Medical Malpractice at
Grand Junction VA Medical Center

The Grand Junction VA Medical Center, officially known as the VA Western Colorado Health Care System, serves as the primary Veterans Affairs healthcare facility for veterans across Western Colorado and Eastern Utah. Located at 2121 North Avenue in Grand Junction, this medical center provides comprehensive healthcare services including emergency care, primary care, mental health services, and various specialty treatments to our nation's veterans.

Medical errors and negligence can occur at this facility despite most veterans receiving quality care. When veterans suffer harm due to substandard medical care, they have the right to seek compensation through the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, pursuing a claim against a VA facility requires specialized knowledge of both medical standards of care and federal tort law.

Archuleta Law Firm's physician-attorney leadership brings unique medical and legal expertise to VA malpractice cases. With over 25 years of experience and more than $145 million recovered for clients, we understand the complexities of proving medical negligence within the VA system.

Established in 1949, the Grand Junction VA Medical Center was originally built to serve tuberculosis patients with an initial capacity of 200 beds. Today, it has evolved into a comprehensive healthcare facility serving veterans throughout a vast geographic region spanning Western Colorado and portions of Eastern Utah.

The medical center provides emergency care, primary care, mental health treatment, cardiology, cancer care, rehabilitation services, and women's health programs. The facility maintains various specialty clinics and operates under the leadership of Executive Director Richard Salgueiro and Chief of Staff Dr. William Robinson.

This facility is part of the VA Western Colorado Health Care System and is crucial for veterans in the region to access comprehensive medical care. The center coordinates with other VA facilities across Colorado to provide seamless healthcare delivery for veterans requiring specialized treatments or procedures.

• Surgical Errors: At Grand Junction VA Medical Center, surgical mistakes can include wrong-site surgery, post-operative complications, or anesthesia errors. These often result from communication breakdowns or inadequate pre-operative planning. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Room Mistakes: The facility's 24/7 emergency department handles urgent veteran care, but errors in triage, delayed treatment, or misdiagnosis can lead to serious harm. VA staffing shortages often contribute to these issues. Learn more about emergency room errors →

• Diagnostic Errors: Missed or delayed diagnoses, particularly in cancer and cardiac cases, can have devastating consequences birth injury claims →. These errors often stem from rushed appointments or inadequate follow-up procedures. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: Veterans may receive incorrect medications, improper dosages, or experience dangerous drug interactions. These errors frequently occur due to electronic health record issues or pharmacy miscommunications.

Before suing the Grand Junction VA Medical Center, veterans must file an administrative claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675). This initial claim is filed using Standard Form 95 (SF-95) and must detail the specific incidents of negligence and resulting damages.

The claim should be filed with: VA Western Colorado Health Care System 2121 North Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501

With copies to: Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Regional Counsel (339/02) 1700 N. Broadway Denver, CO 80202

Strict deadlines apply to FTCA claims. Veterans must file their administrative claim within two years of discovering their injury. Once filed, the VA has six months to investigate and respond. If the claim is denied or the six-month period expires without a decision, veterans 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 state law typically limits medical malpractice damages under C.R.S. § 13-64-302, FTCA claims against the Grand Junction VA Medical Center are governed by federal law. However, Colorado's substantive medical malpractice laws still inform the standard of care requirements for proving negligence.

The complexities of navigating both federal and state regulations make it crucial to work with attorneys experienced in VA medical malpractice claims. For detailed information about Colorado-specific legal requirements, visit our main page on Military & VA Medical Malpractice in Colorado →

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Colorado facilities:

• Evans Army Community Hospital (Colorado Springs) →
• Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (Aurora) →

If you've experienced medical malpractice at the Grand Junction VA Medical Center in Colorado, you may be eligible to file a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This process allows veterans and their families to seek compensation when negligent medical care at VA facilities results in injury or death.

It's crucial to understand that FTCA claims have strict deadlines. You must file your administrative claim (using Standard Form 95) within two years from when you knew or should have known about the injury and its cause. Once you submit your claim, the VA has six months to respond. 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 Grand Junction, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can significantly strengthen your case. These specialized professionals can quickly identify deviations from the standard of care, understand complex medical records, and effectively communicate with expert witnesses. Their unique combination of medical and legal expertise helps establish the critical link between negligent care and your injuries.

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. For veterans' families pursuing wrongful death claims, additional damages may include funeral expenses and loss of companionship. Unlike private medical malpractice cases, FTCA claims don't allow for punitive damages.

The FTCA process can be particularly complex when dealing with the Grand Junction VA Medical Center, as these cases involve both federal law and Colorado medical malpractice standards. If you believe you've experienced medical negligence at this facility, you should seek a free case evaluation from an attorney experienced in VA medical malpractice claims. They can review your medical records, assess the strength of your case, and guide you through the complicated FTCA process while protecting your rights and interests. Time is critical in these cases, so don't delay in seeking legal counsel to evaluate your potential claim.

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 →