If you live in Harlingen, you’ve probably trusted a local hospital or doctor with your own or a loved one’s medical care. If your trust in your doctor or hospital is breached and you suspect that you or a family member suffered because of medical negligence, you need a lawyer you can trust. Read on to find out how the Harlingen hospital negligence lawyers at Carabin Shaw can help with your medical malpractice lawsuit.
Defining Medical MalpracticeIn Texas, what is commonly known as medical malpractice is called a “health care liability claim” and is defined by Section 74.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as a claim against a healthcare provider “for treatment, lack of treatment, or other claimed departure from accepted standards of medical care” that results in injury to or death of the patient. Harlingen medical malpractice lawyers specialize in helping you understand how health care liability claims work and guiding you in the steps you should take if you suspect you’ve suffered from medical negligence.
Requirements for Filing SuitIn 2003, the Texas legislature passed a tort reform bill that ushered in many new requirements for filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. These new requirements are stricter and place limits on the amount of damages you can recover and how long you have to file a claim. If you think you may have suffered because of a medical provider’s negligence, a medical malpractice lawyer in Texas should be your first call. An attorney will go over your case with you and advise you about any and all deadlines applicable to your case, in addition to representing you in any negotiations with the hospital or doctor you’re filing suit against.
You may be wondering where to begin if you suspect medical malpractice in Harlingen, Texas. First, you should be aware of the requirements and deadlines for filing a medical malpractice claim. If you have Harlingen medical malpractice lawyers on your side, you’ll never wonder if you’re in danger of missing or forgetting one of these deadlines—they’ll help you stay on top of them. The statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice suit in Harlingen is two years. Usually this two-year period begins on the date of injury or, if the injury could not be reasonably discovered at that point, two years from the date a prudent person could be expected to discover the same injury. The other important deadlines to be aware of when filing a medical malpractice claim are:
If you find yourself asking, who are the best medical negligence lawyers near me? The good news is Harlingen medical malpractice lawyers are just a phone call away. If you suspect you’ve suffered from medical negligence, retaining an attorney is the best choice you can make.
A medical malpractice attorney serving Harlingen will discuss your case and provide you with practical advice, such as actions you should take or avoid while your claim is unresolved. Until you’ve discussed your claim in detail with your lawyer, you should make sure you don’t skip any medical appointments—failing to continue medical treatment could jeopardize your medical malpractice claim. You should also avoid talking about your injury or your case on social media or through email. The defendant’s attorneys may be able to use any statements you’ve made about the injury online in their defense.
If you or a loved one has suffered from medical negligence, call the Harlingen hospital negligence lawyers at Carabin Shaw at 956-664-7255 or toll free at 800-862-1260. We’ll provide you with a free consultation, so call today.