Causation is often the hardest element in medical malpractice to prove. Establishing causation requires showing that a healthcare provider’s mistake directly caused a patient’s injury. Medical records, expert testimony, and scientific studies are often necessary to prove this link.
Defense lawyers often argue that underlying conditions or other factors caused the injury or that it would have happened regardless of the provider’s mistake. Medical malpractice cases can fail without solid proof, even if negligence occurred. If you have suffered harm due to a healthcare provider’s negligence in Virginia, an experienced medical malpractice lawyer can gather strong evidence to support your claim.
What Is Causation?
In a medical malpractice case, causation refers to the link between a healthcare professional’s mistake and a patient’s injury. The law recognizes two kinds of causation:
Actual cause or “cause in fact” exists when a medical provider’s actions directly lead to harm. The patient must show that the injury would not have happened without the provider’s mistake to prove actual cause.
Proximate cause exists only if the harm was a foreseeable result of the provider’s actions. Even if a provider’s mistake contributed to the injury, the law might not hold them responsible if the harm was too remote or unpredictable. You must show that the injury was a natural and predictable result of the provider’s actions to establish proximate cause.
What Is Needed to Prove Causation?
Injured patients must present clear evidence linking a healthcare provider’s actions to the harm they suffered to prove causation in a Virginia medical malpractice case. For instance, a patient could present medical records to show their condition before and after the provider’s actions. Expert testimony can explain how the provider’s mistake caused the injury. Scientific studies can also support the argument that the provider’s actions likely led to harm.
Virginia law requires proof that the provider’s mistake was the direct cause of the injury. Patients must show that the harm would not have happened without the provider’s actions and that the outcome was foreseeable. A malpractice lawyer can gather compelling evidence to demonstrate causation.
What Makes Proving Causation So Difficult?
Proving causation in a medical malpractice lawsuit is challenging because healthcare involves many complex factors. Patients often have existing conditions, and providers might argue that these conditions, not their actions, caused harm. Even if a provider makes a mistake, proving that the mistake directly led to the injury can be difficult.
This is why medical malpractice cases rely so heavily on expert testimony. Experts must explain how the provider’s actions caused harm and why the outcome could have been different without the mistake. However, defense lawyers might present conflicting opinions from other experts, making it harder to establish a clear connection.
Additionally, Virginia law requires strong evidence to prove causation. A court will not accept speculation or assumptions. Cases are unlikely to succeed without detailed medical records and expert analysis.
What Are the Other Elements in a Medical Malpractice Case?
Medical malpractice cases require proof of several legal elements. In addition to causation, patients must establish duty of care, breach of duty, and damages.
- Duty of care — A duty of care exists when a healthcare provider is legally obligated to treat a patient according to accepted medical standards, such as in a doctor-patient relationship. This relationship typically forms when a provider agrees to diagnose or treat a patient.
- Breach of duty — A breach of duty, or dereliction of duty, occurs when a provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care. This might involve a misdiagnosis, surgical error, medication mistake, or another act of medical negligence.
- Damages — Damages result when a patient suffers harm because of a provider’s actions. Damages can include physical injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. A patient cannot recover compensation without proof of damages, even if negligence occurred.
Who Has the Burden of Proof in a Medical Malpractice Case?
The patient bringing the medical malpractice claim has the burden of proof. This means the patient must present enough evidence to show that the doctor’s negligence caused their injury.
To meet this burden, the patient must provide evidence like medical records and expert testimony. Expert witnesses can explain how a provider’s actions fell below the accepted standard of care and how that negligence caused harm. Most medical malpractice cases cannot proceed without expert testimony.
Notably, the defense does not have to prove that the provider acted properly. Instead, the patient is the one responsible for presenting strong enough evidence to convince the court.
Do All Medical Malpractice Cases Go to Trial?
Most medical malpractice cases do not go to trial. The vast majority settle before reaching a courtroom. Settlements allow both sides to avoid the costs, risks, and delays of litigation. If both parties agree on compensation, the case ends without a trial.
Some cases do go to trial, especially if the patient and provider strongly disagree about liability or damages. If a case proceeds to court, both sides must present evidence, call witnesses, and argue their positions. This is where proving all four elements, including causation, is critical. A judge or jury then decides the outcome.
Even if a case starts with a lawsuit, settlement discussions often continue throughout the legal process and can be resolved before the court reaches a verdict.
If you have strong proof establishing that the healthcare provider’s negligence caused your injuries, their insurance company may be more willing to settle. A lawyer can work to build a solid claim proving medical malpractice from the start, aggressively negotiate for a settlement, and represent you in court if needed. They can also help you assess whether settling or going to trial is the best option based on the facts of the case.
Contact a Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawyer
If you believe a healthcare provider’s mistake caused your injury, contact Marks & Harrison today. Our Virginia medical malpractice attorneys have been representing injured patients since 1911, giving us the experience, reputation, and resources needed to take on the toughest claims. With a highly skilled team of 30 personal injury attorneys and over 100 staff members, we have won some of the most significant cases in Virginia history. Plus, our happy clients rave about our dedicated service and compassionate legal representation.
We offer free consultations, so you can get the answers you need at no cost. Our legal team can review your case, address your concerns, and help you explore your legal options.
