Medical Malpractice at
West Haven VA Medical Center

The West Haven VA Medical Center provides Connecticut veterans comprehensive medical services, from routine care to complex surgeries. This 182-bed Yale-affiliated teaching hospital treats over 58,000 veterans annually, offering specialized cardiology, mental health, and the state's only VA dialysis services.

Medical errors and negligence can occur at West Haven VA Medical Center, 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, pursuing a claim against a VA facility requires extensive knowledge of both medicine and federal law.

The Archuleta Law Firm has a unique combination of medical and legal expertise. With a licensed physician-attorney and nurse on staff, we can thoroughly evaluate potential VA medical malpractice cases. With over 25 years of experience handling FTCA claims nationwide, we understand the complex interplay between VA healthcare operations and federal liability law.

The West Haven VA Medical Center operates as a 1a-High Complexity facility within the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. Established as part of the system's consolidation in 1995, this teaching hospital partners with Yale School of Medicine to train over 675 physicians, dentists, and healthcare workers annually. The facility maintains full accreditation from The Joint Commission and other leading healthcare quality organizations.

The medical center provides comprehensive services including cardiovascular surgery, cancer treatment, mental health care, and Connecticut's only VA dialysis center. Its nationally recognized programs include an advanced SPECT imaging center and the Errera Community Care Center, which delivers specialized mental health and rehabilitation services. The facility also operates both Medical Surgical and Cardiac ICUs to handle complex cases.

West Haven VA Medical Center is a cornerstone of veteran healthcare in Connecticut, serving over 58,000 veterans, including more than 4,600 women veterans. The facility works in conjunction with eight community-based outpatient clinics across Connecticut to ensure accessible care for veterans throughout the state.

• Surgical Errors: With both inpatient and outpatient surgical services, including cardiovascular procedures, surgical mistakes can lead to serious complications. Common issues include wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, and post-operative infections. Learn more about surgical error claims →

• Emergency Department Mistakes: The facility's emergency department handles numerous urgent cases daily. Errors in triage, delayed treatment, and mismanaged emergencies can have devastating consequences. Learn more about ER malpractice →

• Diagnostic Failures: As a high-complexity facility offering multiple specialties, accurate diagnosis is crucial. Missed or delayed diagnoses, particularly in cancer and cardiac cases, can result in worsened conditions. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Mental Health Treatment Errors: Given the facility's role as a center of excellence for serious mental illness, proper psychiatric care is essential. Medication errors, inadequate suicide prevention, and improper discharge can have serious consequences.

• Dialysis Complications: As Connecticut's only VA dialysis center, errors in dialysis treatment can affect patients throughout the state. Issues may include contamination, improper medication dosing, or equipment malfunctions.

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 by submitting Standard Form 95 (SF-95) to the appropriate VA Regional Counsel office, detailing the nature of the injury and damages sought.

Veterans have two years from the date they discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) their injury to file their administrative claim. Once submitted, the VA has six months to investigate and respond to the claim. If the claim is denied or the six-month period expires without a resolution, veterans have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

VA medical malpractice claims are complex and require careful attention to procedural requirements and deadlines. If you miss these deadlines or fail to properly document your claim, you could lose your right to compensation. Additionally, claims must be supported by medical evidence and expert opinions establishing both negligence and causation.

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

While Connecticut state law establishes a two-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584), FTCA claims follow federal timelines. Connecticut does not impose damage caps on medical malpractice awards, which can affect the compensation available in FTCA claims. However, federal law prohibits punitive damages in FTCA cases.

For detailed information about Connecticut-specific legal requirements and how they interact with federal law, visit our comprehensive guide: Military & VA Medical Malpractice in Connecticut →

If you've experienced medical malpractice or negligent care at the West Haven VA Medical Center in Connecticut, you have the right to pursue a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, these cases have strict deadlines and procedures you must follow to protect your rights.

You must file your FTCA claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the injury and its cause. This starts with filing an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 with the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA then has six months to investigate and respond to your claim. Only after this administrative process can you file a lawsuit in federal court, if necessary.

For cases involving the West Haven VA Medical Center, having an attorney who is also a licensed medical doctor can be crucial to your success. These doctor-attorneys understand both the complex medical issues involved and the specific legal requirements of VA malpractice cases. They can accurately evaluate medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and effectively communicate with medical experts - skills that are essential for building a strong FTCA claim.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover various types of damages. These can include compensation for additional medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, and pain and suffering caused by the negligent care. For veterans with service-connected disabilities who experienced worsening conditions due to VA negligence, your attorney can help ensure all related damages are properly calculated and claimed.

Given the complexity of FTCA claims and the specialized nature of VA medical malpractice, it's important to get professional legal guidance as soon as possible. Many law firms that focus on VA malpractice cases offer free initial case evaluations to help you understand your rights and options. During this consultation, an experienced attorney can review your situation, explain the FTCA process specific to Connecticut federal courts, and help you determine if you have a viable claim against the West Haven VA Medical Center.

Don't wait to seek help, as critical evidence may become harder to obtain with time. Contact a qualified doctor-attorney today for a free, confidential evaluation of your potential claim against the West Haven VA Medical Center.

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

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