How A Settlement Breaks Down

To Start a case:

You'll spend $50,000 even when the lawyer is on a contingency basis,

for filing fees, expert witness fees, investigations, getting documents, etc.

You'll have to pay these costs regardless of whether you win or lose.

The lawyer rarely, if ever, pays for any of these things

You take the financial risk; the lawyer does not.

How Settlement Costs Break Down In Virginia

(This is a broad example and costs may vary)

Virginia law caps medical liability at about $2,000,000

So, even if I were to even be Awarded $2,000,000

Attorney gets 40% or 50% $ 800,000 to $1,000,000

IF I pay IRS/State taxes $ 600,000

Medical Insurance Company gets paid back $ 1,000,000

(the law is that you have to pay them back if you sue and collect anything)

Court Costs, witness fees, etc. $ 250,000

My Total Costs may be close to $ 3,000.000

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Which means I would owe several hundred thousand dollars

even if I won $2,000,000 in a court case!

(Just do the math)

Is there something wrong with this picture?

Is Virginia Law structured so that it’s not realistic to sue a doctor?

Are Doctors protected by Virginia Law? Are Patients protected?

Who makes law in Virginia? Lawyers or their clients?

If A Person Sues A Doctor In Virginia, Who Makes The Money - The Lawyer or the Client?