Wrongful Death Due to Medical Negligence

If you lost a loved one due to a hospital’s negligence, you may have legal grounds to seek justice. Hospitals and medical institutions have a duty to provide a reasonable standard of care, and when preventable errors lead to a patient’s death, families deserve honest answers and fair compensation. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, our experienced Houston medical malpractice attorneys can help you understand how to file a lawsuit against a hospital, investigate what went wrong, and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Contact us at 713-751-0025 today for a free consultation with a lawyer to sue a hospital in Texas.

What is Wrongful Death Due to Medical Negligence?

Medical negligence occurs when a hospital, doctor, or healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, resulting in patient harm or death. In a wrongful death case, this negligence directly causes a fatal outcome. To build a successful claim, our Houston wrongful death attorneys must prove:

  • A doctor-patient or hospital-patient relationship existed.
  • The hospital breached its duty of care through negligence or improper policies.
  • This breach directly caused the patient’s death.

If a healthcare provider’s actions deviated from accepted medical standards and caused a preventable death, the hospital or its staff may be held legally liable.

Common Types of Hospital Negligence Leading to Wrongful Death

Types of Hospital Negligence Leading to Wrongful Death

Families may sue a hospital for wrongful death when medical negligence leads to a fatal outcome. Common causes include:

  • Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
  • Medication errors – incorrect dosage or wrong prescription
  • Surgical mistakes – anesthesia errors, improper procedures
  • Inadequate staffing – insufficient medical personnel on duty
  • Failure to maintain equipment – use of defective medical devices
  • Hospital-acquired infections – lack of proper sanitation protocols

Hospitals can also be held accountable if they employ unqualified medical staff, fail to properly supervise negligent employees, or do not enforce basic patient safety protocols.

Who Can File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit in Texas?

Under Texas wrongful death laws, the following individuals may file a claim:

  • Spouse of the deceased
  • Children (minor or adult)
  • Parents of the deceased

If family members do not file a lawsuit within three months of the death, the personal representative of the estate may pursue a claim on their behalf. Our Houston wrongful death attorneys can review your situation, confirm your eligibility, and guide you through each stage of the legal process.

How to File a Lawsuit Against a Hospital in Texas

To successfully file a lawsuit against a hospital for wrongful death, plaintiffs typically must:

  • Gather medical records – Document any potential malpractice.
  • Consult with medical experts – Expert testimony is crucial for proving negligence.
  • File a claim within the statute of limitations – Texas law imposes a two-year deadline for filing medical malpractice cases.
  • Prove hospital liability – Show how the hospital’s negligence caused the wrongful death.

At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we have the experience and resources needed to build a strong case against negligent hospitals and other medical institutions.

Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases

If a hospital’s negligence caused your loved one’s death, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical expenses prior to death
  • Funeral and burial costs
  • Loss of income and financial support
  • Pain and suffering of surviving family members

Texas law limits non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases to $250,000 per healthcare provider, with a cap of $500,000 in cases involving multiple institutions. However, additional damages may still be available in cases involving gross negligence.

Deadline to File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against a Hospital

Texas imposes a two-year statute of limitations on wrongful death lawsuits involving medical malpractice. Certain exceptions may apply, but most late-filed cases will be dismissed. To help protect your right to compensation, contact a Houston wrongful death lawyer as soon as possible after your loss.

Call Our Houston Wrongful Death Attorneys Today

You deserve answers if your loved one died due to a hospital’s negligence. The Houston wrongful death lawyers at Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs are ready to investigate your case and fight for the justice your family deserves.

Call us today at 713-751-0025 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.