reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
VA Code § 8.01-581.6 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.6. Conduct of proceedings

In the conduct of its proceedings:1. The testimony of the witnesses shall be given under oath. Members of the medical review panel, once sworn, shall have the power to administer oaths.2. In the event a hearing is held, the parties are entitled to be heard, to present relevant evidence, and to cross-examine witnesses to the extent necessary to enable the panel to render an opinion as specified in § 8.01-581.7. The rules of evidence need not be observed. The medical review panel may proceed with the hearing and shall render an opinion upon the evidence produced, notwithstanding the failure of a party duly notified to appear.3. The medical review panel may issue or cause to be issued, on its own motion or on application of any party, subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and for the production of books, records, documents, and other evidence. Subpoenas so issued shall be served and, upon application by a party or the panel to a court of proper venue having jurisdiction over a motion for judgment based on such claim, enforced in the manner provided for the service and enforcement of subpoenas in a civil action. All provisions of law compelling a person under subpoena to testify are applicable.4. [Repealed.]5. The hearing shall be conducted by all members of the medical review panel unless the parties otherwise agree. A majority of the members present may determine any question and may render an opinion.6. The medical review panel members may apply their expertise in evaluating the evidence giving due regard to the nature of the claim and the nature of the practice of the health care provider, whether expert medical opinions are presented by the parties or not.Code 1950, § 8-916; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617; 1979, c. 261; 1984, c. 777; 1986, c. 227.
VA Code § 8.01-581.7 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.7. Opinion of panel

A. Within thirty days, after receiving all the evidence, the panel shall have the duty, after joint deliberation, to render one or more of the following opinions:1. The evidence does not support a conclusion that the health care provider failed to comply with the appropriate standard of care;2. The evidence supports a conclusion that the health care provider failed to comply with the appropriate standard of care and that such failure is a proximate cause in the alleged damages;3. The evidence supports a conclusion that the health care provider failed to comply with the appropriate standard of care and that such failure is not a proximate cause in the alleged damages; or4. The evidence indicates that there is a material issue of fact, not requiring an expert opinion, bearing on liability for consideration by a court or jury.B. If the review panel's finding is that set forth in subdivision 2 of subsection A of this section, the panel may determine whether the plaintiff suffered any disability or impairment and the degree and extent thereof.C. The opinion shall be in writing and shall be signed by all panelists who agree therewith. Any member of the panel may note his dissent. All such opinions shall be filed with the clerk of the court in which the action is pending and mailed to the plaintiff and the defendant within five days of the date of their rendering. However, this subsection shall not be construed to preclude the panel from announcing the opinion in the presence of the parties or their counsel, provided a signed written opinion is subsequently mailed as provided in this subsection.Code 1950, § 8-917; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617; 1986, c. 227; 1993, c. 928.
VA Code § 8.01-581.7:1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.7:1. Limitation on panel opinion

Unless the parties otherwise agree, any opinion of the panel shall be rendered no later than six months from the designation of the panel unless the judge shall extend the period one time, not to exceed ninety days, upon a showing of extraordinary circumstances. If the opinion of the panel is not rendered within the time provided, any panel opinion rendered subsequently shall be inadmissible as evidence unless the failure of the panel to render a decision within the time provided was caused by delay on the plaintiff's part.1981, c. 327; 1993, c. 928.
VA Code § 8.01-581.8 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.8. Admissibility of opinion as evidence; appearance of panel members as witnesses; immunity from civil liability

An opinion of the medical review panel shall be admissible as evidence in the action brought by the plaintiff, but shall not be conclusive. Either party shall have the right to call, at his cost, any member of the panel, except the judge, as a witness. If called, each witness shall be required to appear and testify. The panelist shall have absolute immunity from civil liability for all communications, findings, opinions and conclusions made in the course and scope of duties prescribed by this chapter.Code 1950, § 8-918; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617; 1978, c. 406; 1993, c. 928.
VA Code § 8.01-581.10 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.10. Per diem and expenses of panel

Each member of the medical review panel shall be reimbursed for his actual and necessary expenses and shall be paid at a rate of fifty dollars per diem for work performed as a member of the panel exclusive of time involved if called as a witness to testify in court. Per diem and expenses of the panel shall be borne by the parties in such proportions as may be determined by the chairman in his discretion.Code 1950, § 8-920; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617; 1984, c. 777.
VA Code § 8.01-581.11 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.11. Rules and regulations

