Medical Malpractice Attorney Arlington VA

Working to Hold Negligent Medical Professionals & Facilities Accountable

Doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists, urgent care centers, hospitals, and other medical practitioners and facilities have a duty to provide a reasonable standard of care to patients. Unfortunately, this duty is not always upheld. According to an expansive 2016 study on medical errors by Johns Hopkins Hospital, an estimated 250,000 deaths occur in the United States every year as a result of medical mistakes. This makes medical malpractice/negligence the third-leading cause of death in the U.S.

If you or your loved one was the victim of medical malpractice, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, additional required treatment, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and other damages. These types of claims are incredibly complex; it is important that you speak to an experienced attorney who can help you navigate the process.

Reach out to the Law Offices of Ryan Quinn, PLLC at (703) 647-4113 for a free consultation with our medical malpractice attorney in Arlington, VA.

Proving Liability in Medical Malpractice Cases

It can be very difficult to prove that a medical practitioner, hospital, or facility acted negligently. Just because a patient does not experience the desired outcome following treatment does not mean that the duty of reasonable care was breached. For a successful case, you will need to show that the standard of care was violated and that this violation led to your injuries/the death of your loved one. In most cases, this requires the assistance of medical experts.

Examples of Medical Malpractice

Some of the most common forms of medical malpractice include:

• Misdiagnosis
• Delayed diagnosis
• Failure to diagnose
• Failure to treat
• Incorrect medication dosage
• Defective medical devices
• Dangerous drugs
• Birth injuries
• Surgical errors
• Prescription errors
• Anesthesia mistakes

Overall, medical malpractice cases make up a relatively small portion of all personal injury litigation. These cases are complex—but they are not hopeless. If you believe you or your loved one suffered injuries, illness, complications, or harm as a result of medical malpractice or negligence, our firm can help.

Medical Negligence vs. Malpractice: Is There a Difference?

The terms medical malpractice and medical negligence are often used interchangeably to refer to the same thing: being harmed as a result of a medical professional’s carelessness. In a practical sense, they are the same. There is, however, a very slight difference between these two terms.

Negligence is a general term that describes conduct lacking in due care, carelessness, or a manner that violates the standard of care that a reasonable person would be expected to use under similar circumstances. Anyone, including non-medical persons, can be found liable for negligence.

Medical malpractice takes this concept further and takes into account the standard of care as well as the professional status of the caregiver. Medical malpractice occurs when a doctor, surgeon, psychiatrist, dentist, or other medical professional violates the standard of care as dictated by their profession, causing injury to a patient. Different states define the standard of care in slightly different ways, but the medical “standard of care” usually refers to the degree of care and skill of the average health care provider who practices in the provider’s specialty, taking into account the medical knowledge that is available in the field.

Only professionals can be found liable for malpractice. While more specific than negligence, malpractice cases are often still based on the laws of negligence.

How Much is Your Medical Malpractice Case Worth?

The value of your medical malpractice case will be influenced by a wide range of factors, including:

• The severity and long-term effects of your injuries
• The extent of further care you need to recover
• The cost of your required medical care, both present and future
• Your level of pain and suffering
• The amount of wages and other income you have lost due to your injuries
• The effect of your injuries on your future earning capacity
• Whether your case is settled out of court or through trial

Since every case is unique, answering the question ‘What is my case worth?’ can be very difficult to answer. It is best to consult with a skilled attorney to get a more accurate representation of your eligible financial award and determine the most appropriate course of action.

Discuss Your Case with Our Legal Team

It is important that you act quickly as, in most cases, you only have two years from the date that medical malpractice occurred to bring a claim. There are certain exceptions to this statute of limitations, including instances involving a failure to diagnose certain forms of cancer or malignant tumors, but these are relatively rare. Additionally, in Virginia, no medical malpractice claim may be filed if more than 10 years have passed since the date that the medical negligence occurred.

In addition to the statute of limitations and statute of repose, it is important that you are aware that you may be subject to certain caps on damages in your medical malpractice case. Our Arlington medical malpractice lawyer can help you understand your rights and answer any questions you may have. We are prepared to serve as the aggressive advocate you need as we work to recover the maximum compensation you are owed.

Contact us online or call (703) 647-4113 for a complimentary, confidential case evaluation.