Choosing a medical malpractice law firm is an important decision. These cases can involve complicated medical evidence, expert testimony, and defendants backed by hospitals, insurance companies, and experienced defense lawyers.

At Poulos & Cavazos, our attorneys have spent decades representing patients and families harmed by medical negligence in New Mexico. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about our firm, the cases we handle, and what clients can expect when working with our team.

What does Poulos & Cavazos do?

Poulos & Cavazos is a Las Cruces, New Mexico law firm focused on medical malpractice. We represent patients and families who have been seriously harmed, or who have lost a loved one, because of negligence by doctors, hospitals, nurses, and other healthcare providers.

Our attorneys have pursued claims against physicians in virtually every medical specialty, as well as physician practices, hospitals, hospital management companies, nurses, drug manufacturers, and medical and pathology labs. Over the past two decades, the firm has obtained more than $500 million in gross recoveries for victims and their families.

We do not handle car or truck accidents, dental negligence, family law, or criminal cases.

Why does Poulos & Cavazos focus on medical malpractice?

The reason is personal. In 1981, firm founder Victor Poulos’ daughter was born with severe brain damage caused by medical negligence. Decades later, she still requires 24-hour care.

After seeing firsthand how the legal system worked for families with ordinary resources, Victor dedicated his career to fighting for people harmed by medical negligence. That experience remains the purpose behind the firm today, and it shapes how we treat every client. Read Victor’s story.

Was Poulos & Cavazos formerly Poulos & Coates?

Yes. The firm was previously known as Poulos & Coates, LLP. It is the same firm, led by Victor Poulos, at the same Las Cruces office.

What types of medical malpractice cases does the firm handle?

Some of the cases our attorneys handle include:

These cases often involve long medical histories, multiple providers, and extensive records. Our attorneys and medical consultants work to understand exactly what happened and whether negligence caused the injury or death.

Does Poulos & Cavazos handle birth injury cases?

Yes. We represent children and families in birth injury and obstetrical malpractice cases, including cerebral palsy and Erb’s palsy.

For our founder, these cases are personal. We understand that a child’s birth injury can mean a lifetime of care, and we work to understand those long-term needs and what they will cost the family.

Does the firm handle wrongful death cases?

Yes. We represent families whose loved ones died because of medical negligence, such as a missed diagnosis, a surgical error, a medication error, or a hospital’s failure to act in time.

Our attorneys work to determine what happened, identify everyone responsible, and pursue accountability on behalf of the family. Wrongful death results listed by the firm include a $6 million settlement and a $2,921,173 jury verdict.

Who are the attorneys at Poulos & Cavazos?

The firm’s attorneys have more than 60 years of combined legal experience.

Victor F. Poulos is the firm’s founder and managing attorney. He earned his law degree from Washburn University School of Law in 1976, has tried more than 120 jury trials, and has argued appeals before the Supreme Courts of New Mexico, Texas, and Kansas and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Victor has been selected to Super Lawyers® for 14 years, from 2008 through 2010 and every year from 2016 through 2026, a recognition based on peer recognition and professional achievement. He has held an AV Preeminent® rating from Martindale-Hubbell for more than 25 years and has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers. He has served as chairman of the New Mexico Human Rights Commission and as treasurer of the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association.

Andrew J. Cavazos is a partner and trial attorney. He earned his law degree from Texas Tech University School of Law and is licensed in New Mexico and Texas. Andrew has been selected to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for seven consecutive years, from 2020 through 2026, and was named a National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 civil plaintiff’s attorney every year from 2019 through 2024. The El Paso Young Lawyers Association and El Paso Bar Association named him Most Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year in 2021. He also served on the committee that drafts the Texas pattern jury charges for products liability and medical malpractice cases.

Frances A. Nuno is an associate attorney with more than 25 years of hands-on legal experience. She began as a paralegal in 1993, later earned her law degree, and is licensed in California and Arizona and admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of California and the District of New Mexico. With the firm since 2023, she handles discovery, depositions, mediations, and complex healthcare lien resolution.

Melanie Ben is an associate attorney who focuses on medical malpractice. She earned her law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law and is admitted to New Mexico state and federal courts. Before joining the firm, she gained experience in medical malpractice, insurance defense, and insurance bad faith.

Does Poulos & Cavazos have medical experts on its team?

Yes. Our team includes a nurse and a physician whom we consult with weekly on case analysis. Having medical professionals involved helps us understand the medicine in each case and address the details that matter.

What sets Poulos & Cavazos apart?

Several things distinguish our approach.

First, we have lived our clients’ story. Our founder’s own daughter was harmed by medical negligence, and that experience drives everything we do.