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia shall promulgate all necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this chapter.Code 1950, § 8-921; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617.
VA Code § 8.01-581.11:1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.11:1. Objections not waived by participation

Participation in any medical malpractice review panel proceeding pursuant to this article shall not constitute a waiver by a party to the proceedings of any objections to the review panel procedure.1986, c. 227.
VA Code § 8.01-581.12 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.12. Arbitration of medical malpractice claims

A. Persons desiring to enter into an agreement to arbitrate medical malpractice claims which have then arisen or may thereafter arise may submit such matters to arbitration under the provisions of Chapter 21 (§ 8.01-577 et seq.) of this title and an agreement to submit such matters shall be binding upon the parties if the patient or claimant or his guardian, conservator, committee or personal representative is allowed by the terms of the agreement to withdraw therefrom, and to decline to submit any matter then or thereafter in controversy, within a period of at least sixty days after the termination of health care or, if the patient is under disability by reason of age and at the time of termination without a guardian who could take such action for him, or if he is incapacitated and without a guardian or conservator who could take such action for him, or if such termination is by death or if death occurs within sixty days after termination, then within a period of at least sixty days after the appointment and qualification of the guardian, conservator or committee or personal representative.B. Proof of agreement to arbitrate and submission of a medical malpractice claim pursuant thereto shall be in accordance with Chapter 21 of this title, and a medical malpractice panel appointed under this article may be designated to arbitrate the matter, either by the arbitration agreement or by the parties to the agreement.C. An insurer of a health care provider shall be bound by the award of an arbitration panel or arbitrators acting pursuant to a good faith submission hereunder to the extent to which it would have been obligated by a judgment entered in an action at law with respect to the matter submitted; provided, that such insurer has agreed prior to the submission to be bound by the award of such arbitration panel or arbitrators.Code 1950, § 8-922; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617; 1997, c. 801.
VA Code § 8.01-581.12:2 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.12:2. Article not applicable to actions arising prior to July 1, 1976

(a) The provisions of this article shall not apply to any cause of action which arose prior to July 1, 1976, and as to which the statute of limitations had not run prior to that date, regardless of the date any suit brought thereon is filed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in actions which accrued prior to July 1, 1976, if a claimant has filed notice under § 8.01-581.2 of this article, his cause of action and any defense thereto shall be governed by this article.(b) The term "has filed," as used in this section, is deemed to include the filing of notice under § 8.01-581.2 (or under repealed § 8-912) of this article where such filing occurred prior to the expiration of any applicable statute of limitation when the cause of action arose prior to July 1, 1976. This subsection (b) shall be applied retroactively to such causes of action.Code 1950, § 8-924; 1977, c. 422; 1978, c. 262.
VA Code § 8.01-581.15 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.15. Limitation on recovery in certain medical malpractice actions

In any verdict returned against a health care provider in an action for malpractice where the act or acts of malpractice occurred on or after August 1, 1999, which is tried by a jury or in any judgment entered against a health care provider in such an action which is tried without a jury, the total amount recoverable for any injury to, or death of, a patient shall not exceed the following, corresponding amount:August 1, 1999, through June 30, 2000$1.50 millionJuly 1, 2000, through June 30, 2001$1.55 millionJuly 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002$1.60 millionJuly 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003$1.65 millionJuly 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004$1.70 millionJuly 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005$1.75 millionJuly 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006$1.80 millionJuly 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007$1.85 millionJuly 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008$1.925 millionJuly 1, 2008, through June 30, 2012$2.00 millionJuly 1, 2012, through June 30, 2013$2.05 millionJuly 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014$2.10 millionJuly 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015$2.15 millionJuly 1, 2015, through June 30, 2016$2.20 millionJuly 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017$2.25 millionJuly 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018$2.30 millionJuly 1, 2018, through June 30, 2019$2.35 millionJuly 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020$2.40 millionJuly 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021$2.45 millionJuly 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022$2.50 millionJuly 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023$2.55 millionJuly 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024$2.60 millionJuly 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025$2.65 millionJuly 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026$2.70 millionJuly 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027$2.75 millionJuly 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028$2.80 millionJuly 1, 2028, through June 30, 2029$2.85 millionJuly 1, 2029, through June 30, 2030$2.90 millionJuly 1, 2030, through June 30, 2031$2.95 millionIn any verdict returned against a health care provider in an action for malpractice where the act or acts of malpractice occurred on or after July 1, 2031, which is tried by a jury or in any judgment entered against a health care provider in such an action which is tried without a jury, the total amount recoverable for any injury to, or death of, a patient shall not exceed $3 million. Each annual increase shall apply to the act or acts of malpractice occurring on or after the effective date of the increase.Where the act or acts of malpractice occurred prior to August 1, 1999, the total amount recoverable for any injury to, or death of, a patient shall not exceed the limitation on recovery set forth in this statute as it was in effect when the act or acts of malpractice occurred.In interpreting this section, the definitions found in § 8.01-581.1 shall be applicable.Code 1950, §§ 8-654.8; 1976, c. 611; 1977, c. 617; 1983, c. 496; 1999, c. 711; 2001, c. 211; 2011, cc. 758, 759.
VA Code § 8.01-581.18 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.18. Delivery of results of laboratory tests and other examinations not authorized by physician

