Medical Malpractice at
Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center

The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, is a key healthcare hub for veterans in the Eastern Colorado Health Care System. The facility opened in 2018 and provides emergency care, specialized surgery, cardiology, and mental health treatment across its 1.2 million square feet.

While the facility strives to maintain high standards of care, medical errors and negligence can still occur, potentially causing serious harm to veterans who depend on these services. When medical malpractice happens at this facility, veterans have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to seek compensation for their injuries.

Our firm's founder, a licensed physician and attorney, offers unique medical and legal expertise to VA medical malpractice cases. This background allows us to evaluate complex medical issues in Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center cases and navigate the FTCA claims process.

The Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center is a state-of-the-art VA medical facility featuring 306 authorized beds and spanning 1.2 million square feet. Built at a cost of $1.7 billion and opened in 2018, this facility replaced the older Denver VA Medical Center to better serve veterans in the region.

As an academic affiliate of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the medical center serves as a teaching facility while offering comprehensive healthcare services. Key specialties include cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine, mental health services, and specialized care for spinal cord injuries.

The facility is crucial to Colorado's VA healthcare network, serving veterans throughout the Eastern Colorado Health Care System. Director Michael Kilmer leads the medical center's coordination with other VA facilities, providing integrated care and maintaining academic research partnerships.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's extensive surgical services, including cardiovascular and neurosurgery, errors can occur during complex procedures. Common issues include wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, and anesthesia complications. birth injury claims → Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Department Mistakes: The 24/7 emergency department handles critical cases where delayed treatment or misdiagnosis can have severe consequences. Veterans may experience prolonged wait times or inadequate triage decisions. Learn more about emergency room errors →

• Diagnostic Errors: With many specialty departments, missed or delayed diagnoses can occur if providers don't order tests or interpret results properly. This is particularly critical in cardiology and oncology cases. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: The complexity of VA electronic health records and multiple provider involvement can lead to medication mistakes, including incorrect dosing or dangerous drug interactions.

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 at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. This initial claim must be filed using Standard Form 95 (SF-95) with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

For claims involving care at this facility, administrative claims should be filed with: VA Regional Counsel 1700 North Wheeling Street Aurora, CO 80045

Critical deadlines apply to these claims. Veterans must file their administrative claim within two years of when they knew or should have known about their injury and its cause. 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 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 FTCA claims follow federal law, certain Colorado state laws may impact your case. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 13-80-102.5, medical malpractice claims generally must be filed within two years. However, the FTCA's timing requirements take precedence for VA claims.

Colorado has established damage caps for medical malpractice cases, but these state limitations generally don't apply to FTCA claims, which are governed by federal law. For detailed information about how state and federal laws interact in your case, see our Colorado VA medical malpractice guide.

You must first file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 with the VA Regional Counsel office. This claim must detail your injury and requested damages, supported by medical evidence. Our doctor-attorney team can help properly document your claim.

What is the deadline for filing a claim against Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center?

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

Can I sue Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center directly?

No, you cannot sue the facility directly. Under the FTCA, your claim must be filed against the United States government, not individual VA employees or facilities. The proper defendant is always the United States.

What damages can I recover for malpractice at Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center?

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. The FTCA allows for actual damages proven, though punitive damages are not permitted.

Do I need a Colorado attorney for my Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center claim?

While not required, working with attorneys experienced in both medicine and FTCA claims significantly improves your chances of success. Our firm handles VA medical malpractice cases nationwide with our doctor-attorney's unique expertise.

How long does the claims process take?

After filing your administrative claim, the VA has 6 months to investigate and respond. If denied or no response is received, you have 6 months to file a federal lawsuit. The total timeline varies but typically ranges from several months to several years.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Colorado facilities:

• Evans Army Community Hospital (Colorado Springs) →
• Grand Junction VA Medical Center (Grand Junction) →

If you've experienced medical negligence at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, you need to understand your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This federal law allows veterans and their families to seek compensation when VA healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care.

Time is critical in FTCA claims. You must file your administrative claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the negligence and resulting injury. This is done by submitting Standard Form 95 to the VA. Once filed, 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 at facilities like Rocky Mountain Regional, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be invaluable. These specialized professionals can quickly identify deviations from the standard of care, understand complex medical records, and effectively communicate with VA medical experts. They can determine whether your care met accepted medical standards and build a stronger case for compensation.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover various types of damages. These can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering. If you've lost a family member due to VA medical negligence, you may be entitled to wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses and loss of companionship.

Don't wait to explore your legal options if you believe you've experienced medical negligence at the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center. Most experienced FTCA attorneys offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case and explain your rights. They can review your medical records, assess whether you have a viable claim, and guide you through the complex FTCA process. These cases are typically handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay attorney fees unless you receive compensation.

To protect your rights and ensure you meet critical deadlines, contact an experienced FTCA attorney right away for a free, confidential evaluation of your potential claim. You've served our country - now let a qualified professional serve you by fighting for the compensation you deserve.

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 →