Rawls Law Group

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Rawls Law Group At Rawls Law Group, we only do what we do very well. Our team is not a big one, but our cumulative experience is huge. Government. https://www.indianhealthlaw.com

We are trusted by clients nationwide who know us both as zealous lawyers and caring individuals. VA & MILITARY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
We know what it takes to win a case against the U.S. Our experienced team works together to make sure you receive the highest level of representation from start to finish. Although our offices are in Virginia, we practice nationwide and have helped veterans and military families in nearly all 50 states. https://www.vet4vet.net

VACCINATION INJURY
The Vaccine Injury Team at Rawls Law Group helps children and adults who have suffered injury or injuries from vaccinations that are covered by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Our collective legal experience is significant with demonstrated success in vaccine injury cases nationwide. Our team provides a free consultation and a detailed examination of your vaccine injury case. https://www.vaccineinjuryhelp.com

PLAINTIFFS' MEDICAL MALPRACTICE IN VIRGINIA
No matter who you represent, trial experience always matters because the other side has to know that a lawyer is both willing to go to trial – that he or she is not afraid of doing so – and that the lawyer has the skills to try a case effectively. When the opposing party knows this, the clients tend to benefit by obtaining the best possible resolutions. Put bluntly, if your opposition knows you can and will try a case, you will be taken more seriously, much more seriously. https://www.virginiamedicalnegligence.com

INDIAN HEALTH LAW
Our lawyers can use our extensive knowledge of the Federal Tort Claims Act to evaluate and prosecute medical malpractice cases relating to the Indian Health Service. We have done it successfully for hundreds of veterans and military families throughout the United States. The law and the medicine are really no different. We are passionate about what we do and we do it well. Our team is committed to providing legal services to American Indians when the Indian Healthcare System fails our tribes.

Real People, Real Stakes: Why We Took the Sure ThingA couple of weeks ago, we settled a case for less than "full value” ...
10/09/2026

Real People, Real Stakes: Why We Took the Sure Thing

A couple of weeks ago, we settled a case for less than "full value” - for a lot less, in fact. By our internal calculations, we resolved it for no more than fifty cents on the dollar.

And we cut our fee by about half too.

This was all done quite intentionally.

Did some problem arise? Did our case fall apart?

No. We were in good shape and feeling good about the approaching trial.

The defense had expressed no interest in settling.

The case was not a sure winner for either side. Thinking like the old defense lawyer I used to be, I calculated our odds of winning at about 60%. A verdict likely would have been a good one, but there there was still a big chance of losing and getting nothing. I suspect the insurance company and its lawyer had assessed the situation similarly. Whether to try or settle such matters is a judgment call for the defense - as I recall so well. Accordingly, I was not surprised when no offer was forthcoming.

What happened?

Our client was in a tough spot. His position was a fragile one, both financially and emotionally. While he stood to net a lot more money if we prevailed, the possibility of getting nothing was overwhelming. It could have sent him over the edge.

This man needed a fresh start - and a modest bolus of money was the way to do that.

The client pleaded with us to resolve the case such that he would net such resources.

I contacted the defense lawyer, a guy I know and respect. We used to work together. I explained the situation pretty much as I have spelled it out above. He went back to his carrier. After a couple of days of negotiations, we got it done.

We adjusted our fee so the client would net half of the total settlement. As a general rule, at our firm we think there’s something wrong with the lawyer getting more than the client.

Again, thinking like the old defense lawyer I once was, the insurance company got a good deal - a very good one, actually - and that is totally okay with me. Although I might get scorn from my fellow plaintiffs' lawyers, I would even say that it did the right thing. The other side could afford to gamble on this case, but they chose not to do so.

Sure, I would much rather be making a post bragging about some ginormous verdict or settlement. That’s more fun, definitely.

On the other hand, our clients are real people and their lives can be very difficult. Our duty is to help them. Sometimes not taking a chance on a big award (and big fee) is what needs to be done.

Lots of lawyers talk a lot about full value or fair value. That's all well and good, but the people we represent are often genuinely in need - and getting nothing would grossly compound their already difficult situation.

