How long do you have to sue a doctor for malpractice in Texas?

Asked by: Simone Stoltenberg  |  Last update: December 5, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (10 votes)

The statute of limitations establishes the deadline. In general, a medical malpractice lawsuit in Texas has a two-year window, so in most cases, you would have two years to sue a doctor after surgery. However, there are certain exceptions.

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 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.

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 I prove medical malpractice in Texas?

Texas law requires persons injured by substandard medical care to prove:
  1. the existence of doctor-patient relationship or some other duty of care;
  2. the doctor or hospital was “negligent,” meaning that the care provided was below the prevailing standard of care within the medical profession; and.

HOW TO SUE A DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL FOR NEGLIGENCE 👨‍ 🏥

24 related questions found

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 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.

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.

What is the cap on medical malpractice damages in Texas?

For example, if an individual pursues a medical malpractice claim against a physician or a single healthcare institution, they may only receive a maximum of $250,000 on non-economic damages. If a person wants to sue multiple healthcare institutions, they can only receive a maximum of $500,000 in non-economic damages.

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 long does it take to file medical malpractice in Texas?

In general, a medical malpractice lawsuit in Texas has a two-year window, so in most cases, you would have two years to sue a doctor after surgery. However, there are certain exceptions. Other than the deadline, there are other critical details involved which might affect your case.

Which of the following are two examples of medical malpractice?

Examples of Medical Malpractice
  • Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis.
  • Misreading or ignoring laboratory results.
  • Unnecessary surgery.
  • Surgical errors or wrong site surgery.
  • Improper medication or dosage.
  • Poor follow-up or aftercare.
  • Premature discharge.
  • Disregarding or not taking appropriate patient history.

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 statute of limitations on a malpractice lawsuit in Texas?

For the most part, the statute of limitations in the state of Texas for medical malpractice is two years. This means that a citizen wishing to bring a medical malpractice suit against someone must do so no later than two years after the date of the negligent act, omission, or practice.

What is the statute of limitations for negligence in Texas?

In the state of Texas, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years. That means you have no more than two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the person or entity responsible for your injury.

Is there a cap on pain and suffering damages in Texas?

Non-economic damages are extremely subjective in nature. The jury will have to rely on its belief about what these damages are worth in dollar terms. See how pain and suffering is calculated in Texas. There are currently no caps on pain and suffering (non-economic damages) in Texas, except in medical malpractice cases.

What is the medical liability limit in Texas?

Liability Limits

Wrongful death suits have higher limits compared to malpractice cases. The state has a strict $250,000 limit on noneconomic damages in cases of medical malpractice per claimant in lawsuits against individual health care providers.

Is there a lawsuit cap in Texas?

Overall, you can receive up to $250,000 per defendant or $500,000 per case for bodily injuries and miscellaneous costs. There is a separate $100,000 cap for property damage. Importantly, caps against government defendants apply to non-economic and economic damages.

Who pays the highest malpractice?

More than half of anesthesiologists report being named in a lawsuit at least once in their career and the specialty continues to have one of the highest malpractice premiums, according to the Medscape Anesthesiologist Malpractice Report 2021.

Who pays the highest malpractice insurance?

Any physician doing invasive surgery will pay higher medical malpractice insurance rates than physicians performing no surgery. For the same reasons OB/GYNs pay more, surgeons pay higher rates too.

How rare is medical malpractice?

More than 100,000 deaths each year might be related to medication complications. Up to 1,500,000 people suffer a nonfatal injury due to a medical error each year. Only 1-in-50 medical malpractice victims will pursue a claim. About 50% of medical malpractice cases are filed against surgeons in particular.

What are the 4 C's of malpractice?

Recognizing that you are an imperfect human being who will make mistakes, you can nevertheless reduce your risk of causing harm, and of being sued successfully. Start by practicing good risk management, building on the old adage of four Cs: compassion, communication, competence and charting.

What are the four D's used to determine malpractice?

The four D's – duty, dereliction, direct causation, and damages – remind the public of what constitutes an act of medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is not always intentional; it is commonly attributed to acts of negligence that still possess overarching consequences.

What are the biggest malpractice suits?

  • Thapa v. St. ...
  • The Estate of Nicholas Carusillo v. Metro Atlanta Recovery Residences, Inc.: $77 Million. ...
  • Kromphardt v. Mercy Hospital: $97.4 Million. ...
  • Dudley v. Iowa Physicians Clinic: $27 Million. ...
  • Melendez v. Mo: $19.7 Million. ...
  • Threat v. Gamble-Webb: $30 Million. ...
  • Medical malpractice lawsuits are increasing.

What is the largest malpractice settlement in Texas?

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]TYLER, Texas – Trial law firm Martin Walker has earned honors for winning the largest medical malpractice verdict in Texas in 2018 for the $43.32 million jury award against Tyler-based East Texas Medical Center and one of its doctors.