Trust can only take you so far when it comes to health care

There is an old proverb in Japan, which when translated comes out as, “Even monkeys fall from trees.”  What it means is that even those we consider to be experts at something are not immune from making unexpected or uncharacteristic mistakes.  And in the context of modern life this is nowhere more apparent than when a doctor, nurse, pharmacist or other health care professional makes a mistake that can cause an injury or make an existing injury, illness or condition worse.

The distinction is, when a monkey loses its grip on a tree branch and tumbles to the ground chances are that it will suffer no more than soreness and potential embarrassment. But when it comes to slip-ups in the practice of medicine, you can find yourself experiencing another proverb, this one of Western origin: “A doctor buries his mistakes.” 

While not every instance of medical malpractice is fatal, the stakes are frequently high and the consequences of medical errors are often equally serious. Depending on the gravity of the mistake, the effects can be long-lasting or permanent injuries, expensive corrective medical procedures, physical and occupational rehabilitation, lost wages due to the inability to work, and even more indirect effects such as severe emotional trauma not only of the victim of the error but also of his or her loved ones.

We at the Marynell Maloney Law Firm know that the vast majority of medical professionals are worthy of trust in the vast majority of cases. But even if you discount the possibility of the rare individual who does not merit that trust, even the best health care workers, from brain surgeons to nurses and others, can still make that surprising mistake that has physical, financial and emotional effects that are very real to you or to a member of your family.

If you have found yourself in the situation of suffering the ill effects of what you believe was a medical malpractice-related error, we can help you to better understand what may have happened, its possible causes, and your possible remedies under Texas law.