You trust your doctor, nurse, or surgeon to provide you with competent care. When a medical professional makes a mistake, your trust is shattered, your health is jeopardized, and your finances are pushed to the limit. If you suffered an injury or illness due to a doctor’s mistake, or if one of your loved ones died after receiving improper medical care, Queenan Law can help you fight for justice. Serving the Dallas, TX area, The Queenan Law Firm is ready to file your claim if you were the victim of medical malpractice.
Founding attorney Kevin Queenan has more than 20 years of legal experience, making him a seasoned and effective advocate for the victims of negligence. He understands the challenges posed by Texas’ strict tort laws, and will work strategically to protect and uphold your rights. If you believe you may have a claim against your doctor, surgeon, or hospital, call Queenan Law at (817) 476-1797 for a free legal consultation, or contact us online. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide assistance throughout the Dallas area.
Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit for Doctor Mistakes in Dallas, TX
All medical procedures involve some level of risk. To keep these risks to a minimum, doctors must meet certain standards and protocols that have been developed to protect patient safety. If a doctor fails to meet the standards that a reasonable person would expect under the circumstances, and a patient is injured or killed as a result, the victim or victim’s family may have a claim against the doctor, along with any other parties whose actions contributed to the injury or death. In some cases, it is not the doctor’s actions that harm a patient, but the failure to take action when necessary, which is called an “omission.”
In short, you may have a malpractice claim if you became sick or injured because your doctor made a careless mistake. However, doctors are defended by aggressive attorneys and insurance companies who may try to prove that your injuries resulted from natural causes or unforeseeable complications. Our medical malpractice lawyers are ready to fight back for your family, holding doctors accountable when their actions cause patients to suffer.
Common Causes of Medical Mistakes
Medical errors have numerous causes. In many cases, there are multiple breaks in the chain that is meant to protect the patient. Some common causes of medical mistakes include:
- Doctors becoming distracted at a vital moment, whether due to interruptions, fatigue, or other factors
- Translation or transcription errors, particularly when abbreviations are involved
- Mix-ups between similar drug names or patient surnames
- Lack of adequate experience, training, or supervision
- Improper protocols around shift changes
Common Examples of Medical Mistakes
Even in world-renowned facilities with cutting-edge equipment, avoidable errors can lead to the deaths, injuries, or illnesses of vulnerable patients. There are numerous types of medical errors that can jeopardize a patient’s health, depending on factors like what sort of procedure is involved and what condition is being treated. In some cases, the problem is obvious almost as soon as the patient wakes up or arrives home, while in others, it may take many weeks or months for the error to have noticeable consequences. Examples of medical errors that may lead to malpractice claims include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Failing to screen for risk factors like allergies, drug interactions, or details from the patient’s medical history
- Failing to diagnose cancer or other medical conditions
- Failing to monitor and follow-up with the patient properly throughout all stages of treatment
- Failing to warn a patient about potential complications or risk factors
- Losing or mixing up patient records or medications
- Misdiagnosing a condition as the wrong type of illness or injury
- Performing a surgical procedure improperly (such as operating on the wrong area, or using an improper technique)
- Prescribing an excessive or dangerously high dosage
- Prescribing the wrong type of medication
How Much Compensation Can You Get for Medical Mistake Injuries in Dallas?
The answer to this question varies, since each malpractice claim is different. While it is impossible to assign an objective “dollar value” to anyone’s pain or suffering, the courts strive to be fair by taking as many factors as possible into consideration. In a Texas medical malpractice lawsuit, damages (compensation) may be available for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and other losses. Certain types of damages may be capped, which means there is a limit to the amount that the plaintiff may recover. However, there is no limit on the recovery of economic damages, which refers to compensation for medical treatment, lost income, and other financial losses.
Dallas Medical Mistake Lawyers for Malpractice Victims
At The Queenan Law Firm, we give a voice to the victims of medical malpractice. If you lost a loved one or suffered an illness because your doctor made a mistake, we are here to fight on your behalf. To arrange a free legal consultation, contact Queenan Law online, or call 24/7 at (817) 476-1797 for help.