When you visit a doctor, hospital, or any medical professional, you expect to receive safe and competent care. Unfortunately, medical mistakes happen far more often than most people realize. When a healthcare provider fails to follow accepted medical standards and that failure leads to an injury, the law considers it medical malpractice. These cases can be emotionally, physically, and financially devastating for victims and their families.
Texas is known for having strict medical malpractice laws, which can make it difficult for injured patients to obtain justice without experienced legal guidance. If you or a loved one was harmed because of a preventable medical error, a Dallas medical malpractice lawyer at Francis Injury Law can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
What Is Medical Malpractice?
Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, nurse, hospital, or any healthcare professional fails to provide the level of care that a reasonably competent provider would offer in the same situation. This can happen in operating rooms, emergency departments, private clinics, birth centers, or even during routine follow-up visits. When these preventable errors cause injury, long-term health complications, or the worsening of a medical condition, the law considers it malpractice.
Mistakes in the medical field can take many forms — from delayed diagnoses to surgical errors. Even something that seems small, such as failing to monitor a patient or misreading a lab report, can create serious and sometimes permanent harm.
Below are common examples of medical malpractice, each explained in brief detail:
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
A doctor may interpret symptoms incorrectly or fail to recognize a serious condition in time. A delayed or wrong diagnosis can allow the illness to worsen, leading to avoidable complications or more aggressive treatment.
Surgical Mistakes During or After a Procedure
Errors may occur in the operating room, such as operating on the wrong site, damaging nearby organs, or leaving surgical tools inside the body. Post-surgery mistakes like infections or improper wound care also fall under malpractice.
Pharmacy or Medication Errors
A provider may prescribe the wrong medication, incorrect dosage, or fail to consider harmful drug interactions. These mistakes can cause severe reactions, internal damage, or dangerous complications.
Anesthesia Complications
Anesthesiologists may fail to monitor oxygen levels, give too much anesthesia, or ignore allergies. Because anesthesia affects vital functions, even minor errors can result in brain damage or death.
Birth Injuries Affecting Mother or Child
Negligence during labor or delivery — such as failing to monitor fetal distress, improper use of forceps, or delayed C-section decisions — can lead to lifelong injuries, including cerebral palsy, nerve damage, or trauma to the mother.
Failure to Monitor Vital Signs
A patient’s vital signs often reveal early signs of distress. If nurses or doctors ignore changes in heart rate, breathing, or blood pressure, serious injuries or cardiac events may occur.
Ignoring Symptoms or Failing to Order Tests
Sometimes providers overlook clear warning signs or fail to order necessary imaging or lab work. Without proper testing, conditions like infections, cancer, or internal injuries may go unnoticed.
Premature Discharge From Care
Releasing a patient too early, before they are stable, can lead to severe complications or the need for emergency readmission. This is often considered negligence when the patient’s symptoms were not properly evaluated.
Time Limits for Filing a Medical Malpractice Claim in Texas
Texas law places strict deadlines on medical malpractice lawsuits. Under the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, most victims must file their case within two years from the date the malpractice occurred or the date the injury was discovered.
These deadlines are extremely important because medical malpractice claims require detailed investigation, expert medical review, and large amounts of documentation. Gathering this evidence takes time, so starting the legal process early helps protect your right to compensation.
Although a few exceptions may apply — such as cases involving minors — most claims that miss this two-year window cannot move forward. If you believe malpractice played a role in your injury, speaking with a medical malpractice lawyer in Dallas, TX quickly is essential to building a strong and timely case.
How to Prove Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice cases are more complex than typical personal injury claims because they require proof that the healthcare provider’s actions fell below accepted medical standards. To win compensation, you must establish several key elements:
- Duty of Care — You had a professional medical relationship with the provider.
- Breach of Duty — The provider failed to meet accepted standards.
- Causation — Their negligence directly caused your injury.
- Damages — You suffered measurable physical, emotional, or financial harm.
