Aggressive Representation For International Clients

The Cleveland Clinic offers a Global Patient Services department dedicated to assisting international patients with everything from lodging and flights, to online “teladoc” second opinions and international campuses. But even the doctors and specialists at the so-called “second best hospital,” in the U.S. commit acts of negligence; we know.

At Crandall & Pera Las, our founding attorney Steven Crandall has represented a number of international clients in medical malpractice cases against the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. He even represented one of the Clinic’s world-renown neurosurgeon’s in a malpractice lawsuit against his former employer. We have worked with clients from Kuwait, as well as Peru and other foreign nationals to investigate and prosecute medical negligence caused by the Cleveland Clinic.

We promise to treat you the way we treat our clients here in Ohio and Kentucky: with respect, dignity and discretion. When you need aggressive representation, our medical malpractice lawyers will protect your rights.

The Finances Of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation

The CCF is a nonprofit organization that owns the Cleveland Clinic, and operates satellite offices in Florida and Nevada, as well as international campuses in United Arab Emirates and Canada. The CCF is also close to opening the doors of a billion-dollar hospital in London, United Kingdom. Do not mistake “nonprofit” for “free,” however: in 2016, the CCF made $8 billion dollars.

A portion of this money comes from international patients, both at home and abroad. This is because, in most cases, international patients’ health insurance does cover care at the Cleveland Clinic, and in fact many times pays CCF better for procedures than U.S. insurance companies do.

The cost of treatment at the Cleveland Clinic can run into the hundreds of thousands, and initial estimates for care may not be even close to the final costs. When you have spent that kind of money for medical treatment, yet receive substandard care – or, even worse, sustain a serious, life-threatening injury as a result of medical negligence – the responsible parties should be held to account for their errors. We believe that you deserve to be compensated not only for the cost of your medical care, but also for the wages you lost, and the pain and suffering you endured.

How Do I Know If I Have A Malpractice Claim?

A mistake or negative outcome doesn’t necessarily equate to medical malpractice..

Sometimes, a procedure simply doesn’t work. Other times, a doctor or surgeon may make a mistake – they are human, after all – but the error doesn’t negatively affect the outcome of the treatment. In order to make a successful claim for medical malpractice, we must prove:

1. That a doctor-patient relationship existed.
2. That the doctor behaved in a negligent manner (AKA, breached the standard of care).
3. That the negligence of the doctor resulted in you being injured.
4. That your injury resulted in specific damages – i.e., pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, etc.

This is the same process for all clients, whether they live in the U.S. or not. If you have a relationship with a medical professional, and that professional’s negligence causes you harm, you can make a claim for damages.

Settlement Or Litigation: Which Option Is Best For International Patients?

At first glance, you might think that settling your claim against the Cleveland Clinic Foundation is your only option. This ins generally not correct. You have the right to file a lawsuit.

If this becomes your best option, we take can video depositions, requisition information from the Clinic and your insurer or Embassy, and work with the judge in your case to ensure you have your day in court, even if you physically cannot be in court. Our professional team utilizes state-of-the-art encryption technology and software that protects your health records, so you can feel at ease when sending your information online. We will also work with couriers if you need to send records or paperwork via secure or first-class mail. Our attorneys have years of experience in complex litigation, and have worked with international clients who have sued the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. You can trust that we will protect you and your information.

The lawyers at Crandall & Pera Law also provide Probate services to help foreign nationals navigate the court system when a case needs to be investigated and a guardianship or estate must be set up to even obtain the records from CCF.

A Quick Note About Medical Tourism

If you are a foreign patient who came to the U.S. to seek care form the Cleveland Clinic, then you have the right to make a claim for malpractice if negligence causes you harm. There are no jurisdictional issues, because the care you received took place in America. However, if you were treated by a CCF physician overseas in a facility not owned by the Foundation, you may face additional challenges trying to file a claim here. Please contact us to learn more.

The Crandall & Pera Law Difference

At Crandall & Pera Law, we help victims of medical negligence obtain the compensation they need and the care they deserve. We will work to communicate with your Embassy, handle all communications between insurance companies, and help you with accommodations and travel if you choose to return during the process. Our on-staff registered nurses can help explain the medical records to you or to a jury, to prove how you were injured.

When the time comes for you to be paid out for your claim, we will ensure that your settlement or jury award gets to you via transfer to your home bank, in your country’s currency, to help you avoid additional surcharges on the rate of exchange.

We also understand that even though you are in a different time zone, you still deserve the highest levels of care, and one-on-one attention from your medical malpractice lawyer and related staff. To that end, if you have questions or concerns that cannot be addressed during our office hours, we make ourselves available to you via phone or video conference whenever possible. You may be miles away, but we ensure that you never feel like you are.

Comprehensive And Experienced Counsel For International Clients

To learn more about our services, or to speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney, please call 855-444-6651, or fill out our contact form. If you are still in the United States, please contact us to schedule a consultation at one of our offices in Cleveland or Columbus, or you can request an in-home visit.