Connecticut VA & Military Wrongful Death Malpractice Attorneys

Medical negligence at VA medical centers or military hospitals devastates Connecticut veterans and military families, especially knowing their loved one's death was preventable. These preventable deaths represent not just personal tragedies, but violations of the trust placed in our federal healthcare system.

The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) governs claims against federal facilities, while Connecticut General Statutes Section 52-555 requires filing wrongful death claims within two years. At the Archuleta Law Firm, our founding attorney is both a licensed attorney and medical doctor, providing unmatched expertise in evaluating medical standards of care. With over $145 million recovered for clients and 25+ years of FTCA experience, we understand both the medical complexities and legal requirements of these challenging cases.

If your loved one died due to medical negligence at a Connecticut VA or military facility, you have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act. The FTCA requires specific administrative procedures and has strict deadlines, making experienced representation essential for protecting your family's interests.

• Failure to Diagnose Critical Conditions: When medical staff miss signs of heart attacks, strokes, sepsis, or other life-threatening conditions, delayed treatment can result in preventable death. This constitutes malpractice when the symptoms were present and should have been recognized by competent medical professionals.

• Medication Errors and Drug Interactions: Fatal medication mistakes, including wrong dosages, incorrect medications, or failure to check for dangerous drug interactions, represent clear departures from accepted medical standards that can lead to wrongful death.

• Surgical Complications and Errors: Deaths resulting from preventable surgical mistakes, such as operating on wrong body parts, leaving instruments inside patients, or failing to properly monitor patients during surgery, constitute medical malpractice when they fall below the standard of care.

• Emergency Room Negligence: Failure to properly triage patients, delayed treatment of emergency conditions, or premature discharge of patients experiencing medical emergencies can result in wrongful death when proper protocols would have saved the patient's life.

• Inadequate Post-Operative Care: Deaths occurring due to failure to monitor patients after surgery, missing signs of infection, or inadequate wound care represent malpractice when the death could have been prevented through proper post-operative protocols.

• Mismanaged Chronic Conditions: When healthcare providers fail to properly manage diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or other chronic conditions, resulting in preventable complications and death, this may constitute medical malpractice.

We represent families in wrongful death cases throughout Connecticut's federal medical facilities, where complex medical care and emergency situations can lead to fatal mistakes when proper standards aren't followed.

Major facilities where wrongful death cases may arise include:

• VA Connecticut Healthcare System (West Haven): As Connecticut's primary VA medical center, this facility handles complex medical cases where diagnostic errors or treatment delays can prove fatal.

• Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory (Groton): Military personnel receiving medical care at this specialized facility may face unique medical risks requiring expert evaluation.

• Coast Guard Academy Medical Clinic (New London): While smaller in scope, medical emergencies and treatment decisions at military medical facilities can have life-or-death consequences.

• Connecticut National Guard Medical Facilities: Guard members receiving medical care at various state facilities may encounter malpractice situations requiring FTCA expertise.

View all Connecticut VA & Military Facilities

• Sudden, unexpected death following routine medical procedures or treatments that should have had low risk of complications
• Death occurring after medical staff dismissed or failed to investigate serious symptoms your loved one reported
• Fatal complications that developed after obvious warning signs were present but ignored by healthcare providers
• Death following emergency room visits where your loved one was sent home despite continuing symptoms
• Preventable infections that became fatal due to inadequate monitoring or delayed antibiotic treatment
• Death occurring when multiple doctors provided conflicting diagnoses or treatments without proper coordination
• Fatal medication reactions when your loved one's medical history should have prevented the prescription of certain drugs

Economic Damages

Connecticut wrongful death law allows recovery for specific financial losses resulting from your loved one's death. Under Connecticut General Statutes Section 52-555, compensable economic damages include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, and lost income your loved one would have contributed over their lifetime. For younger victims or those in high-earning professions, lost income calculations can reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Additional economic damages may include the value of services your loved one provided to the household, such as childcare, home maintenance, or financial management.

Non-Economic Damages

Connecticut law recognizes the profound emotional impact of wrongful death through non-economic damages. These include loss of companionship, addressing the emotional void and loss of guidance caused by the death. Connecticut also allows recovery for the pain and suffering your loved one endured before passing, when applicable. The loss of consortium for surviving spouses and the impact on parent-child relationships are additional non-economic damages that may be recoverable.

Connecticut-Specific Considerations

Connecticut does not impose damage caps on medical malpractice wrongful death cases, unlike some states that limit recovery amounts. However, for FTCA claims against federal facilities, damages are calculated according to the law of the state where the incident occurred—meaning Connecticut's favorable damage framework applies to your federal claim. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2674), the United States is liable for damages in the same manner as a private individual would be under Connecticut law, ensuring full compensation is available for qualifying cases.

Statute of Limitations

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2401), wrongful death claims against VA or military hospitals must be filed within two years of the date of death. This federal deadline is strict and absolute—there is no discovery rule extension for FTCA claims. Connecticut's general wrongful death statute (Connecticut General Statutes Section 52-555) also imposes a two-year limitation period, but the federal deadline controls for claims against government facilities.

Expert Witness Requirements

Connecticut requires expert medical testimony to establish the standard of care and prove that departures from that standard caused the wrongful death. The expert must be qualified in the same medical specialty as the defendant healthcare provider and must be familiar with the standards of care applicable at the time of treatment. For FTCA cases, these expert witness requirements help demonstrate that federal healthcare providers failed to meet the same standards expected of private physicians.

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

For wrongful death claims against Connecticut VA or military hospitals, the Federal Tort Claims Act imposes a strict two-year deadline from the date of death. Unlike some medical malpractice cases, there is no discovery rule that extends this deadline, making prompt legal action essential.

Connecticut General Statutes Section 52-555 allows recovery for medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering the deceased endured before death. Connecticut does not cap damages in medical malpractice wrongful death cases, allowing full compensation for qualifying losses.

Connecticut does not impose damage caps on medical malpractice wrongful death cases, which is favorable compared to states that limit recovery. For FTCA claims, this means the full range of Connecticut damages applies to your federal claim against VA or military hospitals.

You cannot sue individual military doctors personally, but you can file an FTCA claim against the United States government for the negligent acts of federal healthcare providers. The FTCA provides the exclusive remedy for medical malpractice at military and VA facilities.

Yes, Connecticut requires qualified medical expert testimony to prove the standard of care and establish that departures from that standard caused the wrongful death. The expert must be familiar with the medical specialty involved and the applicable standards of care.

FTCA wrongful death cases typically take 18 months to 3 years, depending on case complexity and whether settlement negotiations are successful. The process begins with a mandatory administrative claim that must be filed before any lawsuit, adding time to the overall process.

Under Connecticut law, only the executor or administrator of the deceased person's estate can file a wrongful death claim. The compensation recovered benefits surviving family members such as spouses, children, and parents according to Connecticut's statutory framework.

FTCA cases require specific administrative procedures before filing suit, have different deadlines, and are filed against the United States government rather than individual doctors. However, the damages available are determined by Connecticut state law, ensuring full compensation remains available.

When you or a loved one has suffered preventable deaths due to medical negligence at VA and military hospitals at a Connecticut VA or military facility, you need attorneys who understand both medicine and law. The Archuleta Law Firm offers a unique combination of expertise:

• Doctor-Attorney on Staff: Our founding attorney holds both an MD and JD, providing unmatched insight into Wrongful Death cases and the medical standards of care that were violated.

• Proven Results: Over $145 million recovered for military and VA medical malpractice victims nationwide, including complex Wrