Cleveland, Ohio Medical Malpractice Lawyers
Gain Peace of Mind, Get the Guardians on Your Side
We know what it’s like to feel helpless. We take medical malpractice personally.
Advocating for You Like Our Own Family.
In this powerful video, Allen Tittle shares a deeply personal experience of facing a medical emergency with his own child. He highlights the unique and complex nature of medical malpractice cases, emphasizing the importance of hiring an Ohio medical malpractice lawyer with specific expertise in this area. Tittle’s firm, Tittle & Perlmuter, promises to go the extra mile to uncover the truth and provide families with the answers they seek in the wake of medical malpractice.
Medical negligence can result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, prompting rightful lawsuits by the victims. According to the Journal of Patient Safety, between 210,000 and 440,000 patients die as a result of medical negligence or malpractice each year. In other words, medical errors are the third-leading cause of death in America. They fall behind heart disease and cancer, respectively. A medical malpractice lawyer is ready to help the victims of these errors.
After an injury caused by a doctor or other healthcare provider, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your losses. A dedicated personal injury attorney has handled numerous cases throughout the area. This is because our team is committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Medical malpractice can have devastating, lifelong effects. You will need to cover medical bills and other losses associated with injuries as a result of being a victim of medical negligence. Let us help.
Cleveland Medical Malpractice Case Results
Real Results from Real Medical Malpractice Victims.
$8.3 MILLION SETTLEMENT | Medical Malpractice Case
The head of a surgical bed malfunctioned during our client’s brain surgery and went unnoticed by staff, resulting in massive, catastrophic brain damage leaving our client in a permanent vegetative state.
$6.19 MILLION VERDICT | Medical Malpractice Case
While hospitalized for atrial fibrillation, our client was prescribed several new medications creating a risk of falling, including one that was administered 7 hours before it was due. He fell and struck his head, resulting in permanent brain damage.
CONFIDENTIAL 7-FIGURE SETTLEMENT | Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Case
Failure to Diagnose an Aortic Dissection. This was a wrongful death case where the decedent reported to the hospital with severe chest pain. Despite the chest pain, the physicians at the hospital failed to rule out an aortic dissection and discharged the patient home without making a definitive diagnosis relating to the chest pain. The next day, the decedent died of a ruptured aortic dissection.
CONFIDENTIAL 7-FIGURE SETTLEMENT | Medical Malpractice Case
Our client sustained massive blood loss and kidney damage from an undiagnosed post-partum hemorrhage.
CONFIDENTIAL 7-FIGURE SETTLEMENT | Medical Malpractice Case
Our client sustained a spinal cord injury, rendering her paraplegic for spinal hematoma, suffered after a lumbar fusion surgery.
CONFIDENTIAL 7-FIGURE SETTLEMENT | Medical Malpractice Case
Despite placement on testosterone replacement therapy, our client had no PSA tests or digital exams conducted and was ultimately diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer.
7-FIGURE SETTLEMENT | Medical Malpractice Case
A patient was prescribed testosterone replacement therapy by his doctor following complaints of chronic fatigue. Unfortunately, the hormone that is required to be measured prior to this type of treatment to ensure the patient does not have prostate cancer (PSA) was never carried out.
CONFIDENTIAL 6-FIGURE SETTLEMENT | Medical Malpractice Case
Our client sustained a perforated bowel that went undiagnosed during her C-section, resulting in septic shock necessitating a prolonged ICU stay and mechanical ventilation, as well as permanent scarring and severe physical and emotional debility.
CONFIDENTIAL 6-FIGURE SETTLEMENT | Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Case
Our client presented to an emergency room department with signs and symptoms of a heart attack and because it took them so long to triage her, she sustained a heart attack in the waiting area and died.
MID-6 FIGURE SETTLEMENT | Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Case
This case involved a transected vena cava which lead to death.
Medical Malpractice Matters We Can Help You With:
Explore How We've Handled Other Cases Like Yours.
What is Medical Malpractice?
Determine if You Have a Claim.
