how do you find a texas lawyer to sue a doctor for bad surgery on my dads hip

by Mr. Hyman Lueilwitz 8 min read

How to sue a doctor for medical malpractice?

Oct 25, 2015 ¡ In Cook v. Neely, a woman sued a neurosurgeon for health care liability and fraud. The case arose when the plaintiff experienced pain in her hip, leg, and lower back. She sought care from the neurosurgeon, who performed surgery on her, removing her herniated disc and placing two medical devices known as bone plugs to stabilize her spine.

What can a client sue a lawyer for in Texas?

You can file a grievance with the Texas State Bar, which will initiate a review of the situation, but it won’t help you resolve your problem. 3. Sue Your Attorney. There are situations where suing your attorney is the only way to get compensation for damages you’ve suffered because of poor representation. Before you sue your attorney, make sure you understand the two things that …

What makes a good medical malpractice lawyer?

Ex.: Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases, and has adopted the continuous treatment rule. If a doctor in Texas causes an injury during surgery, and continues to treat the patient for that injury for 4 more years, then the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the doctor has completed treatment.

What are the pre-lawsuit requirements for a medical malpractice lawsuit?

Ask. Ask your doctor. Get second opinions if possible. Talk to lawyers, who may have medically trained staff that can give an informed opinion, or who may have dealt with the exact same issue (or doctor) you are dealing with. Do whatever you can to attempt to allay any misgivings you have about your care. But take any opinions with a grain of salt.

How long do you have to sue a doctor after surgery in Texas?

Two YearsStatute of Limitations Texas: Two Years to File a Lawsuit For example, say you were injured due to a doctor's negligence during a surgery that occurred on April 1, 2019. Under the statute of limitations, you have until April 1, 2021, to bring a lawsuit.Nov 5, 2019

Can you sue a doctor for failed surgery?

Many doctors are not employees of the hospital where they perform surgeries. Instead, doctors are sometimes contractors who can treat patients and perform surgeries at one or more hospitals. Therefore, you cannot sue the hospital for medical malpractice or failed surgery – only the doctor.Jan 28, 2022

Can you sue for surgery complications?

A positive outcome is never guaranteed when a patient undergoes surgery. However, if a surgery patient suffers harm due to a preventable medical error, the injured patient and/or family members may be able to sue to recover compensation for their losses through a medical malpractice claim.Oct 6, 2020

Can you sue a doctor for pain and suffering in Texas?

In Texas, there is a cap of $250,000 on pain and suffering damages in medical negligence cases. Even if the per diem or multiplier method calculates a number above the cap, Texas courts can not grant you an award higher than $250,000.

What happens if a surgeon messed up?

When your doctor makes an error in treating you, he or she could face liability for a medical malpractice lawsuit. All medical providers, including doctors, surgeons, anesthesiologists, physiatrists, nurses and therapists a have a legal responsibility to prevent harm to their patients.

What is the most common type of surgical error?

Anesthesia mistakes. Anesthesia errors are the most serious and most frequent deadly surgical errors. If too much anesthesia is administered, the patient can get too little oxygen, which can cause brain damage and death.

Can you sue a doctor for infection after surgery?

In many cases of negligence, both the hospital and doctor can be sued for medical malpractice. If you suffer a surgical infection following a procedure, there may be any number of causes. Your body may simply have reacted poorly to the surgery and an infection may follow.

What is classed as medical negligence?

Medical negligence is substandard care that's been provided by a medical professional to a patient, which has directly caused injury or caused an existing condition to get worse. There's a number of ways that medical negligence can happen such as misdiagnosis, incorrect treatment or surgical mistakes.

Can I sue my doctor for not helping me?

If a doctor failed to uphold their duty of care to you, then you could be entitled to make a medical negligence claim against them. Providing you can prove that the doctor in question caused your suffering unnecessarily, you could have grounds to sue them.

How much can you sue a doctor in Texas?

$250,000There is a per-claimant $250,000 cap on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases against a physician or health care provider. For medical malpractice cases against a single health care institution, there is a per-claimant $250,000 cap on non-economic damages.

Can patients sue doctors in Texas?

In many other states, Duntsch might have faced multiple lawsuits, leading hospitals to reconsider his privileges. But in Texas, it's nearly impossible to sue a doctor.Jul 22, 2021

How do you win a malpractice lawsuit in Texas?

To win a medical malpractice suit, your attorney must prove that your doctor directly caused your injuries. Damages: Your attorney must prove that the patient suffered economic and non-economic damages from the injury.

