What is the difference between a medical malpractice lawsuit and a class-action lawsuit?

Medical malpractice and class-action lawsuits are two types of legal actions that may be taken if an individual believes they have been harmed due to the negligence of another. However, there are important distinctions between the two. A medical malpractice lawsuit is an individual claim filed by a person who has been injured due to the carelessness or negligence of a medical professional. It is filed against a single doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider for damages resulting from the medical malpractice. On the other hand, a class-action lawsuit is a legal action filed on behalf of a group of individuals who have simultaneously suffered the same injury due to the same incident. It is filed against a single entity, such as a company or government organization, which is deemed responsible for the harm caused. Additionally, the individuals filing the claim typically must have suffered the same type and extent of damages. In Virginia, medical malpractice cases are legally separated from other injury claims and must be filed within two years of the medical negligence. Additionally, a medical malpractice claim must be filed by the injured party, while a class-action lawsuit can be filed by any person acting on behalf of the group of injured parties. In summary, the main difference between a medical malpractice lawsuit and a class-action lawsuit is that the former is an individual claim against a single healthcare provider, while the latter is a group claim against a single entity. Additionally, filing deadlines and who can file the claim are different for each type of legal action.

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