio. Every licensed healthcare professional owes a duty of care to their patients, no matter who owns the building or handles the bills.

Holding negligent parties accountable

A corporate takeover may be good for the finances, but it can also cause misdiagnoses, medication mistakes, and life-threatening errors. If you or a loved one suffered because a clinic prioritized profits over your health, understand that you have a path towards recovery. You may file a medical malpractice claim against the healthcare professional who made the mistake. Depending on the circumstances, the corporate entity owning the practice may also be liable. However, navigating this requires legal precision. Seeking legal counsel from an experienced attorney is wise.]]> On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[What happens when trucking companies ‘lose’ ELD data?]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54166 2026-05-20T19:34:07Z 2026-05-20T19:34:07Z The data that tells the real story ELD data can be immensely helpful if you are injured in an accident involving a trucker who may have been negligent. These devices record:
  • When the driver changes status (i.e. when they are driving, on duty, off duty or in sleeper berth)
  • Miles driven
  • Engine performance and diagnostic codes
  • GPS coordinates showing the truck's location
This information can prove whether a truck driver exceeded daily driving limits or violated other hours-of-service regulations.

How critical evidence goes missing

Trucking companies have a legal obligation to preserve evidence once they know about a potential claim. Despite this duty, data frequently disappears. Companies might claim the device malfunctioned or the data was automatically overwritten after the standard retention period. Sometimes they say the truck was sold or the records simply can't be located. Whether it's careless record-keeping or deliberate destruction, the legal term is spoliation of evidence. Ohio courts take spoliation seriously, but only if you can prove the evidence existed in the first place.

Why the clock is already ticking

Most ELD systems only retain data for six months unless someone takes action to preserve it. When trucking companies prematurely destroy or fail to preserve ELD data, Ohio courts can impose meaningful consequences. For instance, judges may tell juries to assume the missing evidence would have hurt the trucking company's case. Courts can also order the company to pay fines or other penalties. These remedies only help if you act quickly. The six-month retention window means waiting even a few weeks after a serious truck crash can result in permanent loss of critical evidence. An attorney can send a preservation letter demanding that the trucking company retain all electronic data, maintenance records and driver logs. Acting fast can maximize the data you have to build your case, should you pursue legal action and compensation.]]> On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[What is Ohio’s statute of limitations for medication errors?]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54160 2026-06-22T10:00:51Z 2026-05-19T12:02:09Z Medication errors can affect your health, finances and daily routine. In Ohio, the deadlines for filing a medical malpractice claim involving a medication mistake can shape your legal options, so it often helps to understand the general timeframes that may apply.

Tracking your primary one year deadline

Ohio law sets a general one year deadline for filing medical claims related to prescription or medication errors. Under the Ohio Revised Code, this one year period often begins on whichever date comes later. In many situations, that date may be:
  • The date you discover, or reasonably should discover, the injury tied to the medication
  • The date your treatment relationship with the healthcare provider ends for that specific condition
This structure helps account for situations where you may not immediately link symptoms to a medication issue. Because each situation differs, the starting point can depend on your individual facts and circumstances.

Observing the four year outer limit

In addition to the one year deadline, the state of Ohio also sets a longer time limit often referred to as a statute of repose. Under Ohio law, many claims may not move forward if more than four years pass from the date the medication error occurred. This outer limit can apply even when you do not discover the harm until later, which makes timing an important factor when reviewing potential claims.

Evaluating when your clock begins

The timing of your claim often depends on when you connect your symptoms to a medication issue. In some cases, that connection may happen quickly, such as a clear reaction to the wrong dosage. In other situations, the connection may take time as symptoms develop gradually or appear unrelated at first. Ohio law uses both the discovery rule and the end of the treatment relationship to help define when the one year period may start.

Extending your window by 180 days

Ohio law may allow a limited extension in certain situations. If you send written notice of a potential claim to the healthcare provider before the one year deadline expires, you may extend your filing window by up to 180 days. The Ohio Revised Code outlines this process, which can give you additional time to review records and assess your next steps.

