This is a list of our firm's case results in Virginia (VA) and beyond. We can't guarantee you'll receive the same results, but we can guarantee we'll work tirelessly on your behalf and try to obtain the jury verdict or settlement you deserve.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that every case is different and these verdicts and settlements, while accurate, do not represent what we may obtain for you in your case.

Failed Back Surgery

Court/dates: Newport News Circuit Court 2003 Staff: James C. Lewis, Attorney; Denell Falzon, paralegal; Karen Lorda, litigation assistant What happened: MH was a 61-year-old with back pain radiating down her left leg. She went to defendant neurosurgeon who advised her that she needed low back disc surgery. When he performed the surgery, he failed to properly control the surgical instruments and allowed one of them to cut three vessels in the plaintiff's abdomen, causing extensive internal bleeding. A repair of the damaged vessels by a vascular surgeon was attempted but was not successful. MH ultimately lost both her legs. Key legal strategy: Five highly qualified experts were quickly retained to support the plaintiff's case. In addition, it was anticipated that the doctor's attorneys would try to blame the vascular surgeon for the poor outcome. For this reason, the attorneys representing MH retained a vascular surgeon known to be a favorite witness of defense counsel to help support the plaintiff's case. Accordingly, when he was contacted by the doctor's attorneys, he could not assist them in the defense of the case. The results:

Awarded: The case was settled before the trial for 1.25 million dollars.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have extensive experience handling medical malpractice and doctor mistake cases. Please take a few moments to review our medical malpractice case results. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia, including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Newport News and Suffolk, VA, if you've been seriously hurt by the carelessness of a doctor, surgeon, nurse or pharmacist.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been recognized as among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Also, Rick and Jim have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of lawyers are chosen for this professional honor.

Members of our VA personal injury law firm have also been selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our VA medical malpractice firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

We offer free special reports on the Top 10 Tips from a Medical Malpractice Insider and the top five surgical errors you must know about. 

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential injury case consultation, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call.