If a medical error has resulted in an injury, you should learn everything you can about your rights and Virginia medical malpractice laws. Many victims are under the impression that a medical malpractice lawsuit equates to an open checkbook. That’s not the case. There are damage caps regarding medical malpractice cases.
Referring to Compensation
If you have been injured by the negligence of a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional, you may be entitled to compensation. Compensation that a victim seeks in court is known as damages.
Types of Damages
Under Virginia malpractice laws, a victim can go after three different types of damages. They include:
- Compensatory damages. Compensatory damages refer to the injured patient’s actual costs. They can include current and future medical bills, as well as income and wages lost due to missed time at work.
- Non-economic damages. This is compensation for intangible costs. Pain and suffering would be considered non-economic damages.
- Punitive damages. Punitive damages are designed to punish the medical provider for their negligence. However, it must be proven that the medical provider’s recklessness involved one of several factors, such as malice or fraud.
Medical Malpractice Monetary Caps
Virginia malpractice law places caps on damages that a victim may be awarded. The total amount that a victim may recover is $2 million. The total amount that a victim can recover for punitive damages is $350,000.
The List of Questions Is Endless
If you are a victim of a medical error, you may have an endless list of questions. That is why you should call our team at Tavss Fletcher. We have helped hundreds of medical malpractice victims recover damages for their injuries.
Virginia medical malpractice law is complex. We can help you navigate through the difficult process of holding the negligent parties responsible for your pain and suffering and lost wages.
Call one of our experienced Virginia medical malpractice attorneys at Tavss Fletcher if you have been injured at the hands of a medical provider or have questions regarding your medical malpractice case. Contact us at (757) 625-1214. We can help you determine your next step.