Articles

Medical Malpractice in VA Hospitals Is Increasing

April 30, 2015

More and more veterans are becoming the targets of medical malpractice, and over the next four years, researchers project that these numbers will only continue to increase, as an estimated 1.2 million more military personnel will be added to the veteran pool.

These troubling statistics have come out of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), which employs roughly 19,000 physicians in more than 150 VA hospitals throughout the U.S.  According to the VA, more than 22 million veterans are treated in its facilities every year. Since 2002, there has been a nearly 33 percent increase in the number of veterans seeking care at VA facilities.

Given the scope of the VA’s facilities – as well as the predicted influx of veterans who may be seeking care at these facilities in the near future, the VA may have some serious work ahead of it when it comes to protecting veterans who may be exposed to medical negligence.

A Closer Look at Medical Malpractice in VA Hospitals 

Veteran clinic medical malpractice resulted in nearly $92 million in settlements being paid out in 2013 to veterans who were the victims of medical malpractice. While the medical negligence that led to these payouts has commonly stemmed from misdiagnoses and delayed treatments for veterans, in the worst cases, veterans seeking treatment in VA health care facilities have:

• Been exposed to outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease
• Been exposed to HIV
• Been paralyzed or otherwise gravely injured during routine medical procedures. 

What may be just as shocking as this information is the finding – from Congressional investigations – that:

• There is a lack of accountability for VA doctors.
• There is minimal incentive for VA facilities to try to deter or prevent medical malpractice.

This may be related to the fact that, when medical malpractice cases against the VA hospitals are successful, the resulting awards to plaintiffs (i.e., the subjects of medical malpractice) are paid out of the U.S. Treasury budget – rather than directly by VA facilities. This, in turn, means that taxpayers – and NOT the facilities responsible for further injuring veterans as a result of malpractice – end up footing the bill in these cases.

What do you think about these findings? Share your thoughts with us on social media.

Military Medical Malpractice Lawyers at the Law Firm of Brown Law

The military medical malpractice lawyers at the Law Firm of Brown Law have the skill and experience to get you the justice you deserve. Although no amount of money can ever make up for an injury or wrongful death caused by medical malpractice, the compensation we could help you recover will go a long way in covering medical costs and the pain and suffering you have endured. To encourage injured parties to learn more about their legal rights, our law firm provides free initial consultations, consideration even if another law firm has turned you down and availability 24 hours a day seven days a week.

When brave men and women like you take on the challenge of protecting our country’s freedom, they deserve the best in legal representation. At Brown Law, we never charge any fees unless we are able to secure the compensation you deserve. Please call us toll-free at 1-877-695-8757 24 hours a day seven days a week. You can also email us using the online form at the upper right-hand side of the screen.

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