Harmonson Law Firm - April 2025

R? THESE DESERT TRAILS ARE THE CURE

Undergoing a medical procedure is stressful at best. Dealing with complications or unexpected outcomes? That can turn the experience into a nightmare. But a bad medical experience doesn’t mean you’re a victim of medical malpractice. So, what is malpractice, and why are these cases so tough in Texas? WHAT DOES ( AND DOESN’T ) COUNT AS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IN TEXAS Texas law is clear about what malpractice is and is not. First, you have to prove a medical professional clearly breached the standard of care. This means they did something no reasonable, competent doctor with the same training would have done in the same situation. Second, the mistake must have caused serious harm, such as significant injury, disability, or death. Negligence is also a factor. Bad outcomes happen even when a doctor does everything right. It’s just part of medicine. But malpractice is different. It happens when a doctor knowingly takes a shortcut or makes a decision they know is risky and could cause harm. That shows negligence, but most cases aren’t so clear-cut. A doctor was rude. Surgery didn’t go as planned. A specific treatment didn’t work. These things are frustrating but fall well short of malpractice. Serious complications from a routine surgery? Unless a clear, preventable error caused these issues, that’s not malpractice, either. THE UPHILL BATTLE OF TEXAS MALPRACTICE CASES Texas law makes malpractice cases incredibly hard to win. Strict damage caps limit what a victim can recover. There’s a $250,000 cap for non-economic damages (pain and suffering) per claimant against a single health care provider or institution. If multiple defendants are involved, there’s a $500,000 cap for each individual. THINK YOU HAVE A MALPRACTICE CASE? What You Need to Know

shadows and illumination over the desert. This makes the area popular among photographers. The area also has unique historical sites. A 1.5-mile hike along Dripping Springs Trail takes you to a

19th-century mountain resort once used as a sanitorium for tuberculosis patients. Several abandoned buildings still stand along the route, and you’ll also have plenty of chances to spot local wildlife.

STAYING SAFE, STAYING SMART ON THE TRAILS Spring in El Paso-Las Cruces is great for hiking, but only with the right preparation. The weather can change in an instant; layer appropriately. Start hikes early to beat the heat, and always take more water than you think you’ll need. Don’t forget about wind and dust. Spring winds here can be crazy. A hat, sunglasses, and a light buff will protect your face and eyes.

Finally, don’t waste time. You have to race the spring weather to enjoy it before its gone, so get outside while you can.

Keto Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken This keto-friendly chicken dish is packed with flavor, healthy fats, and protein. It’s the perfect weeknight option for a quick, tasty meal.

And it’s not just about caps; these cases are expensive. They’re time-consuming and require

INGREDIENTS •

4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on

1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

hours of investigation, lots of evidence, and expert witnesses. This all adds up. Even a straightforward case will cost $30,000–$40,000. That’s why most cases never make it past the initial consultation.

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 tbsp heavy cream

2 tbsp olive oil

1 lemon, zest and juice

2 tbsp unsalted butter

2 tbsp chopped parsley, for garnish

2 cloves garlic, minced

1. Preheat oven to 400 F and season chicken with salt and pepper. 2. Heat olive oil in an oven-proof skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken skin-side down until crispy, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook 2 more minutes; remove from skillet and set aside. 3. Melt butter in skillet, then sauté garlic until fragrant. Add broth, cream, lemon juice, and zest. Simmer for 3 minutes. 4. Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over, and bake in oven for 15–20 minutes or until cooked through (165 F internal temperature). Garnish with parsley before serving. DIRECTIONS

IS IT STILL WORTH PURSUING A CASE? Is malpractice law in Texas challenging? Yes. Does that mean your

case isn’t worth pursuing? Absolutely not! Harmonson Law Firm is up for the challenge. If a doctor’s willful negligence caused serious injury to you or a loved one, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

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