Attorney for Injured Healthcare Workers Employed by HCA Virginia Health System 

 

HCA Healthcare has a significant presence in the Commonwealth of Virginia, employing thousands of doctors, nurses, and other professionals. Our work injury law firm helps HCA Virginia employees who suffer occupational injuries.

 

If you suffered an injury on the job at an HCA Virginia Health System facility, you’re entitled to protections under Virginia workers compensation law.

 

Healthcare jobs like nursing have physical and emotional demands that frequently lead to work-related injuries. When they occur, navigating the legal process for workers compensation can be complex, especially when a powerful healthcare company like HCA and its insurers are involved.

 

HCA Virginia Health System

 

HCA Virginia is a regional division of HCA Healthcare, formerly known as the Hospital Corporation of America, the largest healthcare system in the United States.

 

HCA Virginia is one of the largest employers in the Commonwealth, employing thousands of doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals across its 14 hospitals, 13 urgent care centers, seven freestanding emergency departments, numerous outpatient facilities, doctor’s offices, and diagnostic imaging centers.

 

The top HCA hospitals in Virginia include:

 

    • Johnston-Willis Hospital in Chesterfield (Midlothian), with a net patient revenue of over $898 million

 

    • Henrico Doctors Hospital in Richmond, with over $636 million in net patient revenue.

 

    • LewisGale Medical Center in Salem, with $405 million in net patient revenue.

 

    • LewisGale Hospital Montgomery in Blacksburg, with over $155 million in net patient revenue.

 

    • Tri-Cities Hospital in Hopewell, with net patient revenue over $119 million.

 

    • StoneSprings Hospital Center in Sterling, with $94 million in net patient revenue.

 

Other HCA Virginia hospitals include the following:

 

    • In Northern Virginia, HCA operates Dominion Hospital (Falls Church) and Reston Hospital Center. The Dominion Hospital facility specializes in the treatment of patients with behavioral health issues.

 

    • In Central Virginia, HCA runs Chippenham Hospital (Richmond), Retreat Doctors’ Hospital (Richmond), and Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.

 

    • In Southwest Virginia, HCA runs LewisGale Hospitals in Alleghany (Low Moor) and Pulaski.

 

These and other HCA facilities in Virginia must provide a safe and secure environment to their employees. When an HCA employee suffers an injury, whether from HCA’s negligence, an accident, a patient’s (or their family member’s) intentional act, or the employee’s own mistake, these injured employees can recover benefits or a lump sum workers comp settlement.

 

Workplace Injuries in Healthcare: Industry-Wide Risks

 

Healthcare workers, particularly those in hospitals, face a significantly higher risk of workplace injury compared to other professions. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2022:

 

    • Hospitals had an injury rate of 5.5 per 100 full-time workers—more than construction or manufacturing.

 

    • The most frequent causes were overexertion, slips and falls, and violence from patients. 

 

The Virginia Workers Compensation Commission (VWC) reported over 242,000 First Reports of Injury in 2023. Of these, 45,220 were classified as major injuries requiring lost time, medical care, or permanent impairment compensation. The healthcare and social assistance sector, of which HCA employees are part, had the highest number of reported injuries (20,446).

 

Common Injuries for HCA Virginia Healthcare Workers

 

Based on national and state data, as well as injured workers we have represented, the most frequent injuries for HCA healthcare employees likely include:

 

 

    • Slips, trips, and falls: Wet floors, cords, medical equipment, or cluttered hospital environments are common hazards.
    • Needlestick injuries: Exposure to infectious materials or bloodborne pathogens.

 

    • Workplace violence: Assaults by patients or visitors in high-stress ER or psychiatric units.

 

    • Repetitive stress injuries: Caused by frequent bending, typing, or use of medical instruments. Workers comp covers some cumulative trauma injuries under an occupational disease theory. But winning these claims is challenging. 