Even in the strongest cases, there is a not insignificant chance of losing at trial. That's reality in this business.

The client's interests come first. Always. Period. Full stop.

Link to original LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7513527364841136128/

On October 1, 1996, what was then known as Brewster S. Rawls and Associates commenced business operations. The circumsta...
10/07/2026

On October 1, 1996, what was then known as Brewster S. Rawls and Associates commenced business operations. The circumstances were not exactly auspicious. Our offices were an active construction site – the space was still some weeks away from being finished – and most of the furniture consisted of folding tables and chairs.

About six weeks before, I was fired by the firm at which I was a named partner. It was not an amicable parting of the ways. It was unpleasant.

Fortunately, I had plenty of work. I had come to that firm with enough work to support myself and my paralegal, Cari Mikalson. Less than three years later, my practice had grown exponentially. I was keeping three other lawyers busy, as well as several more non-lawyer colleagues. All of those clients came with me. All of those people doing the work joined me at the new firm. Cari is still here. I doubt I could have done all of this without her.

By year 20, the firm had grown to 18 lawyers and over 50 total employees. It would not have been an exaggeration to say we were a premier Virginia medical malpractice defense firm.

We had disruptions and changes. Those were not easy, but we persevered.

Now at year 30, we have six lawyers. It would not be an exaggeration to say we are a premier Virginia medical malpractice plaintiffs’ firm. We are doing better than we ever did when we had three times the number of attorneys.

Sure. I am bragging.

For a bit of context, our representation of patients and families dates to 1999. At that time and in addition to our defense work, we started taking Federal Tort Claims Act malpractice cases all over the country. We represented veterans and military families. We still do – and it would definitely not be an exaggeration to say that we are, in fact, the premier FTCA firm in the country.

Yet, the reality is that from day one we have strived to do excellent legal work and take care of our clients. Our record is not perfect – no one’s is – but our focus has always been consistent.

We’ve been a firm that has never been afraid to try cases.

This firm is a good place to work. It’s the kind of environment where we don’t have to worry much about people’s comings and goings. The idea of doing what is right for the client permeates our culture. I’ve had the privilege of working with some awesome people, including Tracee Kyle, our office manager, who has kept this place running for 26 years. Like Cari, I doubt I could have done this without her.

The path from that chaotic start until today has had it share of twists and turns. We’ve had crises, some of which were serious. We’ve made mistakes – including no small number by me. But, through that time we’ve had huge successes too. Hundreds if not thousands of clients have been well-served.

Thirty years is a big milestone. I am proud of that – and I am so grateful for those colleagues and clients who have made it possible.

Click here to view the full post: https://www.rawlslawgroup.com/blog/founders-day-thirty-years/

$1,800,000 Settlement: Delayed Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Leads to Invasive Treatment and Problematic PrognosisThis case...
09/21/2026

$1,800,000 Settlement: Delayed Diagnosis of Breast Cancer Leads to Invasive Treatment and Problematic Prognosis

This case involved a young mother whose providers delayed her breast cancer diagnosis. By the time they identified the cancer after an extended period, the disease had advanced considerably.

The damages were substantial. The patient was a young parent with two small children who had worked full-time before her diagnosis. After the metastatic diagnosis, she stopped working and came to depend on disability-related income. The case also involved significant non-economic damages, including chronic pain, fatigue, treatment side effects, disfigurement, emotional distress, fear of premature death, and a diminished ability to parent and participate in family life as she once did.

The clinical defendant settled a few months before mediation with the radiology defendants. The confidential settlements totaled $1.8 million.

If a Virginia, Maryland, or DC healthcare provider has injured you or a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our office and schedule a free consultation.

Click here to view the full article: https://www.rawlslawgroup.com/blog/1800000-settlement-delayed-diagnosis-of-breast-cancer-leads-to-invasive-treatment-and-problematic-cancer-prognosis/


Virginia War Memorial Foundation's Sips on the Skyline event, is happening this Friday, September 18, 2026!This special ...
09/14/2026

Virginia War Memorial Foundation's Sips on the Skyline event, is happening this Friday, September 18, 2026!

