Medical malpractice

Every year nearly 100,000 patients die from medical malpractice. For 30 years, Cuthbert Law Offices has successfully represented patients injured because of medical malpractice, and invites your inquiry regarding such claims.  Please see Panel 3 as well as the decision in the case of Pulliam v. Coastal Emergency Services of Richmond, Inc.

Examples of medical malpractice include failure to diagnose, misdiagnosis, birth trauma injuries, botched sinus surgery and other surgical mistakes, nursing home negligence, and wrongly filled prescriptions or prescription error. Cuthbert Law Offices works closely with registered nurses to screen new cases for merit. After the initial screening, we make available well-credentialed physicians in numerous specialty fields who are willing to testify for the plaintiff in cases they deem meritorious.

Because our Petersburg, Va. office is very near the hospital known as Southside Regional Medical Center, our firm has successfully handled more than 10 medical malpractice cases arising out of that facility. Those cases have included wrongful death claims involving allegations of failure to diagnose acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), failure to diagnose group A beta hemolytic streptococcus, and botched gall bladder surgery.  In addition, we have settled or obtained verdicts on behalf of our clients on account of medical malpractice at Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia Hospital (VCU Hospital, also known as MCV Hospital or VCU/MCV Hospital), Chippenham Hospital, and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Although thousands of medical malpractice errors cause serious injury in this country annually, many medical professionals and non-professionals refuse to admit their wrongdoing. Or the insurance companies that represent the medical professionals will choose to fight the victim rather than to do what is just to help the victim or the victim’s family recover or to be compensated for their losses.

Virginia law limits the amount of money that can be recovered on account of medical malpractice. For claims arising out of acts or omissions prior to August 1, 1999, the damage cap is $1 million. For acts or omissions on or after August 1, 1999, and before July 1, 2000, the cap is $1.5 million. Thereafter, the cap increases by $50,000 every July 1. Two final increases of $75,000 beginning in 2007 will bring the damage cap to $2 million for acts or omissions on or after July 1, 2008.

In Virginia, in general all medical malpractice actions must be brought within two years from the date the cause of action accrued. Malpractice suits are often complex and costly to win. If you believe you have a medical malpractice claim, it is important to consult with an attorney who can help you determine whether your claim is worth pursuing.

Some of the most common ways that medical malpractice occurs is through failure or errors in timely diagnosis and ordering appropriate treatment, ordering necessary tests and proper medication, consulting with specialists, and surgical procedures. Although there are numerous types of malpractice claims, here are the most common:

• Birth defects or injuries
• Hospital, physician, and nursing negligence
• Misdiagnosis
• Nursing home injuries and elder abuse
• Pharmaceutical errors

At Cuthbert Law Offices, we strive to determine as quickly and efficiently as possible whether there is a good, actionable case. This is so because medical malpractice cases are by their very nature complex and expensive to pursue and have a high risk of no recovery.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a health care provider’s medical negligence, contact Cuthbert Law Offices. We welcome inquiries from the public involving medical malpractice claims resulting in serious injury or death, and are also available to be associated with attorneys handling such claims. Contact us online today or call us at (804) 733-3100 (Petersburg) or (804) 643-3100 (Richmond).