Gail N. Friend

Gail Friend is a masters prepared RN who realized how progressive infiltration of the law was altering clinical practice, and health care delivery. She entered South Texas College of Law, graduated cum laude with Order of Lyte honors and was offered employment with an internationally recognized law firm, (currently Rose Norton Fulbright). Eventually she became a partner in Friend & Associates where she continues to successfully practice health care risk management consulting, medical malpractice and administrative health law in Texas. She has represented nurses, physicians, facilities/entities in medical malpractice, OIG investigations, peer review proceedings, before licensing boards and agencies.

has successfully represented injured patients, during a time that research data substantiates increasing patient injuries due to health care system errors. Her underlying goal is to preserve and protect nurses and practitioners’ ability to competently practice in a convoluted system that is legally evaluated by its ability to prevent errors, patient complications and injures.

• Governing Body Peer Review Process
• Healthcare Quality Risk Management
• Licensing Board Representation-Nurse, Ancillary Practitioner
• Management Legal Consulting

• Free Consultation
  Initial Consultation Free
• Contingent Fees
  Contingent fees are offered if medical malpractice claims are accepted Otherwise arrangement for payment is individualized.

Certification American Board Professional Liability Attorneys

Texas

State Bar of Texas

Since 1983

Friend & Associates

Current

University of Texas - Austin

M.S. Nursing-Healthcare Administration

South Texas College of Law

Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)

1983

Honored Listee

Who's Who

2024

State Bar of Texas  # 07474700

Member

1983 - Current

A Litigator's Perspective

Confidentiality of Health Care Information in the Computer Age

Firm case citations in O'Connor's, Texas Rules and Civil Trials, And Texas Civil Appeals, 2002–. present

Identifying and Protecting the Peer Review and Medical Committee Privileges,

The New Rules of Show and Tell

Q. Do I have a claim for not being watched by the nurses in the hospital after surgery for amputation and fell broke hip?

May 3, 2024

A: I would suggest a medical malpractice attorney free consultation to obtain additional information .

You man contact my office, 1-888-352-0726 Or my direct number is 713-256-6524

Q. What would you call it when you're in the er for treatment yet the doctor dismisses your pain and won't do xrays?

May 2, 2024

A: Generally there is an approximate 2 year statute of limitations for bringing a lawsuit. Based on the information you provided you need to talk with a medical malpractice attorney. Suggest that you or someone on your behalf immediately use this website to search for a "medical malpractice attorney who practices in the largest city near you; who has a lot of experience with treatment of patients who have the type of injury that you have, in an emergency room. He will require time to obtain your medical records and have an physician review them to look for evidence to meet the legal elements of a claim against you.

Q. Have meniscus root tear, because delay of ordering mri my knee is close to needing replacement.

May 2, 2024

A: This answer is based on information provided by you, which alone is insufficient to determine that your circumstances have met the requirements of a medical malpractice case. That is because a medical malpractice case requires legal elements which must be proven by medical expert opinion(s), and is one type of legal action.

You went to the hospital ER after the incident which caused your knee injury, and you were subsequently evaluated and treated there and by other physicians for that injury.

Diagnosis of the type of injury must be made by a physician, and how that diagnosis comes about is based on physician clinical judgement after evaluation and data gathering procedures by the physician. The "standard" by which physician medical diagnosis and treatment is measured is "what an ordinary reasonable physician would do in the same or similar circumstances". The legal elements require proof that the acts by a physician violated that standard and "but for that physician's violation" the patient would not have been injured. In other words in your situation there must be proof that a physician's act or omission resulted in separate, "additional damage to you" (other than the damage caused by the original injury which brought you to the ER. ) Unfortunately, poor care can occur does not qualify for a medical malpractice lawsuit.

However, this does not mean that your circumstances do not qualify for legal action. That can be determined by an attorney who is provided with your full medical records, your history, the facts surrounding the original cause for your injury, and has the option of expert review, if deemed necessary. ... Read More