What is the maximum medical malpractice damages in Texas?

Asked by: Prof. Garfield Cremin I  |  Last update: October 18, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (40 votes)

The Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform Act of 2003 places caps on the financial compensation victims of medical malpractice can receive. The cap on non-economic damages against health care providers is $250,000. The cap on non-economic damages against health care facilities is $500,000.

Is there a cap on malpractice payout 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.

Does Texas have a cap on medical malpractice?

$250,000 cap for all individual physicians or health care providers combined. $250,000 cap for a hospital or facility, up to a maximum of $500,000 if there are multiple hospital or facility defendants. Although the noneconomic damages cap became law in 2003, it's not indexed for inflation and isn't adjusted each year.

How much can you sue for medical malpractice in Texas?

The Texas medical malpractice law has put caps that limit the damages a patient can get if they win the case. The cap for the amount the defendant can pay the plaintiff, for all healthcare providers and hospitals, is $250,000.

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

37 related questions found

How long does a medical malpractice lawsuit take in Texas?

On average, most medical malpractice cases take 2-3 years to settle. However, if a medical malpractice case does not settle and goes to trial, the lawsuit can take up to 4 years. In cases where compensation exceeds $2 million, the timeline is often 5-15 years.

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.

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.

What is the standard for medical malpractice in Texas?

In the medical malpractice context, negligence means that the healthcare provider breached the applicable accepted standard of medical care. Under Texas law, the accepted standard of medical care is to act as a healthcare provider of reasonable and ordinary prudence would act under the same or similar circumstances.

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.

What is the compensatory 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.

What is the exemplary damages cap in Texas?

Texas caps the maximum amount of exemplary damages you can receive. Texas law doesn't allow punitive damages above $200,000 or twice the amount of your economic damages, plus an amount equal to your noneconomic damages, up to a maximum of $750,000.

How much can you sue for emotional distress in Texas?

Each person's emotional suffering after an accident is unique. Texas laws do not provide a standard formula for calculating the value of an emotional distress claim. It is left to the parties to agree to the value for an emotional distress claim or the jurors in a personal injury lawsuit.

What are the punitive damages in Texas?

Yes, Texas does limit the amount of punitive damages a plaintiff may receive in a personal injury case. Punitive damages are capped at the greater of $200,000 in cases in which economic damages are not awarded or an amount equal to double the economic losses plus an equal amount of non-economic damages up to $750,000.

What is the maximum amount you can sue for in Texas?

In Justice Court, the most you can recover in damages is $20,000, including any attorneys' fees.

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.

How long do you have to sue a hospital for negligence in Texas?

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.

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.

What doctors have the highest malpractice and sued most often?

The specialists most likely to be sued are both general and specialized surgeons. General surgeons and plastic surgeons were first on the list with 83% reporting having been sued at least once in their careers. Here are the next specialties on the list: Orthopedics (81%);

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.

What state has the most malpractice suits?

California had the most adverse action and medical malpractice payment reports in 2022, according to data from the National Practitioner Data Bank collected from Jan. 1 to June 30.

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.

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 biggest medical negligence case?

Top 5 landmark judgment on Medical Negligence
  • Kunal Saha Vs. AMRI (Advanced Medical Research Institute) –
  • V. Krishan Rao v Nikhil Super Speciality Hospital 2010 –
  • Samira Kohli vs. Dr. Prabha Manchanda and Ors –
  • Indian Medical Association v. V.P. Shantha –
  • Spring Meadows Hospital v. Harjot Ahluwalia –