Medical malpractice is defined as an error on the part of healthcare providers that results in an injury to a patient. Doctors, nurses, or another hospital employee can cause the injury. Medical negligence is another term for malpractice. To prove negligence, you must show the medical provider violated the accepted standard of care.
You must also prove that this specific violation resulted in serious harm to the patient. In other words, malpractice occurs when a medical care provider fails to provide care within the requisite standard of care, which leads to injury or death.
It is important to note, however, that a poor outcome or surgical complication does not necessarily mean that the medical care provider was negligent. Our medical malpractice attorneys can help you determine if your healthcare provider did not provide acceptable care or if medical mistakes occurred.
When an unexpected death, brain injury, paralysis, loss of limb, or some other type of catastrophic injury occurs under medical care, a thorough investigation should take place. Of course, someone with healthcare professional negligence case experience should handle the investigation.
Tittle & Perlmuter has that experience. If you have been hurt or lost a loved one as a result of doctor error, call Tittle & Perlmuter. Our experienced Ohio medical malpractice lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for their clients and will pursue every dollar of compensation you deserve for your medical negligence case.
What Medical Malpractice Cases Do We Handle?
Advocating for Victims of Catastrophic Malpractice.
Medical malpractice can come in a variety of forms, the effects of which can vary significantly. Typically it depends on the patient’s situation. The following are common causes of patient injury or death. Related injuries should be investigated to determine if a medical provider was negligent.
- Birth Injuries, including Brachial plexus injury (Erb’s palsy, Klumpke’s palsy, and other nerve damage), cerebral palsy and other brain damage
- Surgical Errors
- Medication Errors
- Diagnostic Errors
- Anesthesia Errors
- Emergency Room Errors
- Radiology Errors
- Failure to diagnose cancer
- Misdiagnosis of a heart attack or stroke
- Nursing Home Abuse, including bed sores (pressure ulcers), injuries from falls, and malnutrition and dehydration
- Hospital Malpractice
- Failure to provide a necessary test
- Misdiagnoses
- Delay in diagnosis
- Leaving surgical instruments in the body
- Nursing negligence
- Inadequate staffing, training, or supervision of staff
These claims can be made against any type of medical care provider including doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, chiropractors, hospitals, clinics, and other medical providers.
However, be aware that there are strict time limits you must meet to file a lawsuit. The courts strictly enforce these complex time limits. Generally, in Ohio, there is only one year to bring a medical negligence claim, unless an exception applies. It is in your best interest to speak to a lawyer who is familiar with physician malpractice as soon as possible.
When to File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit
Understand the Timeline You Have to File a Claim.
Cleveland Medical Malpractice Testimonials
The Tittle & Perlmuter Difference.
Ashley
Former Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Client
I had lost my father, whom I was extremely close with, when I was 18 the fall after I graduated. I failed my first semester in college despite years of amazing grades. I dropped out and simply gave up. I dug myself a very deep hole and if it weren’t for Katie Harris and her team I would still be searching for the ladder. They took a horrible injustice accident and gave me the opportunity to start over and rewarded me the real chance I deserved to create the amazing life he had always illustrated for me. My future life is forever credited to them, I wouldn’t have had the time of day to imagine a better future for myself without them. Even when I had nothing left to fight for, they saw my pain and turned it into peace. Very informative during the entire process and very charismatic.
P. M.
Former Medical Malpractice Client
Scott Perlmuter took the time to listen to me. Scott and his team gave me wise counsel. Scott took the time to listen, provided wise and realistic guidance, and most importantly, expertly negotiated a fair settlement for a medical injury. When I called the big firms, I was dismissed within minute or belittled for suggesting a claim – even though I was suffering from a retained medical device. Other firms offer flashy phrases and inflated possibilities, Scott offers the wisdom and respect you need when in crisis.
Melissa
Former Medical Malpractice Client
Allen handled my husband’s medical injury lawsuit.
Allen and Scott and their wonderful team went to trial against Firelands Hospital for my husband, Mike who in 2018 suffered a traumatic brain injury and brain bleed due to a fall in the hospital.