A. Whenever a laboratory test or other examination of the physical or mental condition of any person is conducted by or under the supervision of a person other than a physician and not at the request or with the authorization of a physician, any report of the results of such test or examination shall be provided by the person conducting such test or examination to the person who was the subject of such test or examination. Such report shall state in bold type that it is the responsibility of the person so examined or tested to arrange with his physician for consultation and interpretation of the results of such test or examination. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any test or examination conducted under the auspices of the State Department of Health.B. As used in this section and § 8.01-581.18:1, "physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine, podiatry, chiropractic or osteopathy in this Commonwealth pursuant to Chapter 29 (§ 54.1-2900 et seq.) of Title 54.1.Code 1950, § 8-654.11; 1977, c. 527; 1993, c. 702; 2006, cc. 684, 877.
VA Code § 8.01-581.18:1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.18:1. Immunity of physicians for laboratory results and examinations

A. No physician shall be liable for the failure to review or act on the results of laboratory tests or examinations of the physical or mental condition of any patient, which tests or examinations the physician neither requested nor authorized, unless (i) the report of such results is provided directly to the physician by the patient so examined or tested with a request for consultation; (ii) the physician assumes responsibility to review or act on the results; or (iii) the physician has reason to know that in order to manage the specific mental or physical condition of the patient, review of or action on the pending results is needed. However, no physician shall be immune under this section unless the physician establishes that (a) no physician-patient relationship existed when the results were received or accessed; or (b) the physician received or accessed the results without a request for consultation and without responsibility for management of the specific mental or physical condition of the patient relating to the results or (c) the physician consulted on a specific mental or physical condition, the results were not part of that physician's management of the patient and the physician had no reason to know that he was to inform the patient of the results or refer the patient to another physician; or (d) the physician received or accessed results, the interpretation of which would exceed the physician's scope of practice and the physician had no reason to know that he was to inform the patient of the results or refer the patient to another physician.B. As used in this section, "physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine, chiropractic, or osteopathy in the Commonwealth pursuant to Chapter 29 (§ 54.1-2900 et. seq.) of Title 54.1.2006, c. 684.
VA Code § 8.01-581.19 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.19. Civil immunity for physicians, psychologists, podiatrists, optometrists, veterinarians, nursing home administrators, and certified emergency medical services providers while members of certain committees

