Medical Malpractice - Burnett & Williams

Compassionate Representation

For Patients and Families Across Virginia

When you place your trust in a doctor, hospital, or healthcare provider, you expect to receive competent medical care. Unfortunately, preventable medical errors can have life-changing consequences. Whether the result is a delayed diagnosis, surgical mistake, medication error, or birth injury, victims of medical malpractice often face significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges.

At Burnett & Williams, our Virginia medical malpractice attorneys have been helping injured patients and their families for more than three decades. With offices in Leesburg, Midlothian, Orange, Winchester, Culpeper, Hopewell, and Richmond, we are one of Virginia’s oldest and most respected Personal Injury Law Firms. We proudly represent clients throughout the Commonwealth with compassion, experience, and dedication.

"Medical malpractice cases require careful investigation, attention to detail, and a thorough understanding of both medicine and the law. Our goal is to help clients find answers and hold negligent healthcare providers accountable."

Jonathan Slater Attorney, Burnett & Williams

Common Medical Malpractice Claims

Medical negligence can occur in virtually any healthcare setting. Some of the most common medical malpractice claims include:

Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis

Surgical errors

Medication and prescription mistakes

Birth injuries affecting mother or child

Emergency room negligence

Anesthesia errors

Hospital negligence

Failure to diagnose cancer or other serious illnesses

Failure to properly monitor a patient

Nursing negligence

Virginia Medical Malpractice Law

What Is Medical Malpractice in Virginia?

Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider fails to meet the accepted standard of care and that failure causes injury or death. A poor result alone does not necessarily mean malpractice occurred.

A healthcare provider owed the patient a duty of care.
The provider failed to meet the accepted medical standard of care.
That failure directly caused the patient’s injury.
The patient suffered measurable damages.

Why these cases are different: qualified medical experts are often needed to evaluate records and determine whether the standard of care was violated.

Who May Be Held Responsible?

Responsibility depends on the facts. Claims can involve an individual provider, a hospital or facility, or multiple parties. Reviewing medical records and consulting independent experts is often central to determining fault.

Physicians & Surgeons

Hospitals & ER Staff

Nurses & Care Teams

Radiology, Anesthesia & Pharmacy

Long-Term Care & Other Providers

Potential Recovery

Damages Available in Virginia Medical Malpractice Cases

A successful claim may allow injured patients or their families to seek compensation for losses such as:

Past and future medical expenses
Lost wages
Reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Permanent disability or disfigurement
Rehabilitation and ongoing care
Emotional distress
Loss of quality of life
Wrongful death damages

Every case is unique, and the damages available depend on the specific facts surrounding the injury.

Important Virginia Requirements

Medical Malpractice Claims Are Time-Sensitive

Virginia law includes special deadlines and procedural requirements. Because exceptions can apply and medical records may take time to review, early consultation can be important.

2 Years

In general, injured patients have two years from the date of malpractice to file suit, although exceptions may apply.

Expert Support

Medical malpractice claims typically require qualified expert support regarding the applicable standard of care.

Why Burnett & Williams?

More than 35 years of experience representing injured Virginians.
Extensive experience handling complex medical negligence claims.
Access to respected medical experts and specialists.
Personalized guidance throughout every stage of your case.
Seven convenient offices serving clients across Virginia.

We understand that medical malpractice cases are about more than financial recovery. They are about accountability, helping families move forward, and improving patient safety by holding negligent providers responsible for preventable mistakes.

Free Consultation With a Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured because of a medical error, delayed diagnosis, surgical mistake, or other form of medical negligence, Burnett & Williams is here to help.

We handle medical malpractice cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.