Allen and Scott did such a phenomenal job and won the case due to prevention policies not being followed at the hospital.
I am forever grateful that Allen & Scott were able to give me the answers to what happened to my husband. I would not want what happened to Mike, to ever happen to anyone and I am very pleased that Firelands Hospital will be held accountable.
A David and Goliath testimony, for sure!
Melissa
Royal
Former Medical Malpractice Client
Caring, helpful attorneys. They are knowledgeable and fun to work with, I could always call when I needed an answer about my case. As soon as I needed someone to fight for me for my case Allen took it one and was prepared for a long hard battle. I would never be at peace without Allen, Thank you to the whole team for being so helpful, I definitely recommend them you will not regret it.
Jey
Former Medical Malpractice Client
Allen was referred to me by a friend and I am so blessed for this. Allen gave us Justice and he did it effortlessly. He made the process easy for me and my husband also. Every step of the way Allen explained the process to us and what to do next in simple layman’s terms. We always knew what the next step was and he always let us know what the game plan was. We could trust him fully in every step of the process. He is an incredibly intelligent and kind man. I will be forever grateful to him. He exceeded our expectations for our case. Allen Tittle and his team were professional, compassionate and respectful. We could reach him at anytime and he has been a godsend in every way.
I give Allen Tittle my highest possible recommendation. I have recommended him to family for their medical malpractice lawsuits. And I will continue to only recommend Allen to family and friends in the future. My husband and I love Allen and his team.
William
Former Medical Malpractice Client
Allen Tittle and his firm recently settled a medical malpractice case for me. Several other firms had refused to take my case, and Allen took it on even though it would be a challenge. He and his staff were always professional and timely with their communications. Even during the pandemic, they kept the case going when all else was shutting down. Should I ever have the need for legal services again, I will certainly retain Allen and his firm. I will be referring all friends and family, as they are the best in the business.
Hubert
Former Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Client
The Attorneys at Tittle and Perlmuter cared about how we were feeling due to the loss of our father who could still be with us today if it weren’t for the negligence that occured by the hospital. Allen is a very beautiful human being and he fought for us. Thank you from the bottom of our Hearts. May God Bless your company. Love Hubert and Family.
Paula
Former Medical Malpractice Client
Allen and Scott from our first meeting were very compassionate with our situation and really took the time to listen. They worked diligently to make sure our loved one would be taken care of after a mishap during surgery. Thanks to Tittle and Perlmuter our loved one will have what they need for care.
Steven
Former Medical Malpractice Client
This is in my opinion the best law firm in Ohio when dealing with medical malpractice and personal injury.
Don
Former Medical Malpractice Client
I highly recommend this law firm for their medical malpractice services.
David
Former Medical Malpractice Client
My case was handled by Allen Tittle. His representation in my case was outstanding. Anyone that needs a lawyer in medical malpractice, would greatly benefit from his skills and experience.
Mike
Community Relationship
Allen is extremely knowledgeable in his field. If you need someone that will fight for what you deserve as a result of an accident or medical issue Allen is the right attorney for the job! Highly recommend!
Jerod
Community Relationship
Top Notch Attorneys. If you have suffered a loss of a loved one due to medical malpractice, call Tittle Law!
Bobbie
Former Medical Malpractice Client
I recommend Tittle & Perlmuter to all that are going through a Malpractice case. As of right now they have been so nice, so sweet and caring. Don’t let me forget understanding. Thank you all so much for all that you have done for me so far.
Allison
Former Medical Malpractice Client
First-rate medical malpractice attorneys that strive to put their clients first!
Medical Malpractice Frequently Asked Questions
The Answers You Need to Guide You Through Your Medical Malpractice Claim.
Anesthesia malpractice occurs when an anesthesiologist fails to follow specific guidelines necessary to ensure a patient’s safety during surgery.
Key aspects include reviewing the patient’s medical history to check for allergies to anesthesia and continuously monitoring the patient’s vitals while they are under anesthesia.
Failure to do so can result in severe consequences, such as a lack of oxygen to the brain, potentially leading to brain injury. If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of anesthesia malpractice, it is advised to seek legal assistance.
