Columbus Legal Blog

Factors that place you at risk for injury during pregnancy

On behalf of Leeseberg & Valentine on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Having a baby in an Ohio hospital can be an exciting, joyful, yet stressful experience. Perhaps, you consider yourself a veteran at the process, after having navigated several other pregnancies and births. Then again, this might be your first go-around, in which case, you're likely asking a lot of questions and trying to learn as much as you can about what to expect. Some things go unsaid, such as the fact that your doctor or midwife have an obligation to provide care to keep you and your baby safe.

Maternal health has a close connection to a woman's ability to enjoy a safe, healthy pregnancy and birthing experience. You might have a pre-existing health condition or develop symptoms during pregnancy that automatically alert your obstetrician or midwife to potential danger. The average physician or midwife knows what to look for and also what to do if a problem arises.

You should receive safe and quality care in Ohio hospitals

On behalf of Leeseberg & Valentine on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

What is the difference between safety and quality regarding medical care in an Ohio hospital? When you enter a hospital for medical treatment, examination or surgery, you can reasonably expect to receive care in accordance with accepted safety standards and the highest level of quality protocol. The two terms are not exactly synonymous but are both of paramount importance.

When medical care providers keep you safe, they are making sure no harm comes to you, especially through human error or negligence. Quality care, on the other hand, has more to do with efficient, effective care that your doctors, nurses, practitioners and other medical workers provide for a specific purpose. If you witness a safety hazard or receive substandard care, there are numerous people you'll want to inform.

Not feeling so well after surgery at an Ohio hospital?

On behalf of Leeseberg & Valentine on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

No one wants to have surgery. Whether you elected to undergo a particular procedure, or a doctor highly recommended it to help improve (or save) your life, the idea of having surgery causes most people stress. It's so important that you trust your surgical team. As a patient in an Ohio hospital, you have the right to reasonably expect your surgeon, nurses, technicians and other staff members to adhere to protocol and provide care according to accepted safety standards.

Depending on the specific surgical procedure you have, as well as your health condition before the surgeon operates on you, you may have a swift and full recovery or one that takes a long time. Either way, there's a risk involved, and it's crucial to pay close attention to how you feel post-op. Medical negligence is problematic in this state and others. If you experience adverse symptoms and believe it's connected to your surgery, it's critical that you know where to seek support.

Hospital issues that can cause you big problems

On behalf of Leeseberg & Valentine on Thursday, September 19, 2019.

Doctors, nurses and other Ohio medical team members are not miracle workers. You understand that. However, they are legally bound to adhere to all health and safety regulations and accepted standards of procedure when providing care or treatment to you for any type of medical concern. In layman's terms, that means that, while doctors and medical workers aren't perfect, if they deviate from what they're supposed to do and you suffer injury or illness because of it, it might constitute medical malpractice.

Substandard care places lives at risk. If you, your spouse or your child need medical care, you can reasonably expect to receive the highest quality care available according to industry standards and state regulations. There's always a risk when you or anyone receives medical care, especially if you're having surgery, taking medication or undergoing an outpatient procedure. Medical negligence should never be the reason you fall ill or suffer injury.

Driver negligence plus collision may equal neck or spine injuries

On behalf of Leeseberg & Valentine on Friday, August 30, 2019.

While it wouldn't be technically correct to say other drivers are responsible for your safety when you travel Ohio roadways, it's a fact that every licensed driver is legally obligated to adhere to traffic laws and safety regulations. Therefore, if a nearby driver is negligent, it places you and all others in the vicinity at risk for serious injury.

Many Ohio motor vehicle accidents result in neck or spinal injuries. Traumatic cervical syndrome (TCS) is a neck injury-induced biological and neurological problem. It doesn't necessarily require severe neck trauma to occur, and also doesn't mean that the sudden impact of a particular collision had to cause a whipping motion of the neck. If you're involved in a collision, it's critical that you know where to seek support, especially if you're experiencing TCS symptoms.

Preparing for surgery in an Ohio hospital?

On behalf of Leeseberg & Valentine on Friday, August 16, 2019.

You only get one life and that's why staying as healthy as possible is so important. Most Ohio residents can relate to minor health problems from time to time. You might get a bad cold or even suffer from the flu or another illness or infection. Some situations may prompt a need for surgery. If you've never had surgery, it's understandable that you might feel worried and concerned about the surgeon and medical team to whom you will be entrusting your care.

In a perfect world, you'd schedule your surgery, have the procedure and enjoy a swift and full recovery. In reality, medical negligence is a serious problem in Ohio and most other states. If your surgeon or other care provider is negligent, you might suffer severe, even debilitating injuries. In worst cases, fatalities occur.

When should you consult an Ohio doctor for a second opinion?

On behalf of Leeseberg & Valentine on Friday, August 2, 2019.

Any number of issues may prompt you to seek medical examination at an Ohio doctor's office. Whether you're acting on your own behalf or as a parent of a minor child, you can expect that the doctor in question will make a correct diagnosis or will let you know if he or she is having trouble determining an underlying cause of your or your child's condition.

In certain circumstances, you may not feel comfortable with what a doctor has told you. Perhaps he or she has said there's nothing medically wrong with you, but you are convinced that there is because you're not feeling well. This would be one of many instances that warrant a second opinion. If the average doctor would likely be able to diagnosis a particular condition and your doctor fails in this duty, it may result in a medical negligence injury.

Your doctor should be looking out for your infant's safety

On behalf of Leeseberg & Valentine on Friday, July 19, 2019.

When you entrust your health to a licensed Ohio obstetrician, you can reasonably expect him or her to carefully monitor your pregnancy and to make educated decisions to help keep you and your baby as safe as possible all the way through labor and delivery, as well as post-natal care. You will likely encounter numerous challenges during pregnancy; however, many issues are quite common, such as nausea, weight gain, fatigue and emotional fragility.

Even if you think you're experiencing a common side effect of pregnancy, it's always best to share information with your OB so he or she can confirm that you and your baby are in good health. On the other hand, if you share a concern and your doctor thinks there might be a problem, he or she can determine a best course of action to rectify the situation. Sadly, not all doctors do their jobs well; serious birth injuries can occur because of medical negligence.

Ohio roadways can be dangerous: Beware of distracted drivers

On behalf of Leeseberg & Valentine on Friday, July 5, 2019.

You might be one of many people in Columbus or surrounding Ohio regions who drive a car to and from work each day. Even if that's not the case, if you're a licensed driver, you no doubt get behind the wheel at least several times per week. Long ago, many people enjoyed driving; in fact, it was common to take leisurely drives for no particular reason.

Nowadays, the risk for collision is so much higher that driving can make you feel like you're placing your life at stake, and in some situations, you might actually be. Do you know how to recognize signs of potential danger on the road, such as if a distracted driver is traveling near you? It's easy to become distracted while driving. If you know what to watch out for, you increase your chances of avoiding collision.

LV Attorneys and Clients Featured in Recent 10TV Piece

By Leeseberg & Valentine posted in Firm News on Friday, June 28, 2019.

Earlier this week, 10TV reporter Bennett Haeberle and the 10 Investigates Team published "Deadly Dosage: The Doctor Husel Chronicles," which provides a fantastic overview of what we know about the Mount Carmel cases thus far. The videos feature LV attorneys Gerry Leeseberg and Craig Tuttle, as well as several of our clients.