No victim of medical negligence should suffer alone. At The Mejia Law Firm, we fight for individuals who have been harmed or lost a loved one because of a preventable medical error. A Houston medical malpractice lawyer from our office will sit down with your family, listen to your story, and discuss the legal options available to you and your family. We provide knowledgeable, honest, and compassionate legal guidance to injured victims and families who are considering filing a medical malpractice claim against a negligent party.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United states. This amounts to more than 250,000 lives lost every year to medical negligence. When a patient is harmed by a medical professional who does not perform their duties as they are supposed to, medical malpractice law provides a means of financial recovery. Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor (or other healthcare professional) fails to uphold a standard of care that patients have the legal right to expect. Medical malpractice can be a specific action, or it can be a failure to act when action is required.
Medical malpractice law applies not only to doctors, but to all those who provide medical and dental care. This includes doctors and dentists, surgeons, medical technicians, nurses, hospital staff members, pharmacists, medical specialists, and other healthcare providers. Injuries resulting from medical malpractice are preventable, and your lawyer will work to make sure that there is justice brought to the situation that caused you or your loved one to suffer harm.
How to Prove Medical Malpractice
Your Houston medical malpractice lawyer from The Mejia Law Firm will work with you to prove medical malpractice occurred and caused injury or wrongful death. To be eligible to file a medical malpractice claim, your lawyer will help make sure that your case meets certain criteria. In a medical malpractice case, a few elements must first be proved. These include:
- That there was a doctor-patient relationship between you and your healthcare provider.
- That the medical professional owed you a duty of care.
- That the duty of care was breached (or violated) by the healthcare provider.
- That the injury or wrongful death was caused by this breach of duty.
- That the injury caused you damages.
The damages that a patient may suffer after medical malpractice can range in scope and severity. Some people suffer injuries that heal in a matter of weeks or months. Some people undergo catastrophic damage that can leave them with permanent physical or cognitive disability. And some people lose their lives to the negligent actions of careless medical professionals. In situations such as these, it’s important that all damages be calculated to fully compensate victims to the level they deserve and are entitled to under the law. These damages can include:
- Costs of medical care
- Costs of rehabilitation and long-term recovery
- Loss of past, current, and future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished quality of life
- Mental trauma
- Wrongful death
Your Houston medical malpractice lawyer will conduct thorough investigations to establish exactly what happened to cause your injury. We partner closely with every client we serve. It’s our belief that we can best represent you only when we truly understand how your family was affected by the injury. We will do everything in our power to make sure that your case achieves the most successful outcome possible.
Examples of Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can result from a wide variety of errors in the medical field. The following examples of medical negligence are some of the most common types of medical malpractice:
- Surgical errors
- Anesthesia errors
- Birth injuries
- ER mistakes
- Prescription medication errors
- Misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, or failure to diagnose
- Failure to provide adequate or appropriate treatment
- Errors during a medical test, exam, or procedure
- Unsterilized equipment
- Failure to protect from infection
Legal Options After Medical Negligence
Hundreds of thousands of patients are killed every year in the United States through medical mistakes and negligence. The Mejia Law Firm takes a strong stand against medical malpractice. We advocate for patient health and safety. Our actions force the healthcare industry to take notice and make improvements, taking steps toward a future in which patients no longer fear medical malpractice.
When you visit a doctor, you should leave in a state of better health, not worse. A hospital should never make profits a priority above patient safety. If you were harmed by medical negligence, contact The Mejia Law Firm. We know medical care is extremely personal, and we always give your case the attention it deserves.