Top Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Petersburg and Richmond, VA

Every year over 440,000 people die as a result of preventable medical errors, or medical malpractice. Medical malpractice, also known as medical negligence, occurs when a medical professional breaches the standard of care (fails to do what a reasonable and prudent physician/professional would have done in the same or similar circumstances), causing patient injury or death.

For over 30 years, the medical malpractice lawyers in Petersburg, Virginia at Cuthbert Law Offices have successfully represented patients injured due to medical malpractice. Cuthbert Law Offices works closely with registered nurses to screen new cases for negligence. After the initial screening, if we pursue the case, we hire expert physicians to assist us in preparing your case for trial.

With offices in both Petersburg, Virginia and Richmond, Virginia, we are very close to many major medical facilities and have successfully handled dozens of medical malpractice cases arising out of each of the following facilities and others:

• The hospital known as Southside Regional Medical Center (also known as SRMC). 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.
• We have settled or obtained verdicts on behalf of our clients on account of medical malpractice at Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center (also known as VCU Hospital, MCV Hospital, or VCU/MCV Hospital).
• CJW Medical Center (also known as Chippenham-Johnston Willis Hospital)
• Richmond Community Hospital
• Kenner Army Hospital at Ft. Lee (also known as Kenner Army Clinic)
• Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
• Community Memorial Healthcenter in South Hill, Virginia

Understanding the Medical Malpractice Statute of Limitations in Virginia

In Virginia, generally all medical malpractice actions must be brought to court within two years from the date the cause of action occurred (although there are exceptions that can extend the statute of limitations — for example, in cases that involve children). Malpractice law suits are often complex and costly to win. If you believe you have a medical malpractice claim with substantial, permanent damages, contact our medical malpractice lawyers now so that we may help you decide whether and how best to pursue your claim.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice Cases in Virginia

Although there are numerous types of malpractice claims, here are some of the most common:

• Birth defects or birth trauma injuries
• Misdiagnosis (error in diagnosis)
• Failure to make a timely diagnosis (see an example case regarding septic shock)
• Failure to order appropriate diagnostic tests
• Pharmaceutical errors
• Error in reading an MRI, CAT scan, X-ray, or the like
• Failure of physicians to communicate quickly and accurately
• Failure to diagnose a heart attack (myocardial infarction)
• Delay in responding to the signs of a stroke
• Errors of all types made in the Emergency Room
• Errors in surgical technique (for example, gall bladder surgery, botched sinus surgery, or bad hip replacements)
• Failure to respond appropriately to post-surgical problems (for example, following a kidney transplant, a urine leak at the point where a ureter connects to the bladder)
• Failure to detect known side effects of prescription medications

But time is not on your side. You do not want medical records to be “doctored”. You do not want the defendant’s insurance investigator to talk to key witnesses before we do. You do not want important facts to disappear.

So, if you or a loved one has been seriously hurt as a result of medical malpractice, contact Cuthbert Law Offices as soon as possible. Our firm is on call by phone for emergencies 24 hours a day. If you call after hours, tell the answering service that you must talk with an attorney on an emergency basis about a death or serious injury due to medical malpractice. We are here to help.

Steps in the Medical Malpractice Case Process

A medical malpractice lawsuit typically takes between 12-24 months from start to finish, but can be extended by a variety of factors. Here are steps to preparing for and resolving your case:

1. Make sure you file as soon as you can. Most lawsuits must be brought within two years of injury.
2. Obtain medical records and hire a medical malpractice lawyer to perform the research required to establish causality (to prove that the negligence caused the harm at issue). Depending on what is found during this research or ‘discovery’ process, your lawyer may be able to help you reach an out-of-court settlement instead of going to trial. This process can take six months to a year.
3. Locate expert medical witnesses.
4. Settle or go to trial.
5. If the lawsuit is a success, you will collect your money in a lump-sum or structured payments.
6. Pay attorney fees and legal expenses. These are only paid if you have been successful in your case and have collected money yourself.