Practice Areas
- Medical Malpractice
- Car / Truck Accidents
- Birth Injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Catastrophic Personal Injuries
Blog 
Medical Malpractice
- Serious But Preventable Medical Injuries On The Rise
- Another Frivilous Lawsuit Myth Debunked
- Website Allows Patients To Compare Hospital Ratings
- Shevlin Smith's Praise for "A Call To Action For Doctors"
- How Can A Medical Malpractice Case Be Called Frivolous When Expert Medical Testimony Is Required Before A Lawsuit Can Even Be Filed?
- Three Virginia Nursing Homes Listed Among Nation's Worst
- Is there too much medical malpractice litigation or is there too much medical malpractice?
Car / Truck Accidents
Catastrophic Personal Injuries
Insurance
General
- It Is The Insurance Industry That Is In Dire Need Of Reform
- New Harvard Study Deals Another Blow To Tort Reform Advocates
- Frivilous Lawsuits Myth Debunked
- Are Insurance Companies Shedding Their Role As Risk-Bearers In An Effort To Become Profitable Financial Institutions?
- Study Finds Type Of Health Care Inusrance Affects The Quality Of Care Patients Receive
- FDA acknowledges loophole that allows non-FDA approved drugs to be prescribed by health care providers
- Is The FDA Doing Its Best To Protect American Citizens From The Risks Of Drug Medications?
News
- Virginia Super Lawyers recognize Thomas G. Smith and Michael J. Shevlin
- Virginia Supreme Court Denies Charitable Immunity For Doctors
- World Health Organization Issues a Checklist to Make Operations Safer
- Brain injuries cause half of seniors' fall deaths
- Experts Worry About Rise in C-Section Births
- FDA Believes That Heparin Contamination Was Likely Intentional
- Tom Smith Named Washington D.C. Metro "Super Lawyer"
- FDA Cautions Use of the Blood Thinning Drug Heparin
- Two Northern Virginia Obstetricians Formally Reprimanded
- Mass General Hospital study finds gaps between doctors' standards and actions
Library
Car / Truck Accidents
Firm News
- The Best Lawyers in America recognizes all three Shevlin Smith attorneys
- Virginia's Largest Verdicts of 2006
- Virginia's Largest Verdicts of 2005
- Shevlin Smith Moves Office
- Tom Smith Named Super Lawyer
Medical Articles
Significant Court Decisions
- Virginia Supreme Court clarifies the foundational requirements for the admissibility of medical literature
- Virginia Supreme Court addresses damages issue in truck accident wrongful death case
- Virginia Supreme Court reaffirms mother's right to recover for her own emotional distress suffered as a result of an in utero injury to her fetus
- Virginia Supreme Court agrees with trial court's decision to fine defense attorney who raised groundless legal defenses
- Trial Court Order Awarding Plaintiff Costs and Attorney's Fees As A Result Of Defendant's Refusal To Admit An Uncontested Fact
Car / Truck Accidents
Tort Reform News
- "The Fairness of Malpractice Settlements"
- Financial Statements From 15 Largest Medical Malpractice Insurers Show Increase In Doctor's Insurance Premiums Not The Result Of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
- "To Err Is Human: Building A Safer Health System"
- Harvard School of Public Health study: "Claims, Errors, and Compensation Payments in Medical Malpractice Litigation"
- The Ten Worst Insurance Companies in America
General
Document Library
On the page below you can find links to documents, reports, publications and discussions provided by Shevlin Smith.
The documents below are available to the public so that they can gain a better understanding of the legal challenges facing them, and why an experienced attorney is so important for success.
Contact us for a consultation today.
- Car / Truck Accidents
- Firm News
- Medical Articles
- Significant Court Decisions
- Car / Truck Accidents
- Tort Reform News
- General
Car / Truck Accidents
- Large-Truck Crash Causation Study: An Initial Overview [PDF]
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.
Firm News
- The Best Lawyers in America recognizes all three Shevlin Smith attorneys
Since 1983, <i>Best Lawyers</i> has compiled lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The newest edition, <i>The Best Lawyers in America </i>(2008), is based on more than two million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. Because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be included, a listing in <i>Best Lawyers </i>is widely regarded within the legal profession as a signal honor, conferred on a lawyer by his or her peers. For 25 years, Best Lawyers lists have earned the respect of the profession, the media, and the public, as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere.
- Virginia's Largest Verdicts of 2006
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.
- Virginia's Largest Verdicts of 2005
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.
- Shevlin Smith Moves Office
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 block of the intersection of Route 123 and Route 236. Shevlin Smith's telephone number remains the same - (703)591-0067.
- Tom Smith Named Super Lawyer
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.
Medical Articles
- "Repairing the Damaged Spinal Cord" [PDF]
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.
Significant Court Decisions
- Virginia Supreme Court clarifies the foundational requirements for the admissibility of medical literature [PDF]
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.
- Virginia Supreme Court addresses damages issue in truck accident wrongful death case [PDF]
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 reaffirms mother's right to recover for her own emotional distress suffered as a result of an in utero injury to her fetus [PDF]
The Virginia Supreme Court upheld a jury's verdict in favor of mother's emotional distress claim arising from a birth injury to her son. The significance of this decision is that it recognizes that an injury suffered by a baby while in the mother's womb causes harm to both a mother and her child. As a result, both mother and child are permitted to recovery for their injuries and Virignia's statutory cap on damages will apply to the mother and child separately. Mother and child are each entitled each to recover an amount up to the cap.
- Virginia Supreme Court agrees with trial court's decision to fine defense attorney who raised groundless legal defenses [PDF]
In an era when plaintiffs and plaintiff's attorneys are routinely criticized for bringing frivolous lawsuits, a Fairfax County trial court judge held that a defense attorney for Ford Motor Company raised legal defenses that were without any factual support. The trial judge fined the defense attorney as a result. In the attached opinion, the Virginia Supreme Court agreed with trial court's decision.
- Trial Court Order Awarding Plaintiff Costs and Attorney's Fees As A Result Of Defendant's Refusal To Admit An Uncontested Fact [PDF]
- Massachusetts Supreme Court Holds That A Doctor's Responsibility Goes Beyond Patients
Car / Truck Accidents
Tort Reform News
- "The Fairness of Malpractice Settlements" [PDF]
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.
- Financial Statements From 15 Largest Medical Malpractice Insurers Show Increase In Doctor's Insurance Premiums Not The Result Of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits [PDF]
- "To Err Is Human: Building A Safer Health System"
Recognizing that "to err is human" this report from The Quality of Health Care in America Committee of the Institute of Medicine examined the widespread nature of preventable errors in the United States. Such errors lead to the unnecessary deaths of as many as 98,000 Americans each year. This report sets forth recommendations that will help improve our country's health care system.
- Harvard School of Public Health study: "Claims, Errors, and Compensation Payments in Medical Malpractice Litigation" [PDF]
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 sytem performs reasonably well in its function of separating claims without merit from those with merit and comensating the latter."
- The Ten Worst Insurance Companies in America [PDF]
General
Let Us Help You
Shevlin Smith
3975 University Drive, Suite 405
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: (703) 591-0067
Fax: (703) 591-1877
FAQs
Car / Truck Accidents
- I have been injured in a car or truck accident and I am now receiving calls or letters from the insurance company of the other person(s), what should I do?
- What information can I provide to an attorney to assist the attorney in the review process of my case?
General Questions
- What are the expenses for bringing a medical malpractice or personal injury case?
- What is the likelihood of my case settling without having to go to trial?
- What should I do if I believe that I have been injured due to medical malpractice or the negligence of another person?
- What fee does an attorney charge for representing a client in a medical malpractice or personal injury claim?
Birth Injuries
- What if I suspect that my child’s injury was caused by medical negligence at birth?
- What are the main types of birth injuries?
- How is negligence proved in cases of birth injuries?
Medical Malpractice
- How does one know if he or she is a victim of medical malpractice or negligence?
- What experience should I look for in a medical malpractice attorney?
- Is a misdiagnosis or the failure to make diagnosis always medical malpractice?
- How is failure to treat infection can become a medical malpractice?
- Will health care providers tell me if a mistake has been?
Brain Injuries
- What are the symptoms of a subtle or mild brain injury?
- How is a brain injury diagnosed?
- What is the frequency of traumatic brain injuries in the United States?
- What is the prognosis for a person who has suffered a traumatic brain injury?