Medical Malpractice at
Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System

The Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System is the main VA medical facility in Anchorage, providing key healthcare to Alaska veterans. As a comprehensive medical center, it offers a wide range of services including primary care, specialty care, mental health treatment, and various surgical procedures.

Medical errors and negligence can occur at this facility, despite most veterans receiving appropriate care. When veterans suffer harm due to substandard care, they have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to seek compensation. However, these cases require specialized knowledge of both medicine and federal law.

As a law firm led by a licensed physician-attorney, we bring unique medical and legal expertise to VA malpractice cases. Our understanding of both clinical standards of care and federal tort law allows us to effectively advocate for veterans who have experienced medical negligence at the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus.

Located at 1201 North Muldoon Road in Anchorage, this VA Medical Center is named after Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson, a distinguished leader who served as Director of the Women's Army Corps. The facility operates under the leadership of Director Thomas Steinbrunner and serves as the cornerstone of VA healthcare delivery in Alaska.

The medical center provides comprehensive healthcare services including primary care, mental health treatment, audiology, dental care, dermatology, gastroenterology, and specialized LGBTQ+ care. It also maintains dedicated programs for homeless veterans and women's health services, reflecting its commitment to serving diverse veteran populations.

As the state's main VA facility, the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus ensures veterans across Alaska's vast territory have access to healthcare. The facility coordinates with other VA clinics and provides specialized services that may not be available elsewhere in the Alaska VA healthcare system.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's surgical services, errors can occur during procedures, including wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, or post-operative complications. These incidents often result from breakdowns in communication or from not following established protocols. birth injury claims → Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Diagnostic Failures: Delayed or missed diagnoses can occur when providers fail to properly evaluate symptoms or order appropriate tests. This is particularly critical in cases involving serious conditions like cancer or cardiac issues. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: Mistakes in prescribing, dispensing, or administering medications can lead to serious harm. These errors may involve incorrect dosages, drug interactions, or failure to account for patient allergies.

• Treatment Delays: Veterans may experience harmful delays in receiving necessary care, particularly for specialized services. Such delays can lead to worsened conditions or complications.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), veterans must first file an administrative claim before pursuing legal action for medical malpractice. This process begins with submitting Standard Form 95 (Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death) to the appropriate VA Regional Counsel office.

You must file claims for Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus incidents within two years of discovering the malpractice. The VA then has six months to investigate and respond to the claim. If the claim is denied or the six-month period expires without a response, you have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

Your initial claim must include all relevant medical records, proof of damages, and a clear description of the negligent care. The administrative claim must demand a specific amount of money, and any later lawsuit cannot exceed this amount unless new evidence justifies more.

For complete step-by-step instructions, see our comprehensive guide: How to File a VA Medical Malpractice Claim in Alaska →

While FTCA claims are governed by federal law, certain Alaska state laws may influence your case. Under Alaska Statute § 09.55.536, medical malpractice claims typically require expert review. However, FTCA claims follow federal procedures rather than state requirements for initial filing.

Alaska's damage caps may provide guidance for FTCA settlements, but federal law ultimately determines compensation in VA malpractice cases. For detailed information about state-specific considerations, visit our Alaska VA Medical Malpractice Guide →

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Alaska facilities:

• Bassett Army Community Hospital (Fort Wainwright) →

If you've experienced medical negligence at the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System in Anchorage, you have specific rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, pursuing a claim requires careful attention to strict deadlines and procedural requirements.

You must file your FTCA claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the injury and its cause. This is done by submitting Standard Form 95 to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Once you file, the VA has six months to investigate and respond to your claim. If they deny your claim or fail to respond within six months, you then have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

For VA medical malpractice cases in Alaska, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your success. These specialized professionals can quickly identify deviations from the standard of care and understand complex medical records specific to VA protocols. They can effectively communicate with VA healthcare providers at the Rasmuson Campus and understand the unique challenges veterans face in the VA healthcare system.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be entitled to recover various damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. For veterans in Alaska, this can include additional costs like specialized medical transport or adaptive equipment needed due to medical negligence. Family members may also be entitled to compensation for loss of support and companionship.

Given the complexity of FTCA claims against the Anchorage VA facility and the strict deadlines involved, it's important to have your case evaluated as soon as possible. Many attorneys who specialize in VA medical malpractice offer free initial consultations to review your medical records and discuss your options. This allows you to understand the strength of your case without any financial commitment. During this evaluation, they can also ensure all necessary documentation is properly prepared to meet FTCA requirements specific to Alaska federal courts.

Don't wait to explore your legal options. Contact a qualified medical malpractice attorney with experience in VA claims for a free, confidential case evaluation. Your rights and potential compensation depend on taking timely action.

We handle various types of VA and military medical malpractice cases in Alaska:

• Alaska Surgical Errors Cases →
• Alaska Emergency Room Errors Cases →
• Alaska Brain Injury Cases →
• Alaska Spinal Cord Injury Cases →
• Alaska Misdiagnosis Cases →
• Alaska Medication Errors Cases →