Houston
What to do if you suspect medical negligence in Houston
The short answer
When medical negligence is suspected in Houston, two separate tracks exist: a complaint to the Texas Medical Board, which handles licensing and discipline, and a health care liability claim under Chapter 74 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. Chapter 74 has its own notice, expert-report and time-limit rules, described below with their sources. InjuryClaimGuide is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.
Key facts, as of October 22, 2026
- The Texas Medical Board takes complaints about physicians and other licensees online, by mailed form, or by form request through its Complaint Hotline at 800-201-9353; state law prohibits anonymous complaints. Source: Texas Medical Board, Complaint About Licensee
- Before a health care liability lawsuit is filed, Texas law requires written notice by certified mail to each physician or provider at least 60 days in advance, with a medical-records authorization form. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §74.051
- In a health care liability claim, the claimant must serve one or more expert reports on each defendant physician or provider not later than the 120th day after that defendant's original answer is filed. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §74.351(a)
Medical negligence (sometimes called malpractice) claims involve a healthcare provider falling below the accepted standard of care, with resulting harm. These cases are factually and legally complex.
Related guide: How to choose a medical negligence lawyer in Houston
Related guide: How to find a personal injury lawyer in Houston
What can a Texas Medical Board complaint lead to?
- If the Board finds a violation, it may order corrective or disciplinary action, from a written reprimand up to suspension or revocation, and may impose fines, but it does not award any type of money damages to complainants. Source: Texas Medical Board, The Citizen Complaint Process
What time limit applies to health care liability claims in Texas?
- Texas generally requires a health care liability claim to be filed within two years from the breach or tort, or from completion of the treatment or hospitalization at issue, with special rules for minors. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §74.251(a)
How does Texas define a health care liability claim?
- Texas defines a “health care liability claim” as a cause of action against a health care provider or physician for treatment, lack of treatment, or other claimed departure from accepted standards of medical care, or health care, or safety or professional or administrative services directly related to health care, which proximately results in injury to or death of a claimant. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §74.001(a)(13)
- Notice of a health care claim must be accompanied by a medical authorization in the form the statute specifies; without it, further proceedings against the provider that received the notice are abated until 60 days after the provider receives the authorization. Source: Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §74.052(a)