Nursing malpractice occurs when a nurse’s actions, whether due to negligence or understaffing, result in harm to a patient. This type of malpractice can involve several common mistakes, including but not limited to:
- Failure to reposition or turn patients, which can lead to pressure sores.
- Administering the wrong medication.
- Failing to monitor critical patient metrics such as blood oxygen levels (pulse oximetry) or blood pressure.
- Not adequately supervising patients, leading to falls. This could happen when a patient tries to get up on their own due to inadequate monitoring or when fewer staff are available to assist with patient transfers, resulting in injuries like hip fractures.
- Improperly delegating medical tasks to someone who is not qualified to perform the task.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing malpractice, it is important to contact a medical malpractice lawyer for assistance.
Physician negligence or malpractice occurs when a doctor fails to provide the appropriate standard of care, leading to harm for the patient.
This can happen if the doctor does not stay updated with the latest medical techniques or fails to take the necessary time to provide adequate care. Examples include improper treatment of sepsis, which is a severe blood infection, or delayed diagnosis of life-threatening conditions like cancer.
If you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of physician malpractice, contact Tittle & Perlmuter for assistance.
The destruction of eggs and embryos at University Hospitals’ fertility clinic was likely caused by human error, including an individual turning off the alarm system that monitors freezer temperatures and issues with the liquid nitrogen that keeps the freezers cool.
At Tittle & Perlmuter, we are deeply sympathetic to those affected and are actively investigating the incident to uncover all facts. We have chosen not to pursue class action lawsuits, believing that each case should be handled individually due to the unique damages each client has suffered.
For those impacted, we encourage you to contact us for personalized legal assistance.
In a medical context, a misdiagnosis occurs when a doctor fails to correctly identify or treat a condition that is either life-threatening or significantly life-altering.
Doctors are required to prioritize and address the most serious conditions first. When they fail to do so, the consequences can be severe, such as death, paralysis, or limb loss.
Common examples of misdiagnosis include:
- Delayed cancer diagnosis
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Spine infections
- Other injuries/conditions where the failure to timely treat leads to catastrophic or fatal outcomes.
If you suspect that you or a loved one has been a victim of misdiagnosis, we recommend to seek legal advice from a medical malpractice lawyer.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that essentially involves blood poisoning, where an infection enters the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body.
There are two primary types of medical malpractice cases related to sepsis:
- Failure to diagnose or delay in diagnosing the condition
- Complete mismanagement of the condition
Proper and timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial since mismanagement can lead to severe consequences, such as limb amputations or even death. Blood pressure drops caused by sepsis can restrict blood flow to extremities, requiring the use of pressers, which may further cut off circulation to limbs and result in amputations.
If you or a loved one has experienced catastrophic injuries due to mismanaged sepsis, consider contacting a medical malpractice lawyer promptly. Time is of the essence in these cases.
Common types of medication and prescription errors include:
- Wrong Drug Quantity: Incorrect dosage amounts prescribed.
- Drug Interactions: Prescribing medications that negatively interact with each other.
- Allergic Reactions: Prescribing drugs despite knowing the patient’s allergies.
Surgical errors are mistakes made during surgery that can lead to significant harm to the patient.
Common types of surgical errors include cutting the wrong anatomical structures, such as an unintended duct during gallbladder surgery, which can cause permanent injury if not discovered promptly. Another type is operating on the wrong body part, for instance, amputating the right knee instead of the left. Additionally, leaving surgical instruments or sponges inside the patient’s body after the procedure is a common surgical error.
If you or a loved one has experienced surgical errors resulting in medical malpractice, it is important to reach out to an experienced medical malpractice lawyer than knows how to document your evidence and proceed with your case.
It is extremely important to remember that the statute of limitations, or the time you have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit, is generally one year after the date of the incident.
Medical malpractice is a serious concern in Ohio, reflecting the national trend where it ranks as the third leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer.
