Generally, signing a consent form will not affect your medical malpractice claim in Virginia. In a lawsuit against a doctor, you must prove:
- What the standard of care required
- There was a deviation from the standard of care
- Damages occurred directly as a result of the deviation from the standard of care
- The damages are significant
In most cases, you will have signed a general surgical consent form. That form may or may not list specific "bad things" or complications that can occur as a result of the surgery.
The Supreme Court of Virginia has ruled in several cases that the fact you signed such a form is not relevant to the issue of whether the doctor is guilty of medical malpractice, thus, such forms are generally not admissible in a lawsuit against a doctor in Virginia.
To learn more about malpractice cases, download our free book about Virginia medical malpractice claims.
Additionally, if you believe you have a medical malpractice claim, you should call our main office at (703)584-7277 to speak with our team of experts.
