Why Work With First Truth Law?
Experience & Knowledge
With us, you have the benefit of an entire career devoted to helping people like you, people hurt by negligence, especially from medical malpractice. Let us handle what we know so you can focus on life’s priorities, and get back to them.
Honesty & Clarity
You have been thrown into an unfamiliar situation through no choice of your own. Clear communication and honest answers are a must. We work to build a relationship of trust and honesty from day one. If we can help, we will tell you. We will also tell you if we cannot, and why.
Strategic Representation
Perspective is important. For your case, this means we realize what is important and what is not. We focus on the right things and see their place in the bigger picture. It means we make decisions thoughtfully and purposefully, to help reach the best result.
Personalized Attention
No two situations are the same. We pay attention to what makes you different. We listen well to build genuine connections. This means understanding you on a deeper level, understanding your life, your reality, and your goals. Then we can tell your story and help optimize your recovery.
Empathy & Compassion
We show compassion, curiosity, and empathy. Our goals are to have genuine curiosity about people’s lives, to listen deeply, and for people to feel heard and understood.
Innovative Approach
We know the standard ways to solve problems, but capitalize on opportunities to try new and different solutions. Some of the most satisfying results come from creative and innovative problem-solving.
Committed to Our Clients
When we start working together, you can hand your worry over – from what to do, to when and how.
We figure out goals and talk about the best ways to get there. You will receive our best advice, always recognizing it is your life and your ultimate decision.
You will be informed, your questions will be answered, and we will help handle the worrying for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to some of the medical malpractice questions we’re most often asked.
How long does a malpractice case take?
Every medical malpractice case takes a different amount of time depending on many factors. In general, and especially right now, it is best to assume the case will take two to three years to complete. This is very dependent on the location where the trial will be held. Some courts have available trial dates much sooner than others. Because medical malpractice cases generally take multiple days, that also makes them harder to schedule and lengthens the overall time.
What are the most common types of malpractice claims?
The most common cause of medical malpractice claims is poor communication. This translates into several types of claims; failure to diagnose and misdiagnosis are very common. Also, poor communication between health care providers can also cause mistakes. This can result in errors during surgery, medication errors, and other errors for care that relies on healthy communication, like between nurses.
Unfortunately, birth injuries are also fairly common.
How much time do you have to file a malpractice claim?
In Virginia, you generally have two years from the date of malpractice to file a claim. This can be longer depending on the particular circumstances, but the general rule is two years.
What is my medical malpractice case worth?
There are many factors that go into determining an appropriate case value. It is very rare to have enough information early in a case to be able to determine the true value. It is understandable that people want to know the value of their case, but it is also important to only answer that question when we can provide a meaningful answer.
What Can I Recover?
Every medical malpractice case is different, but in general, a patient injured by medical malpractice can recover compensation for their damages, including:
Physical injuries & their effects
Past & future physical pain
Mental suffering
Medical expenses
Future lost income
Physical disfigurement & deformity
Humiliation & embarrassment
Inconvenience
Lost income
Loss of future earning capacity
Our Process
There are three basic phases of a medical malpractice case – investigation, discovery, and trial.
From time to time, we need information from you, but we do the heavy lifting and try to minimize the burden on you as much as possible at each step.
Each case is different, but each phase has a usual timeframe. They are just estimates though because there are many variables that affect how quickly a case moves through the process.
For instance, you may still be recovering from your injuries and receiving important treatment. Also, sometimes hospitals and doctors’ offices don’t provide records on time. The court’s schedule can also be very full, which means the trial date will be farther away.
On the other hand, there are times when cases resolve more quickly. Defendants may recognize their mistakes or take the claims seriously and be willing to settle.
It is best to prepare as though your case will go all the way through trial.
1. Investigation
3-9 months
This is when we dive into the details.
We figure out whether we can help, how likely we are to be successful, and the kinds of evidence, including experts, that are necessary. At the end of the investigation, we tell you what we found and what we recommend.
If we recommend moving forward, we file your case, which triggers the next step.
2. Discovery
12-24 months
During discovery, we exchange information with the defendants.
This includes exchanging written information, witnesses, and evidence. Evidence includes both physical and digital material.
Discovery also includes sworn testimony, called depositions. This gives us a chance to question the defendant and gives the defendant’s attorney a chance to ask you questions. It is the only time we speak directly to the defendant until trial.
Once discovery is complete, the next step is trial.
3. Trial
3-10 days
At trial, both sides present evidence and make arguments for their positions.
Generally, you will need to be present for the entire trial.
The length of the trial will depend on things like the complexity of the issues, the number of witnesses, and the amount of evidence.