In 2017, Ohio-specific data showed that the most common types of medical malpractice claims include misdiagnosis (34%), surgical mistakes (24%), treatment errors (18%), birth injuries (10%), medication errors (4%), patient monitoring issues (4%), and other types (6%). Combating this issue involves legal action, with jury members serving as the conscience of their communities.
For Ohio residents affected by medical malpractice, legal assistance and resources are available through specialized law firms like Tittle & Perlmuter.
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases in Ohio is generally one year from the date of the malpractice incident. However, there are exceptions to this rule:
- Discovery Rule: The one-year period can start from the date when the malpractice was or should have been discovered, but you must be cautious as the court considers when you *should have* discovered it, not necessarily when you actually did.
- Physician-Patient Relationship: If the treating physician continues to provide care for the condition caused by the alleged malpractice, the one-year period begins when the physician-patient relationship regarding that condition ends.
For more detailed information or specific inquiries, please contact us.
There is no difference between medical malpractice and medical negligence; they are one and the same.
Both terms refer to situations where a medical professional fails to act as a reasonable and prudent provider would under similar circumstances. This means they have broken the standard rules they must follow.
If you believe you or a loved one has been injured due to a medical professional’s actions, it may be grounds for a medical malpractice case. For more information, please contact us.
When selecting a medical malpractice lawyer, there are several important factors to consider:
- Focus of Practice: Ensure that the lawyer primarily handles personal injury and medical malpractice cases rather than juggling multiple types of law such as divorce or DUI cases.
- Trial Experience: Verify the lawyer has experience in taking medical malpractice cases to trial, as this can be crucial for holding doctors and hospitals accountable.
- Staying Updated: Check if the lawyer keeps up with the latest trends in medical malpractice, including advancements in electronic medical records and audit trails, which are essential for effectively prosecuting such cases.
- Client Reviews: Look at past client reviews to see if former clients were satisfied with the lawyer’s services.
- Personal Connection: Finally, make sure you feel comfortable with the lawyer, especially if they are going to handle deeply personal and significant matters like the death of a loved one.
For more guidance, contact us.
To prove a medical malpractice case, we rely on expert testimony, medical literature, and collected evidence.
This involves getting doctors to testify on the standard of care that should be followed, which can include guidelines and textbooks reviewed by other medical professionals.
We then compare the care in question to these established standards. If the care did not meet these standards, we use this information, along with expert testimony, and your evidence to prove malpractice.
Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Ohio can be complex, but here are key criteria to consider for approaching our law firm, Tittle & Perlmuter:
- The case involves a loved one who has passed away.
- The patient has experienced paralysis, loss of a limb, a brain injury, or another catastrophic injury that leaves the patient permanently changed.
- The presence of medical negligence, such as leaving a surgical instrument in the body for an extended period.
We evaluate every case thoroughly, but only accept about 2-3% of the cases we review based on these criteria. If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic harm, contact us for an evaluation.
Common types of medical malpractice cases include but are not limited to: anesthesia errors, birth injuries, surgical errors, medication errors, diagnostic errors, emergency room errors, radiology errors, failure to diagnose errors, failure to diagnose cancer, misdiagnosis of a heart attack or stroke, nursing home abuse, hospital malpractice, failure to provide a necessary test, misdiagnoses, delay in diagnosis, leaving surgical instruments in the body, nursing negligence, and inadequate staffing, training, or supervision of staff.
Depending on who is at-fault, you can potentially sue both.
Medical malpractice is when a medical professional or facility fails to follow patient safety rules that cause a patient to be injured, harmed, or killed.
Catastrophic injuries involve the following: death, paralysis, brain injury, loss of limb, loss of a bodily organ system, or some type of serious, permanent injury that has drastically altered someone’s life.
According to Ohio law, the award of pain and suffering damages (also known as non-economic damages) in medical malpractice cases is limited to $250,000 or three times the economic damages up to a maximum of $350,000 per plaintiff or $500,000 in cases with more than one plaintiff.
If injury occurs as the result of medical care, you should seek the opinion of a qualified medical malpractice lawyer.
Yes, you can.
