Practice Areas

Blog

News

Library

Learn More About Your Rights From Experienced Virginia and Washington D.C. Personal Injury Lawyers

Our library provides important information to people who have been hurt in medical malpractice, car and truck accidents or other catastrophic accidents in Virginia or Washington D.C.  Read more about your brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other serious injury in our regularly updated library.

Library Categories:

• Medical Malpractice
• Car / Truck Accidents
• Birth Injuries
• Brain Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Old Firm News
• Brain Injury
• Birth-Related Articles
• Medical Articles
• Significant Court Decisions
• Car / Truck Accidents
• Tort Reform News
• General

Medical Malpractice:

• Study Finds Many Hospital-Acquired Infections are Due to Ignorance and Neglect   
  Description: Hospital infections are serious and often fatal complications that are frequently caused by the ignorance or neglect of medical professionals. Victims of hospital infections may be entitled to damages for their injuries. Contact the Washington D.C. and Virginia medical malpractice lawyers of Shevlin Smith for a free consultation.
• Lack of Informed Consent Medical Malpractice Cases   
  Description: You may be entitled to medical malpractice damages if you did not provide informed consent prior to treatment, if you would not have provided medical consent had you been properly informed, and if you were injured because of the treatment. Contact the Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia medical injury lawyers of Shevlin Smith to learn more about potential damages in a lack-of-informed-consent medical malpractice case.

View All

Car / Truck Accidents:

• Nighttime Driving is the Most Common Cause of Teenage Car Crashes   
  Description: Nighttime driving is the biggest risk for teenage drivers, according to a new study. Teenagers, and their parents, should understand the risks of night driving and comply with driving laws in Virginia and Washington D.C. that limit the nighttime driving of novice drivers. If you, or your child, has been hurt in an accident call the Virginia car accident lawyers of Shevlin Smith at 703-591-0067 for a free consultation.

View All

Birth Injuries:

• Are Erb’s Palsy and Cerebral Palsy the Same Thing?   
  Description: The Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia birth injury attorneys of Shevlin Smith are committed to helping parents of children with Erb’s Palsy, Cerebral Palsy or other birth injuries recover the damages to which they may be entitled. Read this article to understand the differences between Erb’s Palsy and Cerebral Palsy and learn about your legal rights if your child suffers from either condition due to medical negligence. For more information about medical negligence you can also read a copy of our free book, “A Patient’s Guide to Virginia Medical Negligence Law.”
• Fighting for Justice When Your Child Suffers a Birth Injury   
  Description: Gestational diabetes and failure to properly monitor the size of a fetus can lead to birth injuries when a large baby gets stuck during the birthing process. The Washington D.C. and Virginia birth injury lawyers of Shevlin Smith fight for the financial recovery of children who suffer birth injuries due to the negligence of doctors or hospitals. If your child has been hurt, call 703.591.0067 for more information.

View All

Brain Injuries:

• Long-Term Conditions Caused by Traumatic Brain Injuries   
  Description: Traumatic brain injuries can result in physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, behavioral changes, and emotional difficulties. Learn more about your rights to recover damages for these significant injuries from Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia traumatic brain injury lawyers.
• How to Recover from Depression after a Traumatic Brain Injury   
  Description: A new study by the Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that many traumatic brain-injury victims suffer from untreated major depressive disorder. The Washington D.C. and Virginia brain injury lawyers of Shevlin Smith are committed to helping traumatic brain-injury accident victims recover from their injuries and overcome their depression. Call Shevlin Smith today for more information.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries are Increasing in the U.S. According to 2010 CDC Report   
  Description: A 2010 CDC report indicates that traumatic brain injuries are increasing in the United States and that children and the elderly are at the greatest risk for TBIs. If you, or a loved one, have suffered a traumatic brain injury then the Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. brain injury lawyers of Shevlin Smith may be able to help you with your financial recovery. Call a Virginia brain injury attorney today at 703.591.0067 to discuss your case.

View All

Spinal Cord Injuries:

• Can a Spinal Cord Injury be Cured?   
  Description: Spinal cord injuries affect about 12,000 people and their families each year in the United States, and they are currently incurable. Promising research is being undertaken to develop a cure for spinal cord injuries. The Washington D.C. and Virginia spinal-cord injury lawyers of Shevlin Smith help victims of spinal cord injuries get the treatment and the financial damages that they deserve for their injuries.

