Veterans deserve careful, competent medical care. When negligent treatment at a VA hospital or VA clinic causes serious harm, the injured patient or family may have a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
VA malpractice claims can involve delayed diagnosis, failure to diagnose cancer, surgical mistakes, emergency-room errors, medication errors, radiology mistakes, nursing failures, infections, sepsis, stroke mismanagement, mental health failures, suicide-related claims, and failures to follow up on abnormal test results.
These cases are not handled the same way as ordinary state medical malpractice claims. Before suing, the injured person generally must submit an administrative claim to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Rawls Law Group handles VA medical malpractice claims nationwide and can help evaluate whether negligent VA care caused serious injury or death.
FAQs
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Does Rawls Law Group handle FTCA medical malpractice claims nationwide?
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Yes. Rawls Law Group represents clients nationwide in FTCA medical malpractice claims involving VA facilities, military medical facilities, Indian Health Service facilities, and other federally supported healthcare providers.
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What does it cost to hire Rawls Law Group for an FTCA case?
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Rawls Law Group handles medical malpractice cases on a contingency fee basis. In FTCA cases, attorney fees are limited by federal law and depend on whether the case resolves administratively or after suit is filed. We explain fees and case costs before representation begins.
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Do I need a lawyer in the state where the malpractice happened?
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Not necessarily. FTCA cases are federal claims, but they often depend on the medical malpractice law of the state where the negligent care occurred. Rawls Law Group handles FTCA medical malpractice claims nationwide and regularly works with the legal and medical issues that arise in cases across the country.
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What if the negligent provider was a contractor rather than a federal employee?
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This is an important issue. The FTCA generally applies to negligence by federal employees acting within the scope of employment. If the provider was an independent contractor, different rules may apply. Determining the provider’s status is often a critical part of evaluating an FTCA medical malpractice case.
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How does Rawls Law Group decide whether to take an FTCA medical malpractice case?
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We begin by learning what happened, identifying the facility and providers involved, and reviewing the available medical records. Some cases require review by medical experts before we can determine whether the standard of care was violated and whether that violation caused serious harm.
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Will filing a claim affect my VA benefits or medical care?
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Filing a claim should not be used as a basis to retaliate against a veteran or family member or interfere with medical care or benefits. Many veterans worry about this issue, and it is important to address it clearly.