Meet Our Unique Medical Malpractice Lawyer at Crump Injury Law
From Caregiver to Case Winner
At Crump Injury Law, we understand the major impact and disruptions medical negligence has on people, their day-to-day lives, and their livelihood. It’s overwhelming and, oftentimes, recovery is ongoing, whether it be physically, emotionally, and/or financially. Summer Crump offers clients peace of mind during this critical time. As a former medical provider and medical expert, Summer provides fierce representation for medical malpractice and wrongful death victims as a Virginia medical malpractice lawyer.
Understanding medical malpractice and how Our Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawyer can help You
When you entrust your health to a medical professional, you expect competent care that meets accepted standards. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen, leading to serious harm. Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider—such as a doctor, nurse, hospital, or other professional—deviates from the standard of care, resulting in injury or worsening of a condition.
In Virginia, these cases are governed by specific laws designed to protect patients while ensuring claims are supported by evidence. If you or a loved one has been affected by potential medical negligence, understanding your options is the first step toward recovery.
Common Examples of Medical Malpractice & Why A Lawyer With a Medical Background Matters in These Cases
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Failing to correctly identify conditions like cancer, heart attacks, infections, or strokes, allowing the illness to progress.
Surgical Errors: Mistakes during operations, such as operating on the wrong site, leaving instruments inside the body, or causing unnecessary damage to tissues or organs.
Medication Errors: Prescribing the wrong drug or dosage, failing to account for allergies, or overlooking harmful interactions.
Birth Injuries: Negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery that leads to conditions like cerebral palsy, brachial plexus injuries, or other lifelong complications. Claims might involve seeking recovery through Virginia’s birth-related neurological injury compensation program or by filing a claim in court.
Failure to Treat Properly: Not following up on test results, discharging patients too early, or ignoring symptoms that require intervention.
Wrongful Death: A consequence secondary to any of the above-stated common types of medical malpractice and other causes (e.g., accidents, defective consumer products, and other forms of negligence).
These errors can cause lasting physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Every case is unique, and determining whether negligence occurred requires careful review by attorneys and experts.
Having A Former Medical Provider As Your Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawyer Or Wrongful Death Attorney Puts Our Clients At A Strong Advantage
"Diagnosing Injustice. Curing It In Court"
Because Summer Crump used to practice for the defense, she knows how defense lawyers think and is able to anticipate their game plan. This allows us to build effective medicolegal strategies and avoid pitfalls that can occur due to lack of medical knowledge or failing to appreciate the medical nuances specific to each case and their application in the legal context. In essence, Summer’s unique background makes her a powerful litigator and advocate for her clients.
With over 15 years of hands-on experience as a medical provider in various specialties before becoming an attorney, Summer brings a distinct perspective to medical malpractice and wrongful death claims as a Virginia medical malpractice attorney. This clinical background allows her to quickly identify where care may have fallen short—spotting issues in records, imaging, or treatment plans that others might overlook. Combined with her legal practice and handling complex cases across Virginia, this experience helps counter defense expert witnesses in real time and build compelling, evidence-based arguments for clients seeking accountability and fair compensation.
If you’ve experienced unexpected harm from medical care, you don’t have to navigate this alone. We’re here to listen, explain your options under Virginia law, and guide you through the process with compassion and determination.
Virginia laws require wrongful death and medical malpractice actions be timely filed. Contact us today and learn how our medical expertise can benefit you and help fight for the recovery you or your loved one deserves. Your initial discussion creates no attorney-client relationship and is completely confidential.
From the Desk of a Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawyer
Key Aspects of Medical Malpractice Law
Statute of Limitations
Generally, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. In some cases, such as when the injury isn't immediately discovered, the clock may start later—but no claim can be filed more than 10 years after the incident (with limited exceptions).
Certificate of Merit
Before serving a lawsuit, an experienced attorney typically obtains an opinion from a qualified expert confirming that the care deviated from accepted standards and caused harm.
Damage Caps
Virginia limits total recovery in these cases, with the cap increasing annually. For acts occurring in 2025–2026, the limit is $2.70 million, covering all damages including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Punitive damages have a separate cap of $350,000.
Contributory Negligence
If a patient is found even partially at fault, no matter how small, recovery may be barred entirely—a strict rule that underscores the need for thorough case preparation.
Important Things You Should Know
Understanding the role of a Virginia medical malpractice lawyer is essential when navigating the complexities of medical malpractice, & wrongful death claims.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Gather all pertinent medical records and consult an attorney promptly for a confidential review. Preparing a timeline of critical events will facilitate the process and allow the attorney to provide a more accurate and thorough review of your case.
No. Medicine involves risks, and not every complication equates negligence. To qualify as actionable medical malpractice, a duty of care must have existed (e.g., provider-patient relationship). Next, a deviation from the standard of care must have occurred (not could have occurred). Lastly, the breach must have caused the harm you suffered (not could have suffered).
We offer free, no-obligation consultations to evaluate your situation. We also perform a case analysis at no cost to you.
We adhere to strict attorney-client privilege and use encrypted communication platforms. The legal software used to store and exchange sensitive information and documents is HIPAA compliant and secure.
Typically two years from the injury date, but limited, statutory-specific exceptions may apply—don’t wait to find out.
Many resolve through negotiation, but we’re prepared to advocate in court if needed. However, we will not settle any claims without client authority.
Timelines vary by complexity. Litigating medical malpractice and wrongful death claims can span 12-36 months. We prioritize efficiency and keep you updated at every stage.
You can reach our Virginia medical malpractice lawyer and wrongful death attorney via phone at (757)280-2727, fill out our online form, or schedule your free consultation using the online calendar on the “Contact Us” page.