These cases often rely on expert testimony from qualified physicians who can explain what went wrong and how the provider’s actions caused your injuries. Hospitals and insurance companies strongly defend these claims, so having a skilled legal team is crucial for gathering evidence, obtaining expert opinions, and presenting a persuasive case on your behalf.
Compensation Available in Medical Malpractice Cases
A medical mistake can change the course of your life in a matter of minutes. The injuries may require long-term treatment, multiple surgeries, or ongoing care — all of which can create significant financial strain. A successful medical malpractice claim can help you recover compensation for both financial losses and the personal impact of the injury.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover all direct financial costs resulting from the malpractice, including:
- Hospital bills and medical treatment related to the error
- Future medical needs, such as therapy, surgeries, or long-term care
- Lost wages if the injury prevented you from working
- Loss of earning capacity for long-term or permanent disability
- Rehabilitation, medical devices, medication, and follow-up appointments
- Out-of-pocket costs, such as travel for treatment or home modifications
These damages are typically supported by receipts, medical records, and expert evaluations to show the full financial impact of your injury.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate victims for the personal and emotional impact of malpractice, which does not have a fixed dollar amount. These may include:
- Chronic pain and physical suffering
- Emotional distress or trauma
- Loss of quality of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of daily activities
In especially severe cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the provider for extreme negligence.
How Francis Injury Law Can Help
Medical malpractice cases are highly technical and require strong evidence, expert testimony, and a deep understanding of both medical and legal standards. Our Dallas medical malpractice attorneys know how overwhelming this process can feel, especially when you are still dealing with the physical and emotional impact of a medical mistake. That’s why we handle every detail of your case with care, strategy, and commitment.
When you hire Francis Injury Law, we will:
Conduct a detailed investigation into your medical treatment
We carefully examine what happened before, during, and after the incident. This includes reviewing timelines, treatment decisions, and whether proper medical protocols were followed.
Obtain and review your medical records with top experts
We work closely with trusted medical experts who help identify errors, deviations from medical standards, and the exact cause of your injury. Their insights strengthen the foundation of your claim.
Identify every negligent party involved
Medical negligence can involve doctors, nurses, specialists, hospitals, or multiple providers. We determine who is responsible so we can pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Build a strong legal strategy to support your claim
Our team creates a customized case plan based on the evidence, expert opinions, damages, and Texas malpractice laws. This helps ensure your case is presented clearly and effectively.
Handle all communication with doctors, hospitals, and insurance companies
We protect you from tactics used by hospitals or insurers to minimize payouts. Our attorneys manage all calls, letters, and negotiations so you don’t have to face them alone.
Calculate full damages — both financial and emotional
We assess not just medical bills but also long-term care needs, lost income, loss of earning ability, pain, suffering, and the overall impact on your daily life.
Negotiate aggressively for a fair settlement or take your case to trial if needed
Whether through settlement or litigation, we fight for the maximum compensation available. If the defense refuses a fair outcome, we are fully prepared to present your case in court.
Our mission is to give you clarity, support, and a strong legal advantage. With Francis Injury Law on your side, you can focus on healing while we focus on holding negligent medical providers accountable.
Medical Malpractice FAQ
+How do I know if my situation qualifies as medical malpractice?
+What is the time limit for filing a medical malpractice claim in Texas?
+What compensation can I receive in a malpractice case?
+Do I need expert witnesses for a malpractice case?
+How long does a medical malpractice case take?
+How much does it cost to hire a medical malpractice lawyer?
Contact Our Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Dallas, Tx Today
If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a medical mistake in Dallas, don’t delay getting legal help. Medical malpractice cases rely heavily on timely evidence—medical records, treatment notes, and expert evaluations can become harder to obtain the longer you wait. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the stronger your case can be.
At Francis Injury Law, we provide free, no-obligation consultations to help you understand your rights and determine whether negligence played a role in your injury. Our team handles every legal detail so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
Call us at (817) 329-9001 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation. With our office conveniently serving the Dallas–Fort Worth area, we proudly assist clients across North Texas who deserve answers, accountability, and justice.
