Bedford Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Medical malpractice occurs when medical practitioners fail to meet a certain standard of care required by their profession. When this negligence occurs, it can lead to serious and life-threatening injuries.
When you sustain injuries from poor healthcare, a Bedford medical malpractice lawyer could fight for compensation on your behalf. Litigating a medical malpractice claim can be complex, requiring specific evidence and expert testimony. However, a skilled injury attorney could handle your case and help ensure you demand the compensation you deserve.
How Does Medical Malpractice Occur?
Medical malpractice can take on many forms. However, while every instance of medical malpractice is serious and should be immediately addressed, several breaches of care are more common in the healthcare community, such as:
- Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose an injury
- Surgical mistakes
- Insufficient follow-up care
- Failure to properly treat an injury
- Childbirth injuries
- Prescription drug errors
A knowledgeable attorney in Bedford could help victims investigate the source of their injuries and identify how a medical practitioner failed to meet community standards.
Notice and Expert Reporting
A key component of medical malpractice claims that makes them exceptionally complex is the need for healthcare experts. For example, a legal representative must follow specific notice and reporting procedures to establish a claim successfully and will likely need to elicit expert testimony from medical professionals.
One of the first steps in initiating a medical malpractice claim in Texas is to provide a notice of intent to file to the potential defendants. This notice must be sent at least 60 days before filing the lawsuit and contain authorization to release the injured person’s medical records.
Another important procedure in pursuing a medical malpractice claim is to obtain and provide an expert report. Within 120 days of filing the healthcare negligence lawsuit, a lawyer in Bedford must give each defendant in the case a copy of the expert report. The report must contain the opinion of the medical expert as to the relevant standard of care in the community, a summary of how the expert believes t standard was breached, and a description of how the breach caused the victim’s injuries.
Damage Caps on Medical Malpractice Claims
The damages associated with a medical malpractice claim can be substantial in cases that involve severe injuries. However, an experienced lawyer in Bedford must also be aware of the financial recovery limits associated with healthcare negligence claims.
For example, in Texas, medical malpractice claims have a damages cap, which limits how much compensation a victim can recover in any given case. This cap only applies to non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and does not apply to economic damages for expenses like medical bills. In Bedford, the court caps non-economic damages in malpractice claims at $250,000, while awards involving multiple healthcare institutions cannot exceed $500,000.
Contact a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Bedford for Help
Unfortunately, medical negligence can quickly change the course of your life without warning. Medical errors could leave you with significant injuries, expensive medical bills, and mental anguish. Sadly, these cases can be difficult to fight. However, a Bedford medical malpractice lawyer could help you navigate these legal issues with ease.
By contacting an experienced attorney today, you can take the first step toward receiving the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consult to learn more about medical malpractice and how the law applies to your case.