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While other law firms shy away from complex medical cases, we aggressively pursue justice for patients harmed by careless doctors, nurses, and healthcare facilities. Our DC medical negligence attorneys combine deep medical knowledge with fierce courtroom advocacy to expose every instance of malpractice.
We work with top medical experts to build ironclad cases that force negligent providers to take responsibility for their mistakes. When hospitals try to cover up errors or pressure victims into quick settlements, we fight back with the full force of our experience and resources.
Every personal injury case is different. However, there are three qualities you should consider when choosing a DC medical malpractice attorney for your case — all three that Regan Zambri Long possesses:
Regan Zambri Long has handled thousands of medical malpractice cases in the DC area and secured some of Washington, DC’s most significant settlements and verdicts for medical malpractice victims.
Beyond results, our attorneys have earned recognition from some of the most respected organizations in the legal profession. Founding partners Patrick Regan, Salvatore Zambri, and Victor Long are each board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy — a credential held by fewer than 1% of trial attorneys in the United States, requiring rigorous written examination, peer review, and demonstrated trial experience. NBTA board certification is recognized by the American Bar Association as a valid indicator of competence in trial practice.
Founding partner Patrick Regan has also been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers — honors extended to fewer than 1% of the nation’s trial lawyers based on excellence in advocacy, professionalism, and integrity.
Medical malpractice occurs when the medical professional either negligently or fails to act, causing further injury or serious harm to the patient’s life. For your injury to be considered negligence, your DC medical malpractice attorney must show that another healthcare professional would not have acted in the same manner under the same circumstances.
Here is how our medical malpractice attorneys can help with your case.
The following are examples of healthcare professionals and entities that could be held responsible for your injuries:
Determining the specific parties responsible in a medical malpractice case can be complex. Consult with a DC medical injury attorney promptly to understand your legal options.
A medical malpractice lawsuit can be filed by the patient who was injured, or in some cases by their legal representative or surviving family members.
Parents may bring claims on behalf of children, and family members may file wrongful death actions if malpractice leads to a tragic outcome.
Negligence comes in several different forms — from a doctor missing a diagnosis, emergency room errors, and medical staff failing to treat a patient properly to nursing home abuse. The most common types of DC medical malpractice cases our law firm handles include:
Contact Regan Zambri Long today for a free consultation on your medical malpractice case.
If you believe you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice in Washington, DC, taking immediate and strategic action is crucial for protecting your rights and building a strong case. Your first step will be proving medical malpractice had occurred in your case. You can show this with the following evidence:
Document Everything: Keep detailed records of your medical treatment, including dates of visits, names of healthcare providers, medications prescribed, and any communication with medical staff. Take photos of visible injuries or symptoms, and maintain a daily journal documenting your pain levels and how the injury affects your daily life.
Request Your Medical Records: You have a legal right to obtain copies of your complete medical records. Submit a written request to all healthcare facilities involved in your care. These records are important evidence in proving medical negligence and establishing the timeline of events.
Seek a Second Medical Opinion: Consult with another healthcare provider to evaluate your condition and document any deviations from the standard of care. This second opinion can serve as valuable evidence in your case and, more importantly, ensure you receive proper medical treatment.
Avoid Direct Communication With Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters may contact you seeking statements about your case. Decline to provide detailed information or sign any documents until you consult a medical malpractice attorney. Any statements you make could potentially impact your claim.
Preserve Evidence: Save all medical bills, prescription receipts, correspondence with healthcare providers, and any other documentation related to your injury. Record missed workdays and any expenses incurred due to the medical error.
In Washington, DC, if you’re considering filing a lawsuit, you’ll need to start by notifying the medical provider you believe was negligent at least 90 days before you officially file your lawsuit. This notice is a precursor to the mediation that the District requires both parties to attend. This non-binding mediation occurs early on, before the lawsuit’s discovery phase. According to DC law, all named parties are required to participate in mediation in these cases. The law has strict timetables for when mediation must occur.