How long does it take to file a medical malpractice claim in Texas?

A claim must be filed within two years of the malpractice incident, or two years from the conclusion of the hospitalization episode when the malpractice occurred.

What is negligence in Texas?

Texas defines negligence as a conscious act (or omission of info) that entails an extreme risk of harm to others, which the perpetrator was aware of and still proceeded with – thus demonstrating “conscious indifference to the rights, safety, or welfare of others.”. [2] Texas also stipulates that negligence must ‘willfully ...

What is a health care provider in Texas?

A health care provider is defined as any person, partnership, professional association, corporation, facility, or institution duly licensed, certified, registered, or chartered by the State of Texas to provide health care, including: a physician. a registered nurse. a dentist. a podiatrist.

How long do you have to be a juror in Texas?

Be able to read and write. Not have served as a juror for at least 6 days within the last 3 months in a county court or the last 6 months within a district court. Not convicted, indicted, or accused of any misdemeanor, theft, or felony.

Does Texas require a pretrial screening panel?

Although Texas does not mandate the reference of a pretrial screening panel or arbitrator, the state legislature has authorized counties to use alternative methods and systems for dispute resolution. [18]

What is the 51% bar rule in Texas?

What this means is that the damaged party cannot recover money if they are found to be 51% or more at fault for their injuries.

Can a case settle outside of court?

Given the arduous and tedious nature of litigation, it is not unheard of for a case to settle outside of court, before ever going to trial. This is where the topic of arbitration comes into play. As mentioned earlier, counties in Texas have been authorized to adopt alternative dispute resolution systems, and this includes mediation to avoid going to the lengths of a full-blown trial. Anytime prior to trial, a settlement between the disputing parties is permitted.

Attorney Ethics

Are you frustrated with the work your attorney is doing? There are things you can do to try to correct the problem. However, if your situation meets the criteria for legal malpractice, you may decide to sue your attorney. Here are the steps you can take.

1. Try to Resolve Your Issues With Your Attorney

If you have hired an attorney to assist you with a legal matter, the odds are that you’ve already invested time and money in the relationship. If you’re dissatisfied, start by discussing your concerns — it could save you from even more serious problems in the future.

2. Fire Your Attorney

In situations where you haven’t lost money or been hurt by your attorney’s delay or lack of attention, the smartest thing to do is simply move on. You can file a grievance with the Texas State Bar, which will initiate a review of the situation, but it won’t help you resolve your problem.

3. Sue Your Attorney

There are situations where suing your attorney is the only way to get compensation for damages you’ve suffered because of poor representation. Before you sue your attorney, make sure you understand the two things that are necessary to prove legal malpractice:

How long do you have to file a malpractice claim?

The short answer is, yes, you can, since most states give you two to three years to bring a claim after malpractice occurs. The longer answer is, it depends on the type of injury and the state in which the claim is brought.

How long is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice in New York?

New York has a two-and-a-half year statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases, set by New York Civil Practice Law and Rules section 214-a. Let's say a surgeon in New York negligently leaves a foreign object in a patient during surgery.

When does the statute of limitations start ticking?

In many states, the statute of limitations clock does not start ticking until the injury has been (or reasonably should have been) discovered by the patient. This is known as the "discovery rule."

Can you file a medical malpractice lawsuit?

Medical malpractice lawsuits, like all civil cases, can only be brought within a certain period of time. That deadline is set by a law known called a "statute of limitations.". Every state has passed these kinds of laws, with different deadlines according to the kind of case you want to file. In almost every state, there is a dedicated statute ...

Free Case Evaluation

Please answer a few questions to help us match you with attorneys in your area.

Does Your Case Meet the Legal Threshold for Medical Malpractice?

Before you sue your doctor for medical malpractice, take some time to consider whether you believe your case meets the threshold for a medical malpractice claim. Did your doctor breach the medical standard of care and did that breach cause you to suffer damages? Be honest with yourself.

Was Your Treatment Merely Unsuccessful?

Many people mistakenly choose to file medical malpractice lawsuits because they are unhappy with the results of their treatment. However, a poor result -- even death -- does not always equate to malpractice. Medicine is an inexact science. Even the most routine procedure can result in complications both foreseen and unforeseen.

Can You Afford Not To File? Can You Afford To Lose?

Medical malpractice lawsuits are expensive, time-consuming and emotionally draining affairs. They are long, drawn-out and adversarial processes that often turn ugly. Before you decide to sue your doctor, make sure you are prepared to deal with the ensuing aggravation and potential financial ramifications.

How long do you have to file a medical malpractice lawsuit?

All states have specific deadlines for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, set by laws called statutes of limitations. These laws can be very complex, since in most states the deadline can vary depending on the circumstances of a particular case. So the text of a typical statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits might include: 1 the standard filing deadline (i.e. one year, two years) 2 the " discovery rule " exception for situations in which the patient did not know (or could not reasonably have learned) that a health care provider's medical negligence played a role in their harm 3 an overarching time limit for filing the lawsuit (called a "statute of repose"), which applies regardless of any "discovery rule" extension, and 4 the deadline for minors, incapacitated individuals, and others.

What is the statute of limitations for medical malpractice?

All states have specific deadlines for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit, set by laws called statutes of limitations. These laws can be very complex, since in most states the deadline can vary depending on the circumstances of a particular case. So the text of a typical statute of limitations for medical malpractice lawsuits might include:

When do you have to submit an offer of proof?

In many states, the plaintiff's lawyer must submit what is called an "offer of proof" or a "certificate of merit" when (or soon after) filing the lawsuit, and before any pretrial investigation occurs .

What is a certificate of merit?

The "Certificate of Merit" and Other Pre-Lawsuit Filing Rules. In many states, the plaintiff's lawyer must submit what is called an "offer of proof" or a "certificate of merit" when (or soon after) filing the lawsuit, and before any pretrial investigation occurs.

Can you sue a doctor for medical malpractice?

To sue a doctor for medical malpractice you must be able to show the doctor's actions fell "below the standard of care". Based on the facts you state in your email, you may have a potential claim.

Can you sue a doctor for failing to complete a surgery?

You can sue a doctor for failing to complete a surgery if the surgeon committed "medical malpractice" in his/her failure to complete. However, just because a person had complications following surgery does not mean the surgeon did anything wrong. There are known complications for all surgeries.

Can a medical malpractice attorney take a minimal damage case?

Yes you can if you can establish that the Dr breached the standard of care of a Dr who would perform such surgeries. The bigger problem may be your damages which appear minimal. In Michigan, pain & suffering is limited by statute. Most malpractice attorney don't take a minimal damage case because of the the cost to work it up. Permanent loss of income or lifetime medical expenses may make your case more attractive. Contact an attorney who specializes in medical malpractice cases.

Can you sue a surgeon?

Yes you can sue the surgeon. I would recommend finding a good medical malpractice attorney in your area. Medical malpractice cases are very difficult to win as you bear the burden of proof which means you will have to hire experts to prove your case. Find a good attorney and move forward.

Suing For Medical Malpractice in Texas

  • In Texas, medical malpractice suits can be filed for “treatment, lack of treatment or other claimed departure from accepted standards of medical care” that result in injury or death to the patient. Remember, it must be proven that this harm resulted from the healthcare professional’s negligence. A patient could theoretically be harmed at any point of treatment, but the only harm t…
See more on gilmanbedigian.com

How to Find The Best Texas Medical Malpractice Lawyer For Your Case

  • If you have considered filing a medical malpractice claim, you or a loved one have likely suffered great pain and distress at the hands of a negligent healthcare provider, and rightfully seek recompense for those hardships. Your selection of attorney can have a substantial bearing on the outcome of your case, so it is a critical base to cover if you wish to bring your claim to trial. Han…
See more on gilmanbedigian.com

Some Notable Medical Malpractice Law Decisions from Texas

  • Kassen v. Hatley
    Kassen. v Hatley called the nature of official immunity into question. Centered around the 1988 suicide of Pennie Johnson, the suit was filed by Johnson’s parents against her treating physician, nurse, and two health care institutions. Johnson was a chronic mental health patient. When she …
  • Franka v. Velasquez
    During the delivery of Stacey Velasquez’s son, his front shoulder became obstructed in a rare but well-documented birthing emergency, known as shoulder dystocia. While trying to free the infant’s shoulder with their hands, Franka, a practicing physician, and Reddy, a medical resident, heard a …
See more on gilmanbedigian.com

Footnotes

  • Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 74.001, (7) Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 41.001, (11), A, B Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 74.153 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 74.104 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 74.101 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 74.151 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 74.251 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 74.051 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 74.001, (11, 12) Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 33.001, 33.012 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 74.301 …
See more on gilmanbedigian.com