While the hospital may carry out a quality assurance review, it is up to the family to hire an attorney to obtain justice for their loved one.
In a civil lawsuit, generally speaking, monetary compensation is the only damages sought, though there could be declaratory judgement sought.
Settlement negotiations are based on settlement values in similar cases as well as the skill and experience of the lawyers involved.
You must prove based on a reasonable degree of medical certainty that the negligent conduct was, at least, a proximate cause of their death.
Failure to act as another physician would under the same or similar circumstances.
Every patient has a right to be informed fully about their medical care. This is called informed consent.
Process of a Medical Negligence Claim
Leaving No Stone Unturned In Your Case.
Tittle & Perlmuter prosecutes these cases all throughout Ohio, including Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. We treat each one of our cases with extreme care. You will never feel like “just a number” when you work with us. We have access to a network of medical experts who can weigh in and share the facts of your case. Let us do the work while you focus on healing.
At Tittle & Perlmuter, our Ohio medical malpractice lawyers only agree to take on the most serious malpractice cases. If we agree to accept your case, we do so with the confidence that your case is genuine and that you deserve compensation due to the negligence of a medical provider. Additionally, it means that we firmly believe that we can prove these facts at trial. In other words, when our firm accepts your case, it is because we are prepared. We are ready to investigate right away. Then, we will take your case to trial if the insurance company will not settle for a fair amount.
How Hard is it to Prove a Medical Malpractice Case?
Your Complex Case Demands an Experienced Team.
Proving a medical malpractice case in Ohio is very difficult. There are two main reasons for this. First, the law requires that an affidavit of merit be filed with the lawsuit. This affidavit must be signed by a doctor who swears that there was negligence and that the negligence caused harm. This can be difficult to obtain because doctors are often hesitant to testify against other doctors.
Second, even if an affidavit of merit is obtained, the case will still need to go to trial. At trial, a jury will decide whether the medical provider was negligent and whether that negligence caused harm. This can be difficult to prove because medical malpractice cases often involve complex medical issues.
Download Our Free Cleveland Medical Malpractice Guide
No one wants or expects to be a victim of medical malpractice. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get educated. Our Ohio Medical Malpractice Guide can help you understand the proper steps to take if you ever experience malpractice.
- What is medical malpractice and how does Ohio law define it?
- What is a typical example of a medical malpractice case?
- What steps should you take if you are a victim of malpractice?
- How is a medical malpractice case proven?
- What evidence is used to show that a doctor caused harm?
- What is my medical malpractice claim worth and how is it valued?
Our Cleveland Medical Malpractice Lawyers Can Help
Gain Peace of Mind, Get the Guardians on Your Side | (216) 222-2222
We do not tolerate doctors or nurses who fail to follow the rules all others must follow, which is why we will fight hard for you to receive the justice and compensation you deserve. When you are ready to act, give us a call – it will cost you nothing to have your potential claim evaluated. We welcome the opportunity to hear your story.
For a free claim evaluation and consultation, call now or fill out our online contact form. We will respond promptly. We can arrange evening and weekend appointments, and we can come to you.
Don’t wait to act! A medical malpractice attorney has deep expertise, unshakable passion, and a record of success necessary to fight for you from the very first moment you decide to pick up the phone and call us, all the way to the best possible outcome we can earn. There is NO FEE if we don’t win, so call now!
Read More: Recent Medical Malpractice Blogs
Additional Resources to Educate, Equip, and Empower.
Holding Nurses Accountable for Negligence in Ohio: A Guide for Patients
Even the most dedicated professionals can make mistakes, and when these mistakes fall below the expected standard of care, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Every Second Counts: The Importance of Timely Heart Attack Diagnosis
Heart attacks are a leading cause of death in Ohio, and every second you wait on a proper diagnosis, counts. Unfortunately, even with advanced medical technology, medical providers can and do fail to diagnose or misdiagnose heart attack symptoms.
Is Surgery More Dangerous Than We Think?
Surgical Specialties Resulting in Claims Of the surgery-related medical malpractice claims that were analyzed for this study, over 47% of them involved just three surgical