Common sense tells us that being completely honest and forthright with your health care providers is extremely important in order to obtain the best medical care possible. A doctor’s ability to promptly and 
accurately diagnose a health problem could be hindered by a patient’s lack of total honesty regarding her medical history, symptoms, use of alcohol/drugs, etc. Now, there is even more reason to be completely candid with your health care providers.
A Roanoke City Circuit Court judge recently held that an emergency room doctor sued for medical malpractice had a right to assert the defense of contributory negligence by the patient when the patient denied taking a specific drug prior to his arrival at the emergency room. While the Virginia Supreme Court has never stated that the defense of contributory negligence cannot be claimed in a medical malpractice case, the Court has refused to allow the defense in a number of different circumstances. It appears that dishonesty with your doctor regarding relevant medical history crosses the line, and may prevent a patient from recovering for the alleged medical malpractice of a health care provider.
If you believe you have been harmed by the medical malpractice of a health care provider, call Altizer Law, P.C.