Second, we focus on medical malpractice. Our practice is not spread across car accidents and other general injury cases, which keeps our attention on the complex medical and legal issues these cases involve.

Third, we are New Mexicans. Our attorneys practice daily under New Mexico’s medical malpractice laws, have practiced in every New Mexico Judicial District, and work from a physical office in Las Cruces.

Fourth, we are small and dedicated. We limit the number of cases we take so each client gets personal attention.

Finally, we serve Spanish-speaking clients. Our in-house staff provides translation services, and our Spanish line is 866-849-0781.

What results has Poulos & Cavazos achieved?

Over the past two decades, the firm has obtained more than $500 million in gross recoveries for victims and their families. Results listed by the firm include:

  • $7,000,000 jury verdict: failure to diagnose
  • $6,000,000 settlement: wrongful death
  • $2,921,173 jury verdict: wrongful death
  • $2,500,000 settlement: surgical error

Past results do not guarantee the outcome of any future case. Every claim depends on its own facts, injuries, and evidence.

Is Poulos & Cavazos willing to take cases to trial?

Yes. Our attorneys are trial lawyers.

Not every medical malpractice case needs to go before a jury, and a fair settlement can sometimes be the best result for a client. But hospitals, doctors, and their insurers evaluate a case differently when they know the other side is ready to try it. Victor Poulos has tried more than 120 jury trials, and our results include jury verdicts in failure to diagnose and wrongful death cases.

How does Poulos & Cavazos investigate a potential case?

It is hard to know whether you or a loved one was a victim of medical malpractice. You may recognize a poor outcome, but without a medical background, it is difficult to tell whether the standard of care was breached.

Our team of attorneys and medical consultants will listen to your story, review what happened, and help you determine whether you have a case. Depending on the situation, that can include reviewing medical records, test results, and the treatment timeline, and consulting qualified medical experts.

What happens after the firm accepts my case?

If you have a case, we dedicate ourselves to shifting the financial burden of the injury from you to the negligent provider. Depending on the case, that can include gathering records, consulting experts, evaluating current and future damages, pursuing the claim through the required legal process, conducting discovery and depositions, negotiating with the defense, and preparing for trial.

Because we limit our caseload, our attorneys have the capacity to keep you informed and give your case personal attention throughout.

How do I know whether I have a case?

A bad medical outcome does not automatically mean malpractice occurred. Generally, a claim requires evidence that a healthcare provider failed to meet the standard of care and that the failure caused an injury or death, with measurable physical, emotional, or financial harm.

You do not need to figure that out on your own, and you should contact us even if you only suspect you might be a victim. For more background, see our FAQ for New Mexico medical malpractice claims.

How much does it cost to hire Poulos & Cavazos?

The initial consultation is free.

We handle cases on a no-win, no-fee basis. There are no upfront costs to investigate or pursue a claim, and if you do not win, you owe no attorney fees.

Where does Poulos & Cavazos handle cases?

We represent clients throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Alamogordo, and Deming, and our attorneys have practiced in every New Mexico Judicial District. We also represent clients in the El Paso, Texas area and in Arizona.

Our office is in Las Cruces. We are not a virtual or out-of-state firm handling New Mexico cases from a distance.

Do I need to live near Las Cruces to hire the firm?

No. Phone calls and video chats work well for many conversations, but sometimes a face-to-face meeting matters. With a pilot on our staff, we can fly to clients when necessary, including anywhere in Arizona.

How quickly should I contact a medical malpractice lawyer?

As soon as reasonably possible.

Medical malpractice claims are subject to legal deadlines, and the deadline that applies depends on the state and the facts of your case. Records also become harder to obtain and memories fade as time passes.

Do not assume you have plenty of time based on general information online. An attorney can tell you what applies to your situation.

What should I have ready for my consultation?

You do not need to have everything gathered before you contact us. However, it can help to have:

  • The names of the doctors, hospitals, and other providers involved
  • Approximate dates of treatment
  • A short timeline of what happened
  • A description of the injury or unexpected outcome
  • Information about any follow-up treatment
  • Medical records, test results, or discharge papers you already have

If we need more records to evaluate your case, our team can help get them.

Do you help Spanish-speaking clients?

Yes. Se habla español. Our in-house staff provides translation services for Spanish-speaking clients. Call our Spanish line at 866-849-0781.

How do I speak with a Poulos & Cavazos attorney?

You can contact Poulos & Cavazos by calling (575) 523-4444, calling toll free at 888-478-5424, or submitting the secure form on our website. Our office is at 1802 Avenida de Mesilla, Las Cruces, NM 88005.

Consultations are free, and there is no fee unless we win. Tell us what happened, and we will answer your questions and help you determine whether you have a case.