No fees unless we win.
Get a free consultation
8 Reviews
5.0
★★★★★

Initial Steps To Take in a Toledo Medical Malpractice Case

If you are dealing with a medical injury or an avoidable illness caused by negligent care, you have the right to pursue legal action. Filing a lawsuit against the doctor, nurse, or facility responsible for your care may offer you a sense of justice.

To get started, you should focus on the initial steps to take in a Toledo medical malpractice case. You do not have to face this process alone. Working with an experienced medical malpractice attorney at Zoll & Kranz, LLC could improve your chances of a successful outcome for your case.

Obtain Copies of Medical Records

Most malpractice cases are built on a foundation of medical records. These documents help highlight the treatment a patient requires and the care they receive. This first step is essential, as building a viable malpractice claim in Toledo is almost impossible without access to a patient’s medical records.

Compiling this documentation before filing a lawsuit or attempting to negotiate a settlement is crucial. Medical records are necessary for developing a theory of negligence, and an injury attorney will use these to understand the facts of the case.

Understand the Statute of Limitations

There is a limited amount of time to file a Toledo medical malpractice claim, and an important first step in such cases is to determine the deadline for filing suit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations.

You have one year to file your medical malpractice lawsuit, but calculating when that period ends is not easy. The one-year window begins to expire from the date the medical error occurred or when your condition should have been reasonably discovered. There is also a four-year time limit for bringing these suits, regardless of when your condition is discovered.

Contact a Malpractice Attorney

It is important to find proper legal counsel in Toledo when pursuing a medical malpractice case. A dedicated attorney can work on your behalf and take the lead during every phase of the process, from the first days of the case to the closing moments at trial.

The support of an experienced lawyer from Zoll & Kranz, LLC, could reduce the stress of navigating the legal system during a medical malpractice case. Our commitment and diligence allows you to focus on what matters, such as improving your health and recovering from your medical injuries.

Obtain an Affidavit of Merit

Unlike most standard personal injury claims, one of the first steps required in a Toledo medical malpractice case is obtaining an affidavit from a medical expert. This affidavit of merit should be attached to the lawsuit at the time of filing.

The purpose of the affidavit is to have a medical expert review the care you received and give their opinion on whether it met the necessary standard of care.

Failure to complete this step can have devastating consequences. The court can dismiss a lawsuit if you do not provide the affidavit, although judges have the power to grant additional time to obtain one.

Contact a Toledo Attorney To Learn More About the First Steps to Take in a Medical Malpractice Case

These are only a few of the initial steps to take in a Toledo medical malpractice case. When you work with our team at Zoll & Kranz, LLC, you can count on us to work tirelessly on your behalf every step of the way.

Published by:
Share
Picture of Michelle L. Kranz
Michelle L. Kranz

Michelle is a founding partner of Zoll & Kranz, located in Toledo, Ohio. Michelle has been a plaintiff’s lawyer for the entirety of her practice – over 32 years. She devotes the majority of her time to complex consolidated litigation and class action including advocating for people injured by medical devices, prescription medications, or corporate negligence.

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and attorneys at Zoll & Kranz, LLC and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced Ohio injury lawyer, Michelle L. Kranz, you can do so here.

Zoll & Kranz, LLC does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.

Other cases we handle in Ohio
All
Auto Accidents
Injury Types
Medical Malpractice
Nursing Home Abuse
Other Accidents & Injuries
You can learn more about other Ohio cases we handle below:
Bedsores in Toledo Nursing Homes
Collecting Evidence in Toledo Medical Malpractice Cases
Collecting Evidence in Toledo Nursing Home Negligence Cases
Common Causes of Nursing Home Negligence in Toledo
Dehydration and Malnutrition in Toledo Nursing Homes
Dropped Patients in Toledo Nursing Homes
Duty of Care Owed by Toledo Nursing Home Facilities
Emotional and Mental Abuse in Toledo Nursing Homes
Failure to Perform Procedure Malpractice Lawyer in Toledo
Falls in Toledo Nursing Homes
How To Report Poor Nursing Home Care in Toledo
Inattentive Staff in Toledo Nursing Homes
Infections in Toledo Nursing Homes
Liability in Toledo Medical Malpractice Claims
Liability in Toledo Nursing Home Negligence Cases
Medication Errors in Toledo Nursing Homes
Neglect in Toledo Nursing Homes
Negligence in Toledo Medical Malpractice Cases
Negligent Hiring or Training in Toledo Nursing Homes
Nursing Home Negligence Wrongful Death Cases in Toledo
Ohio Agricultural Lawyer
Patient Rights in Toledo Nursing Homes
Personal Injury Lawyer Toledo, Ohio
Physical Abuse in Toledo Nursing Homes
Process of a Medical Malpractice Case in Toledo
Sexual Abuse in Toledo Nursing Homes
Toledo Anesthesia Errors Lawyer
Toledo Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Toledo Bus Accident Lawyer
Toledo Cancer Misdiagnosis Lawyer
Toledo Car Accident Lawyer
Toledo Delayed Diagnosis Lawyer
Toledo Emergency Room Error Lawyer
Toledo Failure To Diagnose Lawyer
Toledo Mass Torts Lawyer
Toledo Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Toledo Medication Error Lawyer
Toledo Misdiagnosis Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Toledo Nurse Error Lawyer
Toledo Nursing Home Negligence Lawyer
Toledo Nursing Home Negligence Safety and Preventative Measures
Toledo Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Toledo Surgical Error Lawyer
Toledo Toxic Exposure Lawyer
Toledo Truck Accident Lawyer
Wrong Site Surgery Malpractice in Toledo
Were you or a loved one injured in Ohio?

A serious injury can have life-altering results.

Don’t settle for less than you deserve, speak with an award-winning personal injury lawyer today.

8 Reviews
5.0
★★★★★
Recovered damages
$35 Million+

Table of Contents

Practice Areas
About Zoll & Kranz, LLC

For over 37 years, Zoll & Kranz has been fighting for clients who have been the victims of the wrongful death of a loved one.

Do you believe you’re entitled to compensation?

Use our Instant Case Evaluator to find out in as little as 60 seconds!

Guides & Resources

Other Ohio Personal Injury Cases

All
Auto Accidents
Injury Types
Medical Malpractice
Nursing Home Abuse
Other Accidents & Injuries
Local Toledo Resources
Education
Emergency Services
Courthouses
Department of Motor Vehicles
Sights to See