Health

Good health and safety often depend on accountability. Our health coverage explores how legal issues intersect with medical care, hospital safety, and patient rights in Virginia. We examine medical malpractice, misdiagnosis, unsafe facilities, and healthcare policy changes that affect patients. We also cover public health and community wellness topics.

Significant Medical Malpractice Risks Associated With Gastric Bypass Surgery

The summer sun is almost upon the North Carolina and Virginia coast and so is bathing suit season. Many of those battling with obesity and trying to get slimmer have also opted for gastric bypass…

By Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

/ 19 Mar 2009

One Bad Doctor Can Ruin a Medical Practice

I have been an injury lawyer and resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) for over 25 years. During that time, my family, including my two daughters, and I have been treated by some great doctors…

By Jim Lewis

/ 5 Mar 2009

Nanotubes In High Tech Computer Components May Pose Similar Cancer Risks As Asbestos According to a Major New Study

The Washington Post reported on a British study, in late May, 2008 that new microscopic nanotubes that are being made for a wide variety of consumer products can cause the same kind of damage in the body as asbestos, and its deadly cancer of the lung lining called mesothelioma. These findings were m

By Richard Shapiro

/ 10 Aug 2008

Spinal Surgeon/Doctor Wins Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Against His Spinal Surgeon-Who Botched Surgery

What happens when a spinal surgeon requires spinal surgery himself, and the spinal surgery is botched by the Virginia spinal specialist/physician he selected, leaving the injured surgeon with chronic pain syndrome? What happens is he retains a personal injury lawyer and a Virginia medical malpractic

By Richard Shapiro

/ 7 Aug 2008

Radioactive Exposures & Cancers To Railroad Workers Explored

Note: See recent updates on radioactive contamination, cancers, wrongful death cases: Radioactive/Radiation Exposures Linked to Cancers in Railroad Workers handling nuclear/uranium…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 5 May 2008

About Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injuries in America

Note: see also category Head & Brain Injuries. Brain injury is a major cause of death and disability of people under age 45 and a significant medical/legal…

By Richard Shapiro

/ 5 May 2008

CHOOSE YOUR PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY WISELY

Authored By: Richard N. ShapiroIf you are involved in an accident in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake or anywhere else, choose your lawyer wisely. A lawsuit is a stressful experience by anyone’s account. As the client, you should find comfort in knowing that your case is in good hands. Far too of

By Richard Shapiro

/ 18 Jan 2008

Dirty, Dastardly Deeds of Injury Defense Attorneys (Not Done Dirt Cheap)

There is a famous classic rock song entitled “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” and in my practice as a personal injury lawyer for victims we deal every week with dirty, dastardly deeds (not done dirt cheap) by defense lawyers fighting our personal injury clients’ cases. We deal with several large corpor

By Richard Shapiro

/ 5 Jan 2008

Medical Errors Continue Even in the Best Hospitals

Authored By: James C. LewisIt has long been known that medical mistakes that occur in our hospitals resulting in personal injuries frequently go unreported. In a recent investigation by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAHO) this continued problem with medical mistakes was hi

By Richard Shapiro

/ 26 Dec 2007

Timing Plays a Roll in the Quality of Healthcare

Authored by: Richard N. ShapiroSeveral recent studies have indicated that medical mistakes may occur with increased frequency based upon the timing of an individual’s contact with the medical community. For instance, the American Journal of Gastroenterology recently completed a study that examined a

By Richard Shapiro

/ 4 Oct 2007

Brain injury: A major problem in Virginia (VA) and Nationwide

Brain injury is a major cause of death and disability of people under age 45 and a significant medical/legal issue in tort and insurance law today. According to the Brain Injury Association of Virginia (VA) 28,000 visits to an emergency room occur in Virginia (VA) each year as a result of traumatic

By Richard Shapiro

/ 6 Jul 2007

Brain Damage Possible From Open Wound or Closed Head Injury

There are three types of brain injury depending upon how bad the injury is. Lawyers who handle traumatic brain injury cases have to be aware of the medicine and science related to the different categories of brain injury. The injury lawyer who handles automobile accident cases, slip and fall cases,

By Richard Shapiro

/ 25 Jun 2007