Norfolk Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Nurses, pharmacists, internal physicians, and surgeons, while highly skilled professionals, are human beings like the rest of us: they make mistakes. Though in the medical field, mistakes can have a devastating impact.

What happens when a doctor is negligent in diagnosing a disease or operating on the wrong body part? Unfortunately, you may be a victim of medical malpractice, which is not uncommon at hospitals in Norfolk and other parts of Hampton Roads, Virginia.

As an experienced Norfolk medical malpractice lawyer, I can help you build a strong case against the negligent healthcare professional and seek damages. Call me, Ed Atkinson, your trusted Norfolk personal injury lawyer, to discuss how to proceed with your claim.

Do You Have a Valid Medical Malpractice Case in Norfolk?

Generally, to have a valid case, you must prove that a healthcare provider acted negligently and their negligence resulted in harm or injury to you.

Your healthcare providers failed to meet the expected standard of care, leading to harm or injury to you or your loved one.

To determine if you have a valid medical malpractice case in Norfolk, consider the following factors:

• Establishing a doctor-patient relationship: A valid medical malpractice case requires an established relationship with the healthcare provider, ensuring they owe you a duty of care.
• Breach of the standard of care: You must demonstrate that the healthcare provider failed to meet the expected standard of care, meaning their actions deviated from what a competent professional in the same field would have done under similar circumstances.
• Causation: It is crucial to prove a direct link between the healthcare provider’s negligence and your injury. This often necessitates expert testimony to establish that the provider’s breach of the standard of care was the direct cause of your injury.
• Damages: To have a valid case, you must show that you suffered actual harm or injury due to the healthcare provider’s negligence.

If you believe you have a medical malpractice case, I recommend you consult with an experienced attorney like me who can guide you through the complexities of these claims and ensure your rights are protected. However, if you are unsure about your case’s validity, contact me for a free consultation.

Also, I understand that many of my clients are in a vulnerable position and, in more severe cases, may be bedridden. I strive to accommodate all my clients and am always willing to travel to you at your hospital, home, or any other location.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice in Norfolk

As I mentioned, healthcare providers are responsible for upholding a standard of care that meets or exceeds accepted medical practices; when they fail, patients may suffer.

While the causes of medical malpractice can vary, they often happen due to a failure to follow proper protocols, inadequate training or supervision, or a disregard for patient safety.

Common medical malpractice injuries can arise from incidents such as:

• Drugs that are dangerous or lethal when prescribed in combination with other medications
• Inflicting or failing to prevent harm during delivery, leading to birth injuries
• Failure to properly diagnose an apparent illness or condition
• Surgical errors and omissions
• Nursing care negligence
• Anesthesia errors
• Emergency room negligence and failure to properly monitor your condition
• Kidney dialysis malpractice

It is important to note that not all negative outcomes from medical treatment necessarily constitute malpractice. There is often an inherent risk involved in medical procedures, and complications can arise even when healthcare providers follow the appropriate standard of care.

In such cases, it may be difficult to establish negligence. As a medical malpractice injury attorney in Norfolk, I will reveal the truth about the circumstances that led to your condition.

To do this, I pay close attention to my clients to better meet their individual needs and craft effective legal solutions for the best possible outcome. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, I focus on the unique details of every case I manage.

Available Compensation for Medical Malpractice Victims in Norfolk

If you were harmed by medical negligence, you might experience physical, emotional, and financial hardships. You may also require additional medical care or rehabilitation to address the injuries caused by your negligent healthcare practitioner. However, you can take legal action to recover your losses.

You could be entitled to receive the following damages:

• Present and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Lost quality of life

Victims may also experience psychological symptoms (like anxiety and depression), particularly if the malpractice resulted in a significant loss or disability.

The psychological impact is often overlooked and difficult to prove due to the subjective nature of these experiences. However, I will analyze medical records, consult with experts, and conduct a thorough investigation to outline the full spectrum of your losses.

Throughout the process, I will work closely with you, providing case updates as often as you’d like through calls, texts, or emails.

The Time Limit to File Your Medical Malpractice Case in Virginia

The Code of Virginia Section 8.01-243 sets a two-year deadline for most personal injury cases, including medical malpractice. If you fail to meet the statute, you may forfeit your right to recover compensation. However, by seeking legal guidance from my personal injury law firm as soon as possible, you can be sure all court deadlines are met.

It is also important to note that your time frame to file may be affected if:

• The victim was a minor when the injury occurred.
• Intentional misrepresentation or fraud was committed.

The exact deadline for your case depends on the circumstances surrounding your injury. As a Norfolk medical malpractice attorney with nearly 15 years of experience, I will help determine your filing period.

Hire an Experienced Norfolk Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyer for Your Injury or a Loved One’s Wrongful Death

While most personal injury and negligence cases settle out of court, medical malpractice cases often go to a jury trial. Furthermore, the insurance carriers for medical professionals and institutions and their attorneys are extremely aggressive in their defense strategy.

The same aggressive strategies apply to wrongful death cases. If you lost someone due to a medical error or negligence, seek legal guidance to ensure justice is served and the memory of your loved one is protected.

It is not unusual to receive no settlement offer, even if a lawsuit is filed. In this situation, you will thank yourself if you have already retained a skilled personal injury lawyer who can work the case from start to finish knowing that it will likely go to trial.

Call a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Norfolk, VA, Today

Medical negligence can result in significant financial burdens, including high medical bills, lost income, and ongoing care needs. Therefore, victims should seek the support of qualified professionals who can provide medical treatment, legal representation, and other specialized assistance in managing their recovery.

Atkinson Law is dedicated to helping victims of medical negligence rebuild their lives. As a Norfolk medical malpractice lawyer, I help victims claim compensation for their injuries and fight for justice. Together, we can hold medical providers accountable for their negligence and hope to prevent future harm.

Contact me today for a free consultation about your medical malpractice claim.