View All

Old Firm News:

• Tom Smith Named Super Lawyer   
  Description: Tom Smith has again been named a Super Lawyer in the field of Plaintiff's Personal Injury:Medical Malpractice in Metro DC for 2008. He previously received this honor in 2007 in both Metro DC and Virginia. Other attorneys in Virginia nominate and vote for honorees, and only 5% of the attorneys in Virginia receive this designation.
• Shevlin Smith Moves Office   
  Description: On October 1, 2007, Shevlin Smith moved its offices to its new location at 3975 University Drive, Suite 405, Fairfax, Virignia 22030. The office is conveniently located near the Fairfax County Courthouse and is a block of the intersection of Route 123 and Route 236. Shevlin Smith's telephone number remains the same - (703)591-0067.
• Virginia's Largest Verdicts of 2005   
  Description: Virginia Lawyer's Weekly recognizes Michael Shevlin and Brian Shevlin for receiving the sixth largest jury verdict in the State of Virginia in 2005. This verdict was the second highest medical malpractice award in Virginia in 2005.
• Virginia's Largest Verdicts of 2006   
  Description: Virginia Lawyers Weekly recognizes Brian Shevlin and Michael Shevlin for 11th largest verdict in the State of Virginia in 2006. It was the 4th largest verdict involving a Virignia medical malpractice case.

View All

Brain Injury:

• Clinical Policy: Neuroimaging and Decisionmaking in Adult Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Acute Setting From [PDF]   
  Description: In 2008, the American College of Emergency Physicians revised its Clinical Policy concerning the "Neuroimaging and Decisionmaking in Adult Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the Acute Setting." Its new policy provides evidence-based recommendation in the area of the management of adult patients with mild traumatic brain injuries in the acute setting.

View All

Birth-Related Articles:

• NIH Reconsiders Risks of VBACs and Subsequent C-Sections   
  Description: C Sections are commonly thought of as the safest way to deliver a baby if the mother has had a previous C Section. However, there is a risk of serious complications for a baby if a doctor is negligent in recommending or performing a C-Section. If your child has been hurt during birth call a Virginia birth accident lawyer at Shevlin Smith for a free consultation.

View All

Medical Articles:

• Report to Congress on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Steps to Prevent a Serious Public Health Problems [PDF]   
• Experts Worry About Rise In C-Section Births   
  Description: This story from the U.S. News and World Report notes that nearly 1 in 3 pregnant women had a C-section in 2006. A decade earlier, only 1 in 5 women gave birth by C-section. Physicians discuss the reasons for the rise in C-section, and the pros and cons of having a C-section.
• Elective C-sections performed too early 36% of the time   
  Description: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that elective C-sections be performed no sooner than 39 full weeks of gestation. A recent research study funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) found that 36% of C-sections were performed earlier than this benchmark. Babies delivered by C-sections before 39 weeks have been shown to have increased birth-related problems such as respiratory distress, lower blood sugar, infection or a need for intensive care.
• Millions of Seniors Use Risky Drug Combinations   
  Description: The Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) recently published an article that focused on medication drug use by senior citizens and the risks associated with the combined use of multiple medications. The article was based upon research funded by the National Institutes of Health and University of Chicago.
  
  Based upon 3,000 interviews with people aged 57 to 85, the researchers found that 91% of the people interviewed used at least one medication, and that more than 50% used at least five medications.
  
  The most worrisome potential combinations cited by the researchers were as follows:
  (1) Warfarin (a potent prescription clot-fighting drug) taken with aspirin increased the risk of excess bleeding;
  (2) Aspirin taken with over-the-counter ginkgo supplements also increased the chances for excess bleeding;
  (3) Lisinopril (a blood pressure drug) taken with potassium can cause abnormal heart rhythms;
  (4) Statins (a prescription cholesterol-lowering drug) taken with over-the-counter niacin (a type of vitamin B that also lowers cholesterol) increases the risks for muscle damage.
  
  Of chief concern is that many senior citizens do not appreciate the risks associated with combined medication drug use, including the potential effects from over-the-counter medication use such as herbal remedies.
• "Repairing the Damaged Spinal Cord" [PDF]   
  Description: Dr. John W. MacDonald and the Research Consortium of the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation write about the significant advances in the understanding of spinal cord injuries and new approaches for the treatment of spinal cord injuries.

