How Long Do You Have to File a Medical Malpractice Claim in Virginia?
Although some instances of medical malpractice are immediately obvious, not all of them are. For example, many patients who were harmed because of a negligent doctor or surgeon may think that their poor outcomes are simply down to bad luck or their conditions being worse than they initially believed.
In fact, many providers support this belief. That can mean victims go months or even years without realizing they were harmed by medical malpractice. Unfortunately, that can also mean that some victims are unable to pursue compensation via medical malpractice cases due to the state’s two-year statute of limitations on these claims.
However, while the law states that the statute of limitations begins when the malpractice-related injury or illness occurred, the clock may not start until it is discovered or diagnosed. That means that if a patient is told for months or even years that their health problems are expected or due to something else instead of malpractice, they may still be eligible to file a claim even if the malpractice occurred more than two years prior.
Unfortunately, healthcare facilities, hospitals, and insurers don’t always see it that way. They may tell patients that they can’t sue because the statute of limitations has expired, or they may simply deny that malpractice occurred in the first place. Their uncooperativeness can make it difficult for victims to get the compensation they need during such a difficult time.
At Skolrood Law Firm, our Roanoke medical malpractice lawyers can help you or your loved one get the money you need after a healthcare provider’s negligence harmed you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Don’t Be Afraid to File a Medical Malpractice Claim Against Your Doctor
Many people have close relationships with their doctors. It’s common for people to find a doctor they like and stick with them for many years or even decades. But your relationship with your doctor is only as good as the care they provide you. If your doctor harms you because they were negligent, you should pursue a medical malpractice claim against them.
There are two important reasons for doing so:
- First, filing a medical malpractice claim means getting much-needed compensation for incoming medical bills and lost wages. Many people who are injured by medical malpractice need extra medical care, and they often have to pay for it out of pocket. They also may be too hurt to work, which means no paychecks. Medical malpractice claims can compensate victims for both.
- Second, filing a medical malpractice claim can serve as a “wakeup call” for your doctor without directly impacting his or her career. Medical malpractice claims aren’t vindictive or rare. In fact, most doctors are sued for medical malpractice at least once in their careers. That’s why medical malpractice insurance is a requirement for many doctors. Even if they are proven to have committed malpractice, doctors rarely pay out of pocket or lose their licenses.
At Skolrood Law Firm, our Roanoke medical malpractice lawyers know how complex medical malpractice claims can be both legally and emotionally. It’s not easy to point your finger at your doctor and accuse them of seriously harming you. But if you don’t speak up, you’ll be left fronting the bill for your added medical costs all by yourself.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Hospitals and Doctors Are Good at Denying That Medical Malpractice Occurred
Medical malpractice can be very difficult to prove. Because medicine is such an inexact science, and because bad outcomes can happen after any treatment, it’s easy for hospitals and doctors to deny responsibility when patients get worse or even die.
And when victims are sick or their loved ones are grieving their passing, trying to understand what happened and prove negligence was a factor can be almost impossible. That gives negligent medical providers and facilities a big upper hand when it comes to avoiding liability and paying out big settlements.
If you suspect that you or someone you love was the victim of medical malpractice, it’s important to get an experienced Roanoke medical malpractice lawyer on your side as soon as possible. At Skolrood Law Firm, we know how difficult these claims are to prove and win. But we don’t back down from the challenge.
Our experience means that we can review medical records, injuries, and illnesses to determine how and when our clients’ health suffered as a result of negligent medical care. Then, we’ll determine exactly how and where the negligence occurred and whether it was a result of a single act or even an entire culture of negligence on behalf of a hospital or clinic.
Don’t be a victim twice by paying out of pocket for medical expenses and pain and suffering that were caused by a preventable injury or illness. Contact us today for a free consultation.
