The Best Virginia (VA) Medical Malpractice Web Resource

Medical Malpractice/Doctor Mistakes

Nursing Home Abuse

If you've been hurt by the negligence of a doctor or surgeon and have questions for our personal injury attorneys:

First, review our frequently asked questions:

What is the "cap" on medical malpractice damages in Virginia?

What is the statute of limitations on a medical negligence claim in Virginia?

Second, read our consumer guides focused on medical malpractice and surgical errors:

(1) Top Ten Tips from an Experienced Medical Malpractice Lawyers

(2) Surgeries Gone Wrong: The Top 5 Surgical Errors and How Not to Become a Victim

Third, review the results we achieved in medical malpractice-related cases:

Retained Surgical Sponge and Subsequent Complications Awarded: $425,000.00

$2.3 Million Jury Verdict for Child Birth Injury Awarded: $2.3 Million

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

Failure to Diagnose/ER Doctor/vascular incident (aortic aneurysim) Awarded: $700,000.00

Misdiagnosis Results in $650,000.00 Settlement Awarded: $650,000.00

We've also handled multiple cut/nicked ureter/bowel cases. Here is an example - we settled a cut ureter injury case for $400,000.00

Fourth, review the types of medical malpractice:

Nursing home abuse/neglect - Examples include malnourishment, bruising, dramatic weight loss, dehydration, sudden injuries, etc.
Surgical errors/mistakes - Examples include anesthesia mistakes, improper sterilization, technical errors, nerve damage, unnecessary surgery, surgery on the wrong part of the body, foreign objects left in the body, and organ puncture.
Improper diagnosis and misdiagnosis - Examples include misread x-rays, misread test results, failure to order common diagnostic tests, and ignored or missed symptoms. Commonly missed diagnoses include heart attacks, cancer, hypertension, clogged arteries, and infections.
Negligent care - Examples include the improper use of restraints, the improper administration of medication or wrong medication, hospital abuse, or lack of sufficient staff.
Birth injury - These terrible injuries are due to hospital error and can lead to cerebral palsy, Erb's palsy, or brain damage. The mistake may be the obstetrician's, nurses' or other treater in the maternity ward, but the common feature of these claims is the permanent, catastrophic injury to the mother or baby.

As you can see, the complexity of medical negligence cases is extensive so victims should carefully select lawyers who have a real track record with medical negligence cases, and our law firm qualifies.

The National Academy of Sciences estimates there are approximately 98,000 medical malpractice deaths each year. Hearst Newspapers released a study indicating roughly 200,000 people die each year due to preventable medical mistakes. This loss of life is unacceptable and the doctors, nurses, and physicians who performed these medical errors need to be held accountable.

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. In a 2003 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.

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.

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