This special evening honors the veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, while celebrating Virginia's incredible craft spirits community — many of which are veteran-owned themselves.

Sips on the Skyline is more than a cocktail event — it's a chance to gather with fellow patriots, educators, and veterans who share a love of country and a commitment to preserving these powerful stories for generations to come.

As a veteran owned business, Rawls Law Group supports the Virginia War Memorial Foundation's mission. Join us in supporting the Virginia War Memorial Foundation's mission to honor, educate, and inspire this Friday, September 18th.

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation experienced one of the darkest days in its history. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost...
09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago today, our nation experienced one of the darkest days in its history. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We remember the victims, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the passengers of Flight 93 who gave their lives to protect others.

In the years that followed, thousands of Americans answered the call to serve — deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq, standing watch at home, and carrying the weight of this tragedy into decades of service and sacrifice.

At Rawls Law Group, we are honored to stand alongside the veterans and military families who have given so much for our country. Today, we pause to remember those we lost, to thank those who served in the years since, and to recommit ourselves to fighting for the quality care every veteran deserves.

To the victims, the survivors, the first responders, and the veterans of the wars that followed — we remember, and we thank you.

Rawls law group is excited to announce participation in the Virginia War Memorial Foundation’s Sips on the Skyline event...
08/07/2026

Rawls law group is excited to announce participation in the Virginia War Memorial Foundation’s Sips on the Skyline event on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.

Come join us for a fun-filled evening celebrating the Memorial and the Foundation’s accomplishments over the past year. This fun filled EVENING WILL featuring live music, delicious food, and craft cocktails designed by Virginia’s best distillers.

Early Bird Tickets are now on sale for $100 per ticket through September 4th!

$225,000 Settlement: Delayed Diagnosis of a Jaw Lesion Leads to Permanent Neurological ImpairmentThe plaintiff was a rec...
07/31/2026

$225,000 Settlement: Delayed Diagnosis of a Jaw Lesion Leads to Permanent Neurological Impairment

The plaintiff was a recurring patient at the defendants’ dental practice, where she received continuous general dentistry and orthodontic care starting in 2020. During the course of her treatment, panoramic and CBCT x-rays were taken in April 2021 and March 2022. Both sets of x-rays displayed an obvious and growing radiolucent shadow in the patient’s anterior lower jaw.

Over multiple years, neither the treating orthodontist nor the general dentists at the practice documented the abnormality, informed the patient, or referred her to a specialist. The lesion went undiagnosed until June 2023, when a different dentist at the same practice noticed the shadow. By that time, the lesion had grown significantly.

Due to the delay in diagnosis, the expanding fibro-osseous lesion destroyed surrounding bone and nerves. The plaintiff was referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, where she had to undergo an invasive full-thickness flap surgical excision. Plaintiff’s experts opined that a timely diagnosis in 2021 would have prevented the lesion’s spread and spared her from undergoing multiple complex surgeries. As a result of the delay, the plaintiff suffered permanent neurological impairment and anticipates the future loss of teeth, which will require implants and further jaw reconstruction.

The defense heavily contested the claims on both procedural and factual grounds. The dental practice’s orthodontist escaped liability after the court granted a plea in bar on statute of limitations grounds. The court ruled that the continuing treatment rule did not apply to extend the statute of limitations for the orthodontist once the patient’s braces were removed, even though the patient had an additional follow-up appointment for a retainer issue.

The plaintiff successfully resolved the case at mediation with the general dentist who had primary responsibility for her care.

Rawls Law Group attorney Glen Sturtevant recently presented at the American Association for Justice Annual Convention in...
07/29/2026

Rawls Law Group attorney Glen Sturtevant recently presented at the American Association for Justice Annual Convention in Chicago. His program, “Starting Your FTCA Case: The Administrative Claim Phase—Essentials and Traps to Look Out For,” focused on the procedural requirements and common pitfalls involved in pursuing claims against the federal government.

