Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly
Jason Konvicka
Shareholder, Allen Allen Allen & Allen
Richmond
Education:
JD, University of Richmond School of Law
BS, University of Richmond
Best known for:
I have represented the victims of medical malpractice for my entire career as a trial attorney. I help my clients through all phases of medical malpractice claims including investigation, filing a lawsuit, litigation, mediation/settlement, trial and appeal.
Signature case / representation:
I remain proud of the $29.45 million verdict Malcolm McConnell and I obtained in Hampton Circuit Court in 2013. My client was an active, physically fit, 37 year-old married father of three who owned and ran a successful lawn care business. One morning, he experienced chest pain and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. A cardiologist later performed a cardiac catheterization and told my client that his heart vessels were clear. Unfortunately, the cardiologist missed a large blockage in my client’s left anterior descending artery and he went on to have a massive heart attack two months later. My client’s experts testified that he would ultimately require a heart transplant and, even then, would likely die within 10 years. Sadly, those experts were correct and my client died a few years ago after receiving a heart transplant. To my knowledge, this verdict remains the largest medical malpractice award in Virginia history.
Satisfying aspect of practice:
The opportunity to help truly deserving people rebuild their lives after facing seemingly insurmountable challenges makes going to the office easy.
Working with clients:
I have always believed that total candor is critically important when communicating with my clients. I tell my clients the good and the bad at every stage of the case. In turn, they know that they can trust me to be a straight shooter.
Advice:
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Pick your battles wisely.
Outlook:
For the most part, the law in Virginia is slow to change. I don’t see any major changes in medical malpractice law coming over the next year. However, it’s only a matter of time before we will have to work with the medical profession to increase the medical malpractice cap to provide fair compensation for those who are most catastrophically injured.
