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Gail N. Friend

Gail N. Friend

EXPERIENCED NURSE ATTORNEY for Patients, Providers & Practitioners
  • Health Care Law, Personal Injury, Appeals & Appellate ...
  • Texas
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Biography

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.

Gail 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.

Education
University of Texas - Austin
M.S. | Nursing-Healthcare Administration
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University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
B.S.
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Northwestern University
R.N.
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South Texas College of Law
J.D.
Honors: Cum laude; Order of the Lytae.
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Professional Experience
Partner
Friend & Associates
Current
Publications
Articles & Publications
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
'Nursing Today and Tomorrow,' Today's Nurse, The Health Channel, April 1999
Major Litigation Considerations for Risk Management,' Hospital Management International, 1999
49 Baylor Law Review, 607, 1997
Journal of Health Care Risk Management, Summer 1995
The Anatomy of EMTALA: A Litigator's Guide,' St. Mary's Law Journal, Vol. 27, No. 3, 463, 1994
Certifications
Board Certified Attorney
American Board Professional Liability Attorneys
Awards
Honored Listee
Who's Who
Professional Associations
State Bar of Texas  # 07474700
Member
- Current
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Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Texas
State Bar of Texas
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Fees
  • Free Consultation
    Free Initial Consultation
  • Contingent Fees
    Contingent fees are offered if medical malpractice claims are accepted Otherwise arrangement for payment is individualized.
Practice Areas
Health Care Law
Personal Injury
Brain Injury, Wrongful Death
Appeals & Appellate
Civil Appeals
Elder Law
Nursing Home Abuse
Medical Malpractice
Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
Additional Practice Areas
  • Governing Body Peer Review Process
  • Healthcare Quality Risk Management
  • Licensing Board Representation-Nurse, Ancillary Practitioner
  • Management Legal Consulting
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
Q. I was told that I would die if I left the doctors care at a rather huge hospital. They stole my phone & gave me drugs.
A: With few exceptions (such as that you are a threat to yourself of others - as determined by physicianS - You have a legal right to privacy, property and to communicate with persons who are not within the scope of a health care facility's authority. THEREFORE, I suggest that you confer with a medical malpractice attorney. When so doing, you have a duty to provide full details of your relevant medical history, allegations, and damage you claim caused injury or loss (i.e., Did you in fact suffer the side effects and complications that you described above.)
Q. IUD places through my uterus
A: this can be a complication or negligence. Suggest that you obtain medical records asap -- (fastest means for doing so is on the facility's/clinic's website), and seek an attorney who is experienced in medical malpractice asap. You did not state how long ago this occurred, but there is an absolute 2 year statute of limitations from the date of treatment/insertion. Texas law also mandates specific time related pre-suit requirements, meaning you need to secure an attorney as quickly as possible.
Q. I had hip replacement surgery with a resultant estimated 700 cc hematoma and was only placed on baby aspirin post op.
A: Being that you have clinical knowledge and have already reached opinions about the medical care, to make sure you are within the statute of limitations for filing suit -- ABSOLUTELY, seek out an attorney who has proven experience with OB cases... they are generally located in large cities where medical centers are located. Most medical malpractice attorneys handle them on contingency fee with a free initial consultation. During that consultation bring your evidence of wrong doing. Remember, violations of standards (wrong doing) alone is not sufficient for filing a lawsuit, the wrong doing must have a factual chain of events that directly lead to injury. ALSO obtain, give the attorney the benefit of your knowledge when interpreting the records. That may speed up decision making. ... Read More
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Websites & Blogs
Website
Gail N. Friend's Website Profile
Website
Friend & Associates Website
Contact & Map
Friend & Associates
Houston, TX, USA
Telephone: (888) 352-0726
Fax: (713) 650-7100
Monday: 8 AM - 5 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Thursday: 8 AM - 5 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed