Washington, DCNot all errors in hospitals are the result of medical malpractice. In order for medical malpractice to occur a physician or other health care professional has to have treated a patient in a manner that deviates from a reasonable standard of care. An injury or death that results from substandard care is generally considered medical malpractice. Some of the more common causes of medical malpractice errors in diagnosing, surgical complications, errors in medications, failure to receive informed consent, and failure to provide treatment.
Among complaints about
Veterans Administration hospitals are that the hospitals are not properly cleaned, staff members are not properly supervised, medical staff does not provide adequate medical care, doctors misdiagnose veterans' injuries and hospital equipment is not properly cleaned. In one recent incident, the VA sent out a letter to veterans warning that due to unsanitary equipment patients who had a prostate biopsy should be checked for Hepatitis C or AIDS.
The rules and guidelines for filing VA-related medical malpractice claims can make filing the claims difficult for veterans. There is a statute of limitations that sets out when a claim must be filed by and rules that set out specific forms that must be filed. The VA system has six months to review a claim and a private suit can only be brought in federal court if a settlement is not reached in that time or if the VA does not get back to the claimant.
If you or a loved one was injured by medical malpractice while in the care of Veterans' Administration, contact a lawyer to discuss your options. Because of the statute of limitations it is a good idea to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. People filing claims regarding medical malpractice at a VA health care center may be entitled to compensation for physical impairment, economic damages (i.e. medical expenses) and non-economic damages (i.e. emotional distress).
