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Ohio Inebriated Medical Professional Lawyers
Tough representation when doctors, nurses, and other care providers treat patients while intoxicated
Doctors, nurses, therapists, and all other medical professionals owe their patients a duty to provide competent medical care. Inebriation jeopardizes the ability to provide medical care in many ways. Intoxicated physicians lack the judgment to conduct complete oral and physical exams, make a proper diagnosis, prescribe the correct treatments, respond to emergencies, and provide other quality medical care.
At Crandall & Pera Law, we understand the legal, medical, and ethical obligations that medical providers owe their patients. Our Ohio inebriated medical professional lawyers file medical malpractice claims when incompetent medical care causes injuries or deaths. For 30 years, we have been demanding full compensation for patients and families who suffer harm due to medical mistakes and medical misconduct. The purpose of our litigation is not just to protect our client but also other patients who may also suffer harm from physicians who may need substance abuse treatment.
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Table of Contents
- Why is it dangerous for physicians and other medical professionals to be inebriated in Ohio?
- What are the signs a medical provider is inebriated?
- What are the ethical duties of doctors who have alcohol abuse problems or know of other providers who are inebriated while providing medical care?
- What types of harm can intoxicated medical professionals cause in Ohio?
- Do you have an Ohio inebriated medical professional lawyer near me?
Why is it dangerous for physicians and other medical professionals to be inebriated in Ohio?
Whether a physician had a few too many drinks or has a serious alcohol abuse problem, providing medical care while intoxicated can cause serious harm (which may often not be correctable) and death.
According to Greater Boston Addiction Centers, alcohol can affect a medical provider's ability to provide competent medical care because alcohol slows down the central nervous system, which helps control cognitive abilities and the ability to regulate emotions.
Some of the short-term dangers of alcohol use include:
- A lowering of inhibitions. This can cause healthcare professionals to engage in risky activities and act boldly where caution is necessary.
- Impaired judgment. “Alcohol reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for reasoning and decision-making.” For example, doctors may neglect common safety precautions such as sterilization and conducting a full exam before making a diagnosis.
- Mood swings. These swings can make communication with patients and with other medical professionals unreliable.
- Memory blackouts. “Alcohol disrupts the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory formation.” Blackouts may not be able to recall prior actions, conversations, or decisions due to their inebriation.
- Overconfidence and recklessness. These are two attributes patients definitely don’t want to see in the people caring for their health.
Some of the long-term dangers of alcohol include dependency and addiction. Dependency can mean doctors miss appointments, fail to monitor patients, and a myriad of other dangers. Substance abuse can affect a medical professional’s work relationships, which are necessary to keep current with the latest medical standards and to ensure doctors are communicating with other professionals to maximize a patient’s recovery.
What are the signs a medical provider is inebriated?
According to Medical News Today, some of the visible signs of inebriation include the following:
- Slurred speech
- Bloodshot eyes
- Talking louder than usual
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
- Slow reflexes
At Crandall & Pera Law, we work with professionals who understand how to diagnose substance abuse. These professionals help us show that your medical provider was inebriated while caring for you. We also question the other medical professionals who work with the inebriated doctor to confirm your healthcare professional’s inebriation.
What are the ethical duties of doctors who have alcohol abuse problems or know of other providers who are inebriated while providing medical care?
Ohio provides that doctors can be disciplined if they fail to provide competent medical care or engage in other types of misconduct. The Ohio Legislative Commission defines these other types of misconduct as including the following (many of which may be due to intoxication):
- Gross neglect of work or duty
- Absenteeism
- Failure to report to work and not notifying appropriate personnel for up to two workdays
- Sleeping while on duty
- Unauthorized release of confidential information
- Acts that jeopardize the safety of oneself or others
Ohio also provides that the state medical board can “limit, revoke, or suspend a [physician’s] license or certificate to practice due to: “Impairment of ability to practice according to acceptable and prevailing standards of care because of substance use disorder or excessive use or abuse of drugs, alcohol, or other substances that may impair the ability to practice.”
All medical professionals who have alcohol disorders need to recognize how dangerous their drinking is and take steps to obtain treatment. For example, organizations such as the Ohio Board of Nursing’s Alternative Program for Substance Abuse Disorder recognize the dangers of inebriation and nursing duties and create programs to help nurses with alcohol disorders.
What types of harm can intoxicated medical professionals cause in Ohio?
Our Ohio inebriated medical professional lawyers hold medical providers liable for personal injuries and fatalities if their inebriation causes any type of medical mistake, including the following:
- Failure to diagnose or the failure to make a timely diagnosis
- Medication errors
- Failure to obtain an informed consent
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Emergency room errors
- Birth injury malpractice
- Failure to monitor a patient
At Crandall & Pera Law, we file medical malpractice claims against doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, and any other doctor who causes harm due to their inebriation. We may also file medical malpractice claims against the healthcare provider’s employer and any entity that had a duty to monitor the healthcare provider and failed to do so after learning the healthcare provider had a drinking problem.
Do you have an Ohio inebriated medical professional lawyer near me?
Yes. We meet patients and families at the following locations:
- Chesterland. Cambridge Square, 8251 Mayfield Rd Suite 24
- Cleveland. 850 Euclid Ave #1122
- Cincinnati (Downtown). 810 Sycamore St.
- Cincinnati (East Side). 4628 Aicholtz Rd.
- Chagrin Falls. 15 1/2 N Franklin St.
If you hurt too much to travel, our lawyers will arrange to see you or your loved one away from our offices. We also discuss medical malpractice claims with clients by phone and through online video forums.
Our lawyers are here to answer your questions and guide you through this difficult time.
Talk with our Ohio inebriated medical professional attorneys today.
If you suspect that your injuries or illness are due to your medical professional’s inebriation, please call Crandall & Pera Law as soon as possible. Our medical malpractice lawyers can work with our network of medical professionals to obtain an independent medical review of the treatment you received, the current status of your health, and what future treatments you will need. We demand full compensation for all your medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, loss of bodily function, and all other economic and personal damages. Please call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation.