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

Asked by: Joyce Corwin  |  Last update: December 9, 2023
Score: 4.1/5 (36 votes)

In general, there is a two year statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims in Texas. This means that a medical malpractice suit must be filed no later than two years after the negligent act or omission occurred, or it is barred by the statute of limitations and cannot be brought.

What qualifies as medical malpractice in Texas?

What Qualifies as Medical Malpractice in Texas? The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code states that medical malpractice is when a health care provider administers “treatment, lack of treatment or other claimed departure from accepted standards of medical care” that results in injury or death to the patient.

Can you sue a doctor after 10 years in Texas?

Additionally, Texas has in place a statute of repose of 10 years for medical malpractice cases. This means that no medical malpractice lawsuit may be filed if more than 10 years have passed since the alleged mistake occurred, regardless of when the mistake was discovered.

What is the time limit for medical malpractice in Texas?

Texas law has a two-year statute of limitations for all negligence causes of action, including medical malpractice. In some cases, the timing of the negligence is easily known—for example, on the date of a surgery. In those cases, the statute of limitations will begin running on that date.

What is the statute of limitations for legal malpractice claim in Texas?

The statute of limitations for legal malpractice claims in Texas is two years.

What you and your family need to know about medical malpractice in Texas

30 related questions found

Is there a time limit on lawsuit in Texas?

Texas also has a four-year statute of limitations for lawsuits involving contractual obligations.

Can you sue 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. [1] Remember, it must be proven that this harm resulted from the healthcare professional's negligence.

Is it hard to sue a doctor in Texas?

These cases can be challenging to pursue because winning a judgment does not guarantee that the plaintiff will recover any damages. An experienced medical malpractice attorney can address these obstacles and review if any other parties involved are liable for the negligent care.

How do you win a medical malpractice case in Texas?

The elements you will need to show to prove your medical malpractice case in Texas include:
  1. The existence of a provider-patient relationship. ...
  2. The medical standard of care was breached. ...
  3. Quantifiable proof of harm, i.e. damages. ...
  4. Contact Our Team Today.

Can you sue a hospital in Texas?

Pursuant to Texas Law (Civil Code Section 74.051), you must provide the hospital with a notice that you will file a lawsuit against them. This must be completed at least 60 days before filing the suit. The notice must be accompanied by an authorization form to release protected health information.

Can you sue for misdiagnosis in Texas?

If you have been misdiagnosed by your doctor, you may be able to sue for medical malpractice. An attorney can help you determine whether or not you have a viable case and how much compensation you may be entitled to receive.

How much can you sue a doctor in Texas?

In total, the non-economic damages cap can reach up to $500,000, in the case that you sue both the doctor or healthcare provider and the hospital. So, the most you can get if you file a suit against a doctor is $250,000. If you sue a hospital for negligence, you can get the same amount.

Does Texas have a medical malpractice cap?

Noneconomic damages are capped by Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code Section 74.301 for medical malpractice cases as follows: $250,000 cap for all individual physicians or health care providers combined.

What is the hardest element to prove in a medical malpractice case?

Medical malpractice cases are generally difficult to prove, but the element of malpractice that is hardest to prove is usually causation. Causation is the aspect of a malpractice claim that shows the medical provider's action was a direct cause of the patient's injury.

How much can you get for malpractice suit in Texas?

The basics of Texas law

It caps the amount of money that can be awarded for pain and suffering in any medical error claim to a maximum of $250,000. There is no limit on the amount that can be reimbursed for medical costs or lost wages.

What triggers medical malpractice?

Many malpractice claims arise because of medical mistakes such as misdiagnosis, surgical errors, and improper administration of medication. If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, then contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible.

What is the highest medical malpractice settlement?

Ten of the Largest Medical Malpractice Verdicts of 2022
  • $111 million verdict in Minnesota: Thapa v. ...
  • $97.4 million verdict in Iowa: Kromphardt v. ...
  • $77 million verdict in Georgia: The Estate of Nicholas Carusillo v. ...
  • $75 million verdict in Georgia: Buckelew v. ...
  • $68.8 million verdict in Florida: Crohan v.

Can you sue a hospital in Texas for negligence?

If you or a loved one were injured in a Texas hospital due to negligence or a malicious act you can be awarded compensation for “damages”. These damages include: Economic damages – These damages reimburse medical bills and lost wages from missing work.

Can you sue for something that happened years ago in Texas?

In Texas, civil statute of limitations laws are anywhere from one to five years, depending on the severity of the claim. While Texas plaintiffs have one year in which to file a claim for defamation, the time limit is five years for sex crimes. Read on to learn more about Texas's civil statutes of limitation laws.

What is the length of time in which a person can file a lawsuit?

Except for when you sue a government agency, you almost always have at least one year from the date of harm to file a lawsuit, no matter which type of claim you have or which state you live in. In short, you should have no statute of limitations worries if you sue within this one-year period.

What are the elements of malpractice?

The injured patient must show that the physician acted negligently in rendering care, and that such negligence resulted in injury. To do so, four legal elements must be proven: (1) a professional duty owed to the patient; (2) breach of such duty; (3) injury caused by the breach; and (4) resulting damages.

What are the punitive damages for medical malpractice in Texas?

In the state of Texas, plaintiffs are allowed to recover punitive damages of up to $200,000; or, twice the amount of economic plus non-economic damages, up to $750,000.

Is there a cap on pain and suffering in Texas?

Damage Caps

Whenever the state is the defendant, your total claim is limited to $100,000. Finally, Texas will cap your pain and suffering (and other non-ecomonic) damages at $250,000 for medical malpractice claims and claims against a government entity.

How do you prove medical misdiagnosis?

A patient trying to prove misdiagnosis must show that a doctor in the same or similar specialty would not have misdiagnosed the illness or injury. The plaintiff will have to show that the doctor did not include the correct diagnosis on the list and that a competent doctor would have included it.