State Tort Reform Laws Immunize Dallas Hospital From Ebola Suits

Reuters reports that injured parties will have a tough time suing the Texas hospital that sent home a patient later diagnosed with Ebola, because of state medical malpractice laws. Failure to properly diagnose a disease is a common basis for malpractice lawsuits, but each state has its own standards. Texas is one of the hardest places in the U. S. in which to bring suit over medical errors. The patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, was discharged untreated and later died. A nurse who attended him has been diagnosed with the disease. Possible legal claims could be brought by Duncan’s family, the nurse, and anyone else he may have put at risk.