View All

Significant Court Decisions:

• Virginia Supreme Court Issues Important Decision For Disputed Wrongful Death Cases [PDF]   
  Description: The decision in Centra Health, Inc. v. Mullins is a big victory for plaintiff's rights.
• Virginia Supreme Court addresses damages issue in truck accident wrongful death case [PDF]   
  Description: In Wright v. Minnicks, the Virginia Supreme Court reversed a trial court's decision to set aside a verdict in favor the plaintiff. The jury had awarded the plaintiff significant damages for loss of income, services, protection and assistance as a result of the decedent's death, but had awarded the plaintiff zero compensation for loss of solace damages. The Wright Court held that in light of evidence that showed the plaintiff's and decedent's marriage was failing, the jury's award of zero compensation for loss of solace damages was not inappropriate.
• Virginia Supreme Court clarifies the foundational requirements for the admissibility of medical literature [PDF]   
  Description: In Bostic v. About Women OB/GYN, the Virginia Supreme Court addressed the issue as to the foundational requirements for the introduction of medical literature pursuant to Virginia Code 8.01-401.1. The Bostic Court held that the trial court erroneously admitted medical literature, and reversed a jury verdict in favor of the defendant.
• Massachusetts Supreme Court Holds That A Doctor's Responsibility Goes Beyond Patients   
• Trial Court Order Awarding Plaintiff Costs and Attorney's Fees As A Result Of Defendant's Refusal To Admit An Uncontested Fact [PDF]   

View All

Car / Truck Accidents:

• Large-Truck Crash Causation Study: An Initial Overview [PDF]   
  Description: This study was published in August, 2006 based upon data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA). It was the first national study that determined the reasons and associated factors contributing to serious large-truck crashes.
• Speeding Triples The Chances of an Auto Accident   

View All

Tort Reform News:

• Insurance companies drastically raise insurance premiums for doctors despite a fall in the number of medical malpractice case filings [PDF]   
• [PDF]   
• The Ten Worst Insurance Companies in America [PDF]   
• "The Fairness of Malpractice Settlements" [PDF]   
  Description: This article is a summary of a large study conducted by Philip G. Peters, Jr., a professor of law at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. Analyzing over a dozen studies from the last 25 years, Professor Peters refutes the claims that our legal system favors plaintiffs and that doctors and other health care providers are settling frivilous lawsuits to avoid trial.
• Harvard School of Public Health study: "Claims, Errors, and Compensation Payments in Medical Malpractice Litigation" [PDF]   
  Description: This study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most prestigious journals in the medical profession. The study examined the current debate over tort reform, specifically the issue of whether the frivolous litigation is common and costly in the medical malpractice system. Its findings: "portraits of a malpractice system is stricken with frivolous litigation are overblown" and "the malpractice system performs reasonably well in its function of separating claims without merit from those with merit and compensating the latter."

View All

General:

• Failure to Diagnose and Properly Treat Heart Attacks May Cause Women to be More Likely to Die From Heart Attacks   
  Description: Women who suffer heart attacks often experience delays in treatment, misdiagnoses, and negligent follow-up care. Doctors who fail to diagnose or properly treat a heart attack may be responsible for the resulting injuries. Contact a Washington D.C. and Virginia medical malpractice lawyer for more information if you’ve been hurt, or if you’ve lost a loved one, due to an improperly diagnosed or treated heart attack.
• How to Deal with an Insurance Adjustor After an Accident   
  Description: Insurance adjustors often pressure motor-vehicle accident victims to settle their cases for less than their value. Learn how to protect your interests and recover a fair insurance settlement for your Washington D.C. or Northern Virginia accident injuries.
• Three Important Steps to Take After a Car or Truck Accident   
  Description: Most families will be affected by a motor vehicle accident at some point. The time following a motor vehicle accident can be overwhelming and confusing, but it is also important. The Washington D.C. and Virginia personal injury lawyers of Shevlin Smith suggest three important steps that you should take after an accident to protect yourself and your potential recovery.

View All

Do I Have A Case? A Patient's Guide to Virginia Medical Neglingence La

Let us help you

FAQs