A. Any physician, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, veterinarian, or optometrist licensed to practice in the Commonwealth shall be immune from civil liability for any communication, finding, opinion, or conclusion made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of any committee, board, group, commission, or other entity that is responsible for resolving questions concerning the admission of any physician, psychologist, podiatrist, veterinarian, or optometrist to, or the taking of disciplinary action against any member of, any medical society, academy, or association affiliated with the American Medical Association, the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychologists, the American Psychological Association, the Virginia Applied Psychology Academy, the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists, the American Podiatric Medical Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the International Chiropractic Association, the American Chiropractic Association, the Virginia Chiropractic Association, or the American Optometric Association, provided that such communication, finding, opinion, or conclusion is not made in bad faith or with malicious intent.B. Any nursing home administrator licensed under the laws of the Commonwealth shall be immune from civil liability for any communication, finding, opinion, decision, or conclusion made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of any committee, board, group, commission, or other entity that is responsible for resolving questions concerning the admission of any health care facility to, or the taking of disciplinary action against any member of, the Virginia Health Care Association, provided that such communication, finding, opinion, decision, or conclusion is not made in bad faith or with malicious intent.C. Any emergency medical services provider who holds a valid certificate issued by the Commissioner of Health shall be immune from civil liability for any communication, finding, opinion, decision, or conclusion made in performance of his duties while serving as a member of any regional council, committee, board, group, commission, or other entity that is responsible for resolving questions concerning the quality of care, including triage, interfacility transfer, and other components of emergency medical services care, unless such communication, finding, opinion, decision, or conclusion is made in bad faith or with malicious intent.1978, c. 541; 1987, c. 713; 1989, c. 729; 1993, c. 702; 1996, cc. 937, 980; 2006, c. 412; 2015, cc. 502, 503.
VA Code § 8.01-581.19:1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.19:1. Civil immunity for persons providing information to certain committees

Any person who provides information to any committee, board, group, commission, or other entity which is authorized to investigate any complaint of physical or mental impairment, that may show that any practitioner of medicine, osteopathy, optometry, chiropractic, podiatry, clinical psychology, physical therapy, veterinary medicine or any physical therapist assistant is unable to practice his profession with reasonable skill and safety, by reason of the use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances, or as a result of any mental or physical condition, shall be immune from civil liability for any act done for, or any utterance or communication made to, such entity in the course of providing such information. However, this section shall not apply if the act, utterance, or communication is done or made in bad faith or with malicious intent or if such disclosure is prohibited by federal law or regulations promulgated thereunder.The provisions of this section shall apply only to such entities described in this section as are (i) established pursuant to a federal or state law, (ii) established and duly constituted by one or more public or licensed private hospitals, (iii) a medical or chiropractic society that is operating its health care provider impairment program in cooperation with the Board of Medicine, or another governmental agency, (iv) an optometric society or association that is operating its optometric impairment program in cooperation with the Virginia Board of Optometry, (v) a veterinary medical association that is operating its veterinarian impairment program in cooperation with the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine, or (vi) a clinical psychology academy that is operating its clinical psychology impairment program in cooperation with the Board of Psychology.1986, c. 604; 1987, c. 713; 1989, c. 729; 1993, c. 702; 1996, cc. 937, 980.
VA Code § 8.01-581.20:1 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.1 - Medical Malpractice|§ 8.01-581.20:1. Admissibility of expressions of sympathy

In any civil action brought by an alleged victim of an unanticipated outcome of health care, or in any arbitration or medical malpractice review panel proceeding related to such civil action, the portion of statements, writings, affirmations, benevolent conduct, or benevolent gestures expressing sympathy, commiseration, condolence, compassion, or a general sense of benevolence, together with apologies that are made by a health care provider or an agent of a health care provider to the patient, a relative of the patient, or a representative of the patient, shall be inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest. A statement of fault that is part of or in addition to any of the above shall not be made inadmissible by this section.For purposes of this section, unless the context otherwise requires:"Health care" has the same definition as provided in § 8.01-581.1."Health care provider" has the same definition as provided in § 8.01-581.1."Relative" means a patient's spouse, parent, grandparent, stepfather, stepmother, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, or spouse's parents. In addition, "relative" includes any person who has a family-type relationship with the patient."Representative" means a legal guardian, attorney, person designated to make decisions on behalf of a patient under a medical power of attorney, or any person recognized in law or custom as a patient's agent."Unanticipated outcome" means the outcome of the delivery of health care that differs from an expected result.2005, cc. 649, 692; 2009, c. 414.
VA Code § 8.01-581.21 (2021)
2021 Code of Virginia|Title 8.01 - Civil Remedies and Procedure|Chapter 21.2 - Mediation|§ 8.01-581.21. Definitions

As used in this chapter:"Mediation" means a process in which a mediator facilitates communication between the parties and, without deciding the issues or imposing a solution on the parties, enables them to understand and to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to their dispute."Mediation program" means a program through which mediators or mediation is made available and includes the director, agents and employees of the program."Mediator" means an impartial third party selected by agreement of the parties to a controversy to assist them in mediation.1988, cc. 623, 857; 2002, c. 718.