 

Legal Challenges Unique to HCA Virginia Employees

 

Injured healthcare workers in Virginia face some unique challenges when it comes to securing compensation benefits after workplace accidents or the diagnosis of an occupational disease.

 

Under Virginia law, injured workers must choose from a panel of doctors offered by their employer. In HCA facilities, these panels may include physicians affiliated with the same hospital system, raising concerns about impartial treatment and employer-influenced medical decisions.

 

Some healthcare employers ask employees to resign or agree never to reapply for an open position as part of a settlement agreement. If HCA asks you to resign as part of the workers comp settlement, ask an attorney to review the documents to avoid unintentionally restricting future employment opportunities. This request is lawful. But agreeing to it may not be in your best interest career-wise. 

 

Large healthcare systems may also pressure injured employees to return to work before they’ve fully recovered, putting them at risk for re-injury or worsening of their condition while having medical work restrictions.

 

Even with legitimate injuries, it’s not uncommon for insurance carriers or employers to delay care, dispute diagnoses, or deny benefits—especially when documentation is incomplete or you miss deadlines.

 

Virginia Workers Comp Financial Statistics

 

Workers compensation benefits amount to tens of millions of dollars per year in Virginia. The data shows that settlements alone equaled more than $280 million.

 

If you suffer an occupational injury at HCA, act promptly and contact a workers compensation attorney to ensure you receive the wage loss benefits and lifetime medical treatment you deserve.

 

What to Do After a Work Injury at an HCA Hospital

 

Healthcare professionals must inform their supervisor or HR department immediately after an incident resulting in injury. Virginia law requires that you report the injury within 30 days of the incident; however, reporting them earlier is always better. You can use this sample workplace incident report as a template. 

 

After reporting, you should visit a doctor from your employer’s approved panel of physicians. If you are dissatisfied with the care or feel the doctor is not impartial, you should speak with an attorney about your options.

 

The next step is to file a formal Claim for Benefits with the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission within the applicable statute of limitations (usually two years from the date of injury). Simply reporting to your employer is not enough. An experienced attorney can assist with filing paperwork, disputing unfair decisions, ensuring medical treatment is adequate, and negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf.

 

Why You Need a Workers Compensation Attorney for Your Occupational Injury at HCA Healthcare

 

Hospitals like those in the HCA Virginia network often have teams of highly paid attorneys and claims adjusters whose goal is to minimize payouts. For example, the law firm of Penn Stuart represents many HCA hospitals in Virginia in workers comp claims, while the Indemnity Insurance Company of North America provides coverage. Having a Virginia workers comp specialist in your corner can level the playing field and help you avoid legal traps.

 

A seasoned workers compensation attorney can secure full access to medical treatment and wage loss benefits and protect your employment rights.

 

Our team of workers compensation lawyers, medical experts, and investigators have helped hundreds of injured healthcare workers across Virginia reach substantial settlements. We have extensive experience working with large hospital systems, such as HCA, and their insurers to resolve claims to the satisfaction of injured workers.

 

Discuss Your Options with a Virginia Workers Compensation Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt While Working for HCA

 

If you’ve been hurt while working at an HCA Virginia Health System facility, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the better your chances of receiving the full range of benefits you’re entitled to under Virginia law. CALL US NOW OR EMAIL: 804-251-1620 or 757-810-5614, cpollardjba@gmail.com. We offer free consultations and don’t charge unless we win your case.

 

REFERENCES

 

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employer-Reported Workplace Injuries and Illnesses – 2022. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/osh.pdf

 

Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. 2023 Annual Report. https://workcomp.virginia.gov/news/vwc-releases-2023-annual-report

 

Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission. Medical Services and Benefits. Retrieved from: https://workcomp.virginia.gov/faq/medical-services

 

Insuranceopedia. Workers’ Compensation Statistics (Virginia). https://www.insuranceopedia.com/workers-compensation-statistics

Corey Pollard
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