Wagar Hickman, 1401 West Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA (2026)

06/01/2026

One of the first questions families ask when considering a medical malpractice claim in Louisiana is how long the process takes. The answer is longer than most people expect. Before a lawsuit can be filed, a claim must first pass through the Medical Review Panel. That process alone can take anywhere from one to three years.

Here is a general look at why:

-A request for a panel must be formally filed
-The healthcare provider is notified and given time to respond
-A panel of three healthcare providers and one attorney is assembled
-Both sides submit records and written arguments
-The panel reviews the materials and issues a written opinion

Delays are common. Scheduling, record complexity, and procedural steps all affect the timeline.
It is one of the harder realities of pursuing a claim in Louisiana, and one of the clearest reasons why experienced legal guidance from the beginning matters.
If you have questions about a potential claim, contact Wagar Hickman for a consultation.
Wagar Hickman | 985-888-8740

05/22/2026

Louisiana law limits how much a medical malpractice victim can recover. It is one of the most important and least understood aspects of pursuing a claim in this state.

Here is what the cap means in practice:

-Louisiana limits total medical malpractice recovery to $500,000, not including future medical care
-A qualified healthcare provider is initially responsible for up to $100,000
-The Louisiana Patient Compensation Fund covers amounts above that, up to the cap
-Future medical expenses can be paid above the cap through the PCF as they are incurred
-Not every healthcare provider qualifies for PCF coverage, which affects how a case is handled

Understanding how the cap applies to a specific situation requires careful legal and medical analysis. The structure of a claim, the providers involved, and the nature of the injuries all factor into how compensation is pursued.

Louisiana's system is unlike any other state. Knowing how it works before you pursue a claim matters.

If you have questions about a potential case, contact Wagar Hickman for a confidential consultation.
Wagar Hickman | 985-888-8740

05/20/2026

Before you can file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Louisiana, there is a step most people have never heard of. It is called the Medical Review Panel, and it is required by state law before any claim can proceed to court.
Here is how it works:

-A panel is formed consisting of three licensed healthcare providers and one attorney who serves as the chair
-Both sides submit medical records and evidence for review
-The panel evaluates whether the standard of care was breached and whether that breach caused harm
-The panel then issues an opinion

That opinion is not a verdict. It is advisory. A finding against a claimant does not end the case, and a finding in favor does not guarantee a recovery. It is one step in a longer process. The Review Panel process can take a year or more depending on the complexity of the case. That timeline is one of many reasons why early case evaluation matters.

Louisiana's medical malpractice system is unlike the system in any other state. Navigating it well takes preparation and experience.
If you have questions about a potential claim, contact Wagar Hickman for a consultation.

Wagar Hickman | 985-888-8740

04/24/2026

Louisiana’s medical malpractice system includes the Patient Compensation Fund, a state-created structure that plays a central role in how many claims are handled and paid.

In most cases, healthcare providers are responsible for a limited portion of damages, and the Patient Compensation Fund covers amounts above that threshold. The fund itself holds over $1 billion in assets and is administered through a formal, state-regulated process.

However, accessing those funds is not automatic.

Claims must move through multiple stages, often beginning with the Medical Review Panel process, followed by litigation or settlement. Any payment from the fund must be approved through an oversight structure governed by Louisiana law, with strict procedural and evidentiary requirements at each step.

The system is designed to be structured and controlled, but it is also complex and highly technical. Understanding how to properly present a claim, navigate the approval process, and meet statutory requirements can significantly impact the outcome.

Medical malpractice cases in Louisiana require not only a deep understanding of the medicine involved, but also experience working within this unique legal framework.

If you have questions about how the process works or concerns about medical care you or a loved one received, contact Wagar Hickman at 985-888-8740 for a confidential consultation.

04/22/2026

A study from the University of Chicago found that 41% of American adults report experiencing a medical error — either personally or through someone close to them.

That number is significant.

Medical errors are often discussed in broad terms, but for many families, the impact is immediate and deeply personal. These situations can involve unexpected complications, unclear communication, or outcomes that do not align with what was explained or anticipated.

Not every poor outcome is the result of malpractice. Medicine is complex, and risk is part of many procedures. However, when something feels inconsistent, unexplained, or preventable, it may warrant a closer review.

Understanding whether proper standards of care were followed requires both medical insight and legal experience — and often begins with a careful evaluation of the records.

If you have concerns about medical care you or a loved one received, contact Wagar Hickman at 985-888-8740 for a confidential consultation.

04/20/2026

Medical malpractice cases are handled differently in Louisiana than in most other states — and that difference can significantly impact how a case moves forward.

Before many claims can be filed in court, they must first go through a Medical Review Panel. This panel is made up of three physicians who review medical records and provide an opinion on whether the standard of care was met. Historically, panels rule in favor of patients only about 15% of the time.

This process is not optional in most cases. It is required, highly structured, and governed by strict statutory rules, deadlines, and evidentiary requirements. The panel’s opinion is not the final decision in a case, but it can strongly influence how a claim proceeds.

Because of this, preparation at the earliest stages is critical. Medical records must be carefully analyzed, expert support must be considered, and every step must be handled with precision.

Medical malpractice cases already require a deep understanding of both medicine and law. In Louisiana, they also require experience navigating a system that is more complex than most.

If you have questions about medical care you or a loved one received, contact Wagar Hickman at 985-888-8740 for a confidential consultation.

04/17/2026

Medicine is complex, and not every outcome is preventable.

But when a result feels unexpected, inconsistent with what you were told, or difficult to explain, it may be worth taking a closer look.

At Wagar Hickman, every potential case is reviewed with a medical perspective in mind. Their team includes a nurse consultant who helps evaluate records and identify key issues from the very beginning.

That means your concerns are not just reviewed legally — they are also examined through a clinical lens.

Understanding what happened starts with asking the right questions and having the right professionals involved early in the process.

If you have concerns about medical care you or a loved one received, contact Wagar Hickman at 985-888-8740 for a confidential consultation.

04/15/2026

Medical errors are consistently ranked among the leading causes of death in the United States — often cited as the third leading cause, behind only heart disease and cancer.

Studies estimate that more than 250,000 people die each year due to medical errors, with some research suggesting the number could be as high as 440,000. That places medical errors above many other widely discussed causes of death.

But behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a story.

These situations are often complex. Not every outcome is preventable, and not every complication is malpractice. However, when something feels unexpected, unexplained, or inconsistent with what you were told, it is reasonable to ask questions.

Accountability is not just about responsibility. It is about understanding what happened, improving systems, and helping protect future patients.

If you have concerns about medical care you or a loved one received, contact Wagar Hickman at 985-888-8740 for a confidential consultation.

04/12/2026

Last soccer tournament of the season in Orange Beach with Grady and fam.

04/04/2026

Medical Malpractice review panels have been part of Louisiana's system since 1975. They cost insurers lots of money defending two successive claims instead of just one. They cost healthcare providers in higher premiums. And they cost victims by making the whole process last years longer. It's time for reform.

Senate Bill 500 by Senator Patrick Connick offers a way out. An optional certificate of merit system in which the plaintiff must file an affidavit by a competent medical doctor, certifying that malpractice has taken place based upon review of the records. Screening accomplished. If you do it this way, then you can go directly to court. Its a win/win for everyone. PRAF supports this bill. Please contact your legislators and urge them to vote passage of SB 500.

Wagar Hickman

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