Medical Malpractice at
Evans Army Community Hospital

Evans Army Community Hospital (EACH) serves as the primary military medical facility for Fort Carson and the greater Colorado Springs area, providing essential healthcare services to active duty service members, their families, and military retirees. As a Level III trauma center serving approximately 71,000 beneficiaries in the Pikes Peak Region, this facility handles everything from routine medical care to complex surgeries and emergency services.

Evans Army Community Hospital generally provides quality care, but preventable medical errors still occur. When military healthcare providers fail to deliver appropriate care, patients may suffer serious injuries or worse. As both a licensed physician and attorney, our firm's founder understands the complex medical and legal issues involved in military medical malpractice cases.

If you're harmed by negligent care at Evans Army Community Hospital, the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) offers a way to seek compensation. Our firm's unique combination of medical and legal expertise allows us to thoroughly evaluate potential claims and help military families navigate the complicated FTCA claims process.

Established in 1941, Evans Army Community Hospital has served the Fort Carson military community for over 80 years. Named after Medal of Honor recipient Specialist Four Donald W. Evans Jr., an Army combat medic, the facility recently completed a $524 million renovation and expansion in 2020 to enhance its capabilities and modernize its facilities.

The hospital provides comprehensive medical services including general surgery, orthopedic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and various specialty care programs. As a Level III trauma center, EACH maintains 24/7 emergency services and can handle most trauma cases, though the most severe cases may be transferred to nearby civilian trauma centers.

Evans Army Community Hospital, under Col. Kevin Bass's command, serves as a crucial part of Colorado's military healthcare network with both military and civilian staff. The facility serves the large military population in the Colorado Springs area while coordinating with other military and VA facilities across the state.

• Birth Injuries: Military hospitals like EACH handle thousands of deliveries annually. Common birth injuries can result from delayed C-sections, improper use of delivery tools, or failure to monitor fetal distress. Learn more about birth injury claims in Colorado.

• Surgical Errors: With its busy surgical department, preventable errors such as wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, or anesthesia mistakes can occur. Military surgeons face similar pressures and risks as civilian counterparts. See our guide to surgical error claims.

• Emergency Room Mistakes: As a Level III trauma center, EACH's emergency department handles critical cases daily. Delayed treatment, misdiagnosis, or failure to order appropriate tests can have devastating consequences. Read about emergency room error claims.

• Medication Errors: Military pharmacies and providers can make serious medication mistakes, including incorrect dosing, drug interactions, or administration errors. These errors are often system-wide issues in military facilities.

• Diagnostic Failures: Missed or delayed diagnoses, particularly for serious conditions like cancer or heart disease, can result from rushed appointments or inadequate follow-up common in military healthcare settings.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), patients injured by negligent care at Evans Army Community Hospital must first file an administrative claim before pursuing litigation. This claim must be filed with the appropriate military branch - in this case, the Department of the Army.

Submit your administrative claim (Standard Form 95) to:

Department of the Army Claims Office Fort Carson Office of the Staff Judge Advocate Building 6222, 1633 Mekong Street Fort Carson, CO 80913

Strict deadlines apply to FTCA claims. You must file your administrative claim within two years of discovering your injury. Once filed, the agency has six months to investigate and respond. If your claim is denied or the six-month period expires without a response, you have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

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

While Colorado's medical malpractice laws generally require claims to be filed within two years (C.R.S. § 13-80-102.5), FTCA claims are governed by federal law. However, Colorado's damage caps and standards of care may still influence FTCA cases. Colorado caps non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases at $300,000 (C.R.S. § 13-64-302), though federal courts may apply these differently in FTCA claims.

You must first file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 with the Department of the Army within two years of discovering your injury. Our doctor-attorney team can help prepare this crucial documentation and supporting evidence.

What Are the Filing Deadlines?

You have two years from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) your injury to file an administrative claim. Missing this deadline usually bars you from seeking compensation.

Can I sue Evans Army Community Hospital directly?

No, you cannot sue the hospital or its employees directly. The FTCA requires you to bring your claim against the United States government, following specific administrative procedures.

What damages can I recover for malpractice at Evans Army Community Hospital?

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Under the FTCA, punitive damages are not recoverable against the federal government.

Do I need a Colorado attorney for my Evans Army Community Hospital claim?

While not required, having an attorney experienced in both military medical malpractice and FTCA claims is crucial. These cases involve complex federal laws and medical issues that require specialized expertise.

What if I'm still on active duty at Fort Carson?

The Feres Doctrine prevents active duty service members from filing claims for injuries incident to service. However, family members and retirees can file claims, and service members can file claims for injuries unrelated to their service.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Colorado facilities:

• Grand Junction VA Medical Center (Grand Junction) →
• Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (Aurora) →

If you've experienced medical malpractice at Evans Army Community Hospital in Colorado Springs, you need to understand your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). As a veteran or military family member, the FTCA provides your path to seeking compensation for medical negligence at this federal facility, but the process involves strict deadlines and specific requirements.

You must file your FTCA claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the medical negligence. This is done by submitting Standard Form 95 to the Department of Defense. Once filed, the agency 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 cases involving Evans Army Community Hospital, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your success. These specialized professionals understand both the complex medical issues and the unique legal requirements of military medical malpractice claims. They can effectively review your medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and present compelling evidence to support your claim.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover various damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. If you've lost a loved one due to medical negligence at Evans, you may be entitled to wrongful death damages. Unlike civilian cases, FTCA claims don't allow for punitive damages, but the compensation can still be substantial when properly documented and pursued.

Don't wait to explore your legal options. Many experienced FTCA attorneys offer free case evaluations to veterans and military families affected by medical negligence at Evans Army Community Hospital. During this consultation, you can learn about your rights, understand the strength of your case, and get guidance on your next steps. Remember, these cases are complex and time-sensitive - seeking professional legal guidance early can make a significant difference in protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.

Contact a qualified attorney with both medical and legal expertise to evaluate your potential claim against Evans Army Community Hospital. The initial consultation is free, and most FTCA attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case.

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

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