Key takeaways on Ohio deadlines

Ohio law sets specific time limits for medication error claims, and those limits often depend on when the injury becomes known and when treatment ends. Understanding how these timeframes may apply to your medication error case can help you better evaluate your legal options and avoid missing important deadlines.]]> On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[AI “assistants” for doctors may increase malpractice risks]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54151 2026-05-04T17:34:45Z 2026-05-04T17:34:45Z The pros and cons of medical AI use Using AI for repetitive job functions can reduce the strain on health care professionals and the risk of burnout among physicians. Doctors often spend their days moving rapidly between patients and then may work overtime hours inputting details about each appointment into the practice’s charting system. Using AI to input a brief synopsis of the conversation can take pressure off physicians and allow them to see more patients. Additionally, the use of AI for in-depth diagnostic screening can be helpful. AI can supplement human efforts to review genetic testing or complex imaging results. Unfortunately, both of these uses come with a degree of risk. AI does not have the analytical capacity of a human, which means that the software could easily misinterpret conversations or overlook potentially problematic test results that do not align with the red flags in its programming. Additionally, AI is prone to so-called hallucinations. Generative AI programs may produce completely falsified information with no basis in reality and integrate that into reports or other writing produced by the software. Those issues make the careful review of any AI-assisted medical documentation critical for patient safety.

Who is liable for AI errors?

When AI software makes a mistake during the creation of appointment notes or when assisting with diagnostic work, the patients affected by that mistake likely have questions about their rights. Is the doctor responsible? Is their employer to blame for forcing them to adopt this technology? Is the company that designed the software ultimately liable? Under current medical liability rules, individual physicians and their employers are still primarily liable for any AI-related errors that affect patient care. It is the responsibility of the individual medical professional and the others who work at the hospital or medical practice to review any information provided by AI for accuracy. If they misuse AI and make diagnostic errors or mistakes when formulating a treatment plan that another physician could have avoided, then the situation could constitute medical malpractice. Those facing complicated medical malpractice claims related to the inappropriate use of AI likely need help analyzing the situation and gathering documentation. The support of an experienced lawyer is often critical for those seeking justice after experiencing medical malpractice.]]> On Behalf of Leeseberg Tuttle <![CDATA[Gestational diabetes: The hidden risks every expecting parent should know]]> https://www.leeseberglaw.com/?p=54149 2026-04-22T16:47:33Z 2026-04-22T16:47:33Z already comes with enough surprises — gestational diabetes should not be one of them. Often developing without obvious symptoms, this temporary form of high blood sugar can quietly affect both parent and baby, making it easy to overlook until routine screening catches it. The following will break down what gestational diabetes is, why it happens, and the real risks it can pose if it is not managed. The goal is to equip parents with clear, reliable information to help recognize the warning signs, understand screening results and make informed choices.

What gestational diabetes is

Hormone levels change during pregnancy and, for some, this can lead to a decrease in the ability to keep blood sugar at the right levels. This can result in gestational diabetes. Screening commonly occurs during the second trimester. Earlier screening may be appropriate for patients with higher baseline risk. If a patient has gestational diabetes the health care team will likely discuss monitoring, nutrition planning, activity guidance and potential medication.

Possible health impacts to mother and infant

Gestational diabetes can contribute to complications during pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum recovery. The following are commonly cited risks in clinical practice.
  • Maternal impacts: preeclampsia, operative delivery, birth trauma, postpartum hemorrhage and increased risk of later type 2 diabetes  
  • Infant impacts: larger baby which can result in complications like shoulder dystocia and other difficulties during delivery, neonatal hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, respiratory distress and stillbirth
These outcomes can create significant medical costs, long term care needs and potential claims when the medical team fails to identify the issue or to take preventative steps.

Legal remedies if something goes wrong

When harm results from a failure of the medical team to provide quality care, the legal analysis often focuses on standard of care, documentation quality, informed consent and causation. Review records for evidence of a failure that contributed to the injury. This oculd include a failure to properly screen, misreading test results or a failure to discuss the issue with the patient. 

Tips to navigate gestational diabetes for healthy outcomes

Healthy outcomes are possible for those who are managing gestational diabetes. The following tips can help:
  • Attend all prenatal visits, complete screening on schedule and request clarification of results in writing  
  • Track glucose as directed and bring logs to appointments
  • Follow an individualized meal plan, add pregnancy-appropriate activity and, if necessary, take prescribed medication  
  • Confirm a delivery plan, ask about fetal growth monitoring and discuss postpartum testing for diabetes
These measures reduce clinical risk and create a clear care timeline, a key protection when questions later arise about adequacy of monitoring and response. Gestational diabetes is common and manageable. Timely screening, prompt treatment and careful follow up protect mother and infant. They also reduce avoidable complications that can trigger disputes regarding preventability, compliance with standards and responsibility for injury.]]>