Glen also serves as Chair of AAJ’s Federal Tort and Military Advocacy Section, which provides education, resources, and support to attorneys representing service members, military families, veterans, and others injured by the negligence of the federal government. We are proud of Glen’s continued leadership in this highly specialized area of law.

Link to American Association for Justice: https://www.justice.org/

Southwest Virginia's Anchor: Carilion Roanoke Memorial HospitalAt the turn of the 20th century, Roanoke was a young city...
07/14/2026

Southwest Virginia's Anchor: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital

At the turn of the 20th century, Roanoke was a young city with big ambitions. Incorporated only in 1882, it had been built almost entirely by the Norfolk and Western Railway, which turned a small village into a booming railroad hub. It was in this spirit of civic enterprise that Roanoke Hospital was founded in 1899, nestled at the base of Mill Mountain. The city's growth demanded a serious medical institution, and the hospital — built in part with the support of the railroad industry that had given Roanoke its identity — answered that call.

The hospital's early growth in the 1920s and 1930s was largely fueled by an unlikely benefactor: David W. Flickwir, a railroad executive who had fallen in love with and married the hospital's nursing superintendent, Mildred Elder. Flickwir donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the institution, earning the title of its "Greatest Benefactor." A building he funded in 1925 — the Flickwir Memorial Unit — still stands as a testament to his generosity. The Great Depression slowed but did not stop the hospital's expansion, and by mid-century it had established itself as the dominant healthcare institution for southwest Virginia.

In 1988, the hospital anchored the formation of the Carilion Health System — a regional network that eventually absorbed competing facilities and grew into Carilion Clinic, one of Virginia's largest integrated health systems. Today, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital operates 703 beds and serves as the region's only Level I trauma center, operating three medical helicopters to reach patients across the mountains and valleys of southwest Virginia. Its partnership with Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, opened in 2010, has transformed the institution once again — from a community hospital into an academic medical powerhouse rooted in the Blue Ridge.

Image: Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, Virginia, USA. Image taken by Patriarca12. Link to Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Carilion_Roanoke_Memorial_Hospital.jpg

A History of Exclusion and Resilience: Central State Hospital, PetersburgVirginia had established the nation's first psy...
07/07/2026

A History of Exclusion and Resilience: Central State Hospital, Petersburg

Virginia had established the nation's first psychiatric hospital at Williamsburg in 1773. But for nearly a century, that institution — and its counterpart, Western State Hospital in Staunton — admitted only white patients. The prevailing, horrific pseudoscience of the era held that enslaved Black people were biologically incapable of mental illness, and thus unworthy of treatment. After emancipation, that fiction could no longer be sustained. In December 1869, acting military Governor General Edward Canby designated Howard's Grove Hospital — a former Confederate facility in Richmond — as a state asylum exclusively for African Americans with mental illness.

The early decades were marked by severe overcrowding and under-resourcing, a reflection of the broader devaluation of Black lives in post-Reconstruction Virginia. In 1882, Petersburg's mayor struck a deal: the city purchased the 584-acre Mayfield plantation in Dinwiddie County for $15,000 and gifted it to the Commonwealth for a new facility. The first 373 patients transferred to the Petersburg site in 1885, and the renamed Central State Hospital became the largest psychiatric facility for Black Americans anywhere in the United States. By the 1950s, it held over 4,800 patients — with as many as 300 people crowded into a single ward.

From its founding until the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Central State served only African Americans — from across the entire state of Virginia. It holds the most complete records of Black mental health patients anywhere in the United States, and in some sources, it is revered as one of the most complete accounts in the world.

The 1960s, especially after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the facility saw major upgrades, the first adolescent treatment programs, and the first alcohol abuse treatment program in the state. Generations of Black residents from Petersburg and Dinwiddie County built careers at Central State, and the institution — for all its troubled origins — became a source of community pride and identity.

Address

211 Rocketts Way, Suite 100
Richmond, VA
23231

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18778384838

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