Most cases are resolved through negotiating settlements, which tend to provide quicker and often favorable patient outcomes. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may go to trial. Trials can extend the timeline further due to court schedules and potential delays.
Once you formally start your lawsuit by filing a complaint, the process involves several steps and can take anywhere from a year to three years. The discovery phase allows both sides to thoroughly examine each other’s claims and defenses, including exchanging documents, sending interrogatories, and conducting depositions.
It’s also essential to consider DC’s contributory negligence rule, which could affect your case if you’re found even 1% percent at fault for your injury. This rule could prevent you from recovering any damages, so if you think you might share some responsibility for your injury, consult an experienced Washington, DC personal injury lawyer at Regan Zambri Long to understand all your legal options.
The burden of proof, which is the responsibility to prove the claim you made, falls on the victim. Your DC medical malpractice lawyer from Regan Zambri Long will work to determine who is at fault and how to prove it. There are four elements needed to prove medical negligence:
If you suspect you’ve suffered due to medical malpractice, consider scheduling a free consultation with a Regan Zambri Long injury attorney to discuss your case and explore your options.
While there is no set amount for malpractice damages, your Washington, DC medical malpractice lawyer will work hard to secure several damages categorized as compensatory and punitive.
Compensatory damages cover the losses related to the malpractice, such as:
If you lost a family member because of medical malpractice, you may also file a wrongful death claim to receive compensation for funeral and burial costs.
Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are awarded in cases of egregious negligence or when the defendant’s actions are deemed especially harmful or malicious.
In Washington, DC, the statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally three years from the date the injury occurred or when it was discovered.
This means you have a limited window to file your claim, and waiting too long can prevent you from recovering compensation.
Because timing is critical, speaking with an experienced malpractice attorney as soon as possible ensures you meet all filing deadlines and protect your right to pursue damages.
Yes, it is possible for a parent to file a medical malpractice claim for their child in DC. Unfortunately, pediatric medical malpractice does happen. The courts recognize that a child under 18 cannot legally sign court documents or hire an attorney. However, a parent or guardian can file a lawsuit on their behalf. If the parent or guardian doesn’t file a lawsuit, your child could have the opportunity to file their own once they reach the age of 18.
Medical malpractice settlements in Washington, DC, vary significantly based on factors like injury severity, long-term impact, and strength of evidence. While our firm has secured multi-million dollar settlements, including a $15 million case involving a heart patient, there’s no “typical” settlement amount. Each case is unique, involving different types of medical negligence – from surgical errors to misdiagnosis. The compensation amount depends on specific damages, including current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. An experienced DC medical malpractice attorney can evaluate your case’s potential value during a free consultation.
Medical malpractice claims in Washington, DC require careful timing and strategic planning. The process begins with a mandatory 90-day notice to the healthcare provider before filing suit, followed by needed mediation. While some cases settle within a year through successful negotiations, complex medical negligence cases typically take between one to three years to resolve. The timeline depends on factors like case complexity, evidence gathering, expert witness testimony requirements, and whether the case goes to trial. Working with an experienced DC medical malpractice lawyer ensures efficient case management.
Regan Zambri Long works on a contingency fee basis. You only pay legal fees if your lawyer successfully wins your case through a settlement or a verdict in your favor.
In addition, our medical malpractice law firm offers free consultations to answer any questions you may have about your case.
If you’ve been misdiagnosed in DC, first seek medical care and request your records. Get a second opinion, document everything, and preserve any evidence. In Washington, DC, the statute of limitations for misdiagnosis cases is three years, but determining when that clock starts — which depends on when the misdiagnosis was or should have been discovered — is fact-specific and requires an attorney’s analysis.
At Regan Zambri Long, our medical malpractice law firm in Washington, DC, we have investigated and litigated hundreds of medical malpractice cases in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. We have obtained significant settlements and verdicts for our clients, providing them with the financial resources to restore their lives.
Fill out the form to schedule a free medical malpractice case consultation today. We look forward to hearing how we can help you or a loved one with your case.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.