Virginia Statute of Limitations on Dental Work
A visit to the dentist can be a dreaded experience for many people. Dentists, like all doctors, must provide service according to a professional standard of care. Failure to do so can result in a lawsuit which, in Virginia, must be brought within a certain time frame.
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Statute of Limitations
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All states, including Virginia, have adopted statutes of limitation. These laws prescribe the amount of time by which a claimant must bring a lawsuit. Failure to do so will forever bar the claimant from bringing the case.
Virginia Statute of Limitations
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The Virginia statute of limitations for medical malpractice, which includes dentistry, can be found at the Virginia Code Annotated, Sections 8.01-581.1 through 8.01-581.20. Generally, the lawsuit must be brought within two years of the injury.
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Other Issues
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Several exceptions may toll, or stop the clock, on the statute of limitations, such as ongoing care for the same medical issue or injury to a minor. The time frame may also be extended for one year from discovery of the injury when the injury has been concealed by the doctor or when a foreign object has been left inside a patient.
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References
- Photo Credit dentist image by Sandor Kacso from Fotolia.com
