Posted by: Kemmy Law Firm
To prepare for your medical malpractice claim, understanding some legal jargon will be critical. One of the most important distinctions to be aware of is the difference between medical negligence and malpractice. Many confuse the two terms, which could lead to an inaccurate understanding of your claim.
Medical malpractice and medical negligence are not two separate legal claims. The term “medical malpractice” is not even used in the Texas Medical Liability Statute. Instead, a medical malpractice claim is referred to as a healthcare liability claim.
According to Texas laws, anytime your health care provider violates their medical duty of care, they can be sued for medical malpractice.
The healthcare liability claim is the overarching suit, and negligence is one element that validates your case for compensation.
To establish negligence, four elements must exist:
Some examples of medical negligence that could warrant a healthcare liability claim include:
There are two primary types of medical negligence: gross negligence and ordinary negligence.
With gross negligence claims, the health care provider voluntarily disregarded the patient’s well-being. They may have knowingly and willfully acted in a way that would cause harm to a patient. A good example of gross negligence in a healthcare liability claim could include your surgeon or anesthesiologist showing up for your surgery while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Ordinary negligence is different. Here, your health care provider may not have voluntarily disregarded your well-being, but your well-being was disregarded nonetheless. This can include acts such as a health care provider failing to obtain your informed consent or failing to consider other potential treatment options.
When your health care provider’s negligent actions cause you substantial physical or emotional injuries and financial losses, you have the right to seek total recovery of your damages.
With help from a Texas medical malpractice lawyer at Kemmy Law Firm, you can recover your losses in full and have access to the funds you are going to need to rebuild your life. Fill out our online contact form or call our office at 210-750-1019 to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation as soon as today.
Get a free consultation. We do not charge up-front fees, and you owe nothing unless you recover compensation.
When you work with us at Kemmy Law Firm, you are working with a family run firm with more than 50 years of combined experience. We are dedicated and successful trial attorneys practicing in West TX, Hobbs, NM, Midland-Odessa, and across the Permian Basin. Our team handles everything from catastrophic injury claims to complex business matters. We are here to fight for you. We dedicate our time and attention to your case and use every resource available to maximize your claim and obtain the best possible outcome.
