Hopewell Medical Malpractice Lawyer

Team of surgeons in the operating room.

Hopewell residents depend on local healthcare professionals to provide safe, effective medical care. Whether you’re at John Randolph Medical Center, going to a nearby clinic in the Tri-Cities area, or visiting a local primary care practice, you place your complete trust in the facility and its doctors and nurses when you receive care.

Unfortunately, medical errors can and do happen and can have life-altering consequences. The Hopewell medical malpractice lawyers at Marks & Harrison are dedicated to protecting the rights of medical error victims and fighting for the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to learn more in a free consultation.

What Should You Do If You Believe You Are a Victim of Medical Malpractice in Hopewell?

Acting quickly is essential if you suspect you’ve been injured due to a medical error. Here are some key steps to protect your health and strengthen your medical malpractice claim:

  • See another doctor – Prioritize your health and visit another doctor to address your concerns. You will also create official documentation connecting your injury to the medical error.
  • Gather records – Request copies of your medical records, prescriptions, test results, and discharge papers. These documents can create a timeline and help establish liability when you pursue your claim.
  • Write everything down – Keep a written account of what happened, including dates, names of providers, and details of your treatment. Memories fade quickly, and details are critical in medical malpractice claims.
  • Be cautious when speaking with insurers – Insurance companies may contact you asking questions and requesting recorded statements. You are not required to answer them or give any statements, and doing so may compromise your case.
  • Contact Marks & Harrison – An experienced medical negligence lawyer at our law firm can lead you through the complex process of pursuing your claim and help you avoid errors. Contact us as soon as possible.

How Can a Hopewell Medical Malpractice Attorney Help Me with My Case?

Working with an experienced Hopewell medical malpractice lawyer at Marks & Harrison can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Our attorneys can help you by:

  • Reviewing your case for free
  • Investigating and gathering evidence
  • Analyzing your medical records
  • Obtaining expert testimony
  • Building a timeline of negligence
  • Negotiating for a fair settlement
  • Representing you in court if necessary.

Our team has extensive experience standing up to big insurance companies and hospitals when they attempt to deflect blame and minimize payouts. We’ve recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for medical malpractice victims.

What Is Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care, and a patient suffers harm. The “standard of care” refers to the level and quality of treatment a reasonably skilled provider would have provided under the same or similar circumstances.

What Are the Different Types of Medical Malpractice?

Medical malpractice comes in many forms. Some of the most common examples include the following:

  • Surgical errors – Wrong-site surgeries, foreign objects left inside the body, or avoidable surgical complications
  • Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis – Failure to diagnose severe conditions like cancer, heart attack, or stroke
  • Medication errors – Prescribing the wrong drug, incorrect dosage, or failing to prevent dangerous medication interactions
  • Birth injuries – Negligent care during pregnancy, labor, or delivery that causes harm to the mother or child
  • Anesthesia mistakes – Administering too much anesthesia or failing to monitor patients properly while under anesthesia
  • Hospital negligence – Inadequate staffing, poor hygiene leading to infections, or improper discharge practices.

What Must You Prove in a Medical Malpractice Claim?

All successful medical malpractice claims in Virginia require you to prove the following:

  • A medical provider owed you a duty of care – First, you must establish that the provider had a responsibility to treat you at a standard consistent with the care a similarly trained and experienced professional would provide.
  • The medical provider made a mistake – You’ll need evidence that your doctor, nurse, or hospital did something wrong, or failed to do what a reasonably careful provider would have in the same situation.
  • The mistake caused your injury – You must also show that the error directly caused you harm. For example, a failure to diagnose cancer allowed the condition to progress.
  • The injury caused you harm – To recover the compensation you deserve, you must prove the financial losses and the physical and emotional damage that the medical error caused.

Many people believe the most challenging part of proving your medical malpractice claim is proving the connection between the mistake and your injury. Our medical negligence attorneys work with medical experts whose testimony can provide compelling evidence of that connection.

What Health Care Providers Can Be Held Liable for Medical Malpractice?

Any licensed medical provider who breaches the standard of care can potentially be held accountable, including:

  • Doctors
  • Nurses
  • Surgeons
  • Anesthesiologists
  • Pharmacists
  • Hospitals and clinics.

Our team will investigate the medical error to determine who might have caused it and then build a compelling case to hold any negligent parties accountable.

What Compensation Could You Receive in a Hopewell Medical Malpractice Case?

Compensation in Virginia medical malpractice cases may include the following:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life.

The compensation depends on your case’s circumstances, including the severity of your injuries and their impact on your daily life.

Does Virginia Place a Cap on Medical Malpractice Damage Awards?

Virginia law limits the amount of compensation available in medical malpractice cases. The maximum for injuries suffered on or after July 1, 2025, is currently $2.7 million, but the specific dollar limit changes yearly. For this reason, you should work with an experienced medical negligence attorney who knows how to maximize the value of your claim within our state’s legal restrictions.

Is There a Deadline for Filing a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit in Hopewell?

For most medical malpractice claims in Virginia, you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, if the malpractice was not immediately discoverable, you may have additional time to file. Acting swiftly and contacting an attorney as soon as possible is crucial for protecting your rights.

Get Help from an Experienced Medical Malpractice Attorney Serving Hopewell

If you believe you’ve been harmed by a medical error in Hopewell, Marks & Harrison can help. Our personal injury law firm has sought justice for injured Virginians and their families since 1911. We know what it takes to win and are ready to fight for you. Contact us today for your free consultation.