A recent USA Today investigation shows we have a real problem in this country with medical malpractice against veterans.

According to the article, The Department of Veterans Affairs knowingly hired doctors with a history of medical malpractice problems, including issues with their licensing. These are doctors with multiple misconduct and malpractice accusations and prior settlements with patients who filed malpractice claims against them. And it would appear the VA hired them when no one else would, as though the men and women of our armed forces deserve less than the general public.

Why Are Veterans at Risk for Medical Malpractice?

Doctors in private practice carry their own malpractice insurance, and hospitals also carry insurance in case the larger facility needs to pay a victim. Once a doctor has a large number of claims against them, it can be hard to pay for malpractice insurance. Hospitals may also choose not to hire doctors who are too expensive to insure.

But the VA pays for medical malpractice claims out of taxpayer funds. This allows them to make riskier hires, because they won’t personally suffer the consequences. In one example, the VA hired a doctor at $385,000 who already had multiple claims of malpractice against him and one wrongful death claim. The Wyoming Board of Medicine revoked his license based on the wrongful death claim, but he maintained a license in Montana and moved on to work at the VA.

The newspaper also found stories of doctors hired to treat our veterans who had faced numerous disciplinary actions from medical boards and hospitals, including for sexual misconduct.

What To Do About Medical Malpractice Against Veterans

Unfortunately, many veterans feel they have to find medical help outside the VA, and the stories above might explain why. Private health care may provide higher quality and more protections against malpractice.

If you’re injured by medical malpractice, you should speak with a medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible. If your injury occurs at the VA, you can still file a claim. Your claim will likely fall under federal law and work a little differently than other malpractice cases.

People often assume medical malpractice lawsuits are a waste of money and drive up the cost of healthcare. They believe it benefits lawyers more than the American public. But in reality, sometimes filing a claim is the only recourse you have. You need to pay the medical bills from the doctor’s mistake, and you want to make sure it never happens to anyone else.

Hiring a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Memphis

As a veteran myself, these cases break my heart and remind me every day why I do what I do. You deserve better. Your families deserve better. Anyone who offers their life to the service of this country deserves the best medical care we can give them.

Our attorneys have fought and won major medical malpractice cases for years, and we take veterans’ issues seriously. If you have been injured by a doctor’s negligence or wrongdoing, let us help. We’ll investigate your case and give it the time and dedication it deserves. And we don’t win anything unless you do. You’ve fought for us, and you deserve someone who will fight for you.

Contact us today to get started.