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Surgical Errors, Nursing Home Negligence, Medical Malpractice Lawyers VA NC SC WV

In 1999, the Institute of Medicine released a report which claimed that some 44,000 people die each year because of medical errors. This frightening statistic was more recently doubled by the National Academy of Sciences, who increased that estimate to approximately 98,000 medical malpractice deaths each year.

 

Virginia seems to be a state that faces more danger than others. In 2004, only 57 doctors faced disciplinary action from the Virginia Medical Board for medical errors. While these numbers might give you the idea that Virginia’s doctors are doing almost error-free work, these numbers are more of a reflection of the low level of monitoring by the Virginia Medical Board. In a 2003 Norfolk Virginian-Pilot article, reporter Liz Szabo illustrated how these low standards and lack of enforcement by the Board have led to doctors still being allowed to practice even after showing repeated signs of incompetence. In fact, lawsuits against bad doctors are probably the best method in Virginia for exposing deficient physicians and hospital care that is inadequate.

With increasingly complex forms of surgical and operative procedures being introduced into the medical field, it is imperative that Virginia’s doctors have the necessary training and skill to perform their duties. It is also necessary to have a regulatory agency that provides strict oversight and demands accountability. Until the Virginia Medical Board raises its standards of enforcement, episodes of medical malpractice in Virginia can be expected to increase.

The real tragedy of this lack of enforcement is that it tarnishes the profession, and makes the jobs of professional and competent doctors that much harder. Through our experience in protecting the rights of victims of medical errors, the Law Firm of Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis and Appleton has consulted with some of the foremost medical experts in Virginia and outside Virginia. We know what is required forensically to prove medical negligence. We know the difference between an unforeseen complication/bad result and an episode of incompetence or sheer negligence, and we will put all of our considerable skill and experience towards protecting the victims of violations of medical standards.

Virginia has one of the most restrictive medical malpractice “caps” on damages. The law provides some inflationary increases in the “cap” in intervals of years. North Carolina does not have a “cap” as of 2006. West Virginia does have special statutes relating to medical malpractice as well. Essentially, each state has its own set of pertinent statutes that must be analyzed.

Given the complexity of medical negligence cases, victims must carefully select lawyers who have a real track record with medical negligence cases, and our firm has just that experience. Please contact us to analyze your potential claim.


Library for Surgical Errors, Nursing Home Negligence, Medical Malpractice Lawyers VA NC SC WV:

  • Michael Jackson's death could be related to medical malpractice   
    Description: Medical malpractice caused Michael Jackson's death. Overdose of pain medicine and anesthesia drugs could have led to cardiac arrest.
  • The “Rules” Help Medical Malpractice Lawyers Win Complex Lawsuits   
    Description: As a Plaintiff’s personal injury lawyer practicing in Virginia (VA), North Carolina (NC) and West Virginia (WV), I am always trying to continue my education in the best ways to win compensation for my clients who are hurt by mistakes made by doctors and hospitals.
  • Most Common Surgical Errors in Virginia   
    Description: A doctor operates on the wrong knee. A surgeon leaves behind a medical clamp in your abdominal cavity. An anesthesiologist over-sedates his patient. These are just a few examples of common surgical errors in Virginia.
  • Medical Malpractice Regarding Failure to Diagnose Breast Cancer   
    Description: As a practicing personal injury attorney of 20 years, I know firsthand that our Virginia Beach law firm receives calls regarding misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose breast cancer. When dealing with breast cancer, it is critical that doctors catch these developing lesions early. Unfortunately, when doctors fail to diagnose aggressive breast cancer, it can then spread rapidly to surrounding areas such as the lymph nodes or it can metastasize to other areas of the body, thereby reducing the patient’s chances of survival. Many times this occurs when the radiologist reading the film or digital mammogram misses key indicators of cancer.
  • Overmedication & Nursing Home Abuse   
    Description: Overmedication is one of the more subtle forms of nursing home abuse - and can even be used on the elderly to hide other more common forms of abuse such as nursing home physical abuse, nursing home sexual abuse, and nursing home financial abuse.
  • Amputee Musician Strikes A Chord For Justice In Win Against Drug Company   
    Description: Injury lawyers across the nation, including Virginia, rejoiced when the Supreme Court of the United States announced the win on appeal by a Vermont woman who lost her arm because a drug manufacturer had failed to properly label and warn about a particular medication. A doctor in Vermont mistakenly used an IV push method to administer a drug called Phenergan for this lady’s nausea and by pushing the medication into an artery rather than a vein caused the tissue in her arm to die leaving her an amputee.
  • Anesthesia Errors and Anesthesia Medical Malpractice   
    Description: Anesthesia errors are one of the most common types of medical malpractice -- and they can have dire and even deadly consequences. When putting a patient under general anesthesia, there is plenty of room for mistakes -- are you familiar with the potential dangers of anesthesia?
  • Common Birth Injuries: Cerebral Palsy, Erb’s Palsy and Brain Damage   
    Description: The birth of a child is a blessing and a joy - but a negligent doctor or hospital could change the life of your newborn baby forever. During labor, doctors and nurses can make mistakes resulting in permanent birth injuries and even death.
  • Va. Medical Malpractice remains ignored. Dangerous doctors still practicing   
    Description: Patients must be careful. Virginia doctors can continue to practice for years despite disciplinary action.
  • Misdiagnosis in the Hospital Emergency Room   
    Description: In our Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) law firm we get a lot of calls about medical malpractice claims that arise from a doctor’s misdiagnosis of a serious medical condition. Misdiagnosis is where the physician doesn’t realize that the patient has a particular medical problem and sends them home with the wrong diagnosis and the wrong treatment plan.
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Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton, P.C.
1294 Diamond Springs Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757) 460-7776
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