El Paso Medical Malpractice
Every day in El Paso, people get sick or hurt and seek medical treatment at doctor’s offices, dentist’s offices, urgent care clinics, and hospitals. Getting better is always the goal, but what if your illness or injury gets worse after you see a doctor rather than better? If this happens to you or a loved one, you may have suffered from medical negligence and be entitled to compensation for medical malpractice. Read on to learn about the steps to beginning a medical malpractice claim in El Paso and how a lawyer at Carabin Shaw can help you pursue that claim.
Understanding Medical MalpracticeMedical malpractice occurs when a medical professional is negligent in providing care and that negligence causes harm to a patient. El Paso medical malpractice lawyers are experts in this area of law. If you suspect a medical professional’s negligence caused your injury or illness or worsened an existing injury or illness, a medical malpractice lawyer in West Texas may be able to recover damages you’re entitled to under Chapter 74, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. While any negligence or wrongful act might be considered malpractice if it caused illness, injury, or some other kind of harm, some common reasons to file a medical malpractice claim include:
- Wrong medication or dosage prescribed
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Unnecessary treatment or surgery
If you suspect you’ve suffered from medical negligence that harmed you, El Paso hospital negligence lawyers are your best resource. They’ll explore the nuances of your case and provide you with personalized, detailed advice about filing your claim. There are some steps you should be aware of even before you call an attorney. A Texas tort reform law passed in 2003 imposed certain limitations and restrictions on medical malpractice claims. While El Paso medical malpractice lawyers might tell you the deadlines apply differently in your case, the general time requirements for filing a medical malpractice claim are:
- Two years: The statute of limitations for filing a medical malpractice claim, beginning on either the date of the injury or the date a reasonable person could be expected to discover the injury.
- 60 days before filing a claim: You must provide notice to the medical professional you intend to file a claim against.
- 120 days after filing a claim: You must provide an expert report detailing the alleged medical negligence and resulting harm to the medical professional you filed the claim against.
A medical malpractice attorney serving El Paso will advise you on all aspects of your case, including anything that might jeopardize your case. There are also specific steps you can take, even as a potential claimant, that will aid El Paso hospital negligence lawyers in pursuing the compensation you’re entitled to in the future. First, do not miss or skip any medical appointments. Not treating your injury or illness could affect the outcome of your claim. Second, you should not mention your medical malpractice claim or injuries on social media posts or in electronic communications. These posts or interactions could be used against you by the defendant’s attorney.
Contacting an AttorneyNow that you know the initial steps to take when you suspect you need to file a medical malpractice claim in El Paso, you’re probably wondering, “Who are the best medical negligence lawyers near me?” A lawyer can provide you with peace of mind in a time of financial and emotional chaos, so call the El Paso medical malpractice lawyers at Carabin Shaw today at 915-779-230 or toll-free at 800-862-1260. We specialize in medical malpractice cases and will provide you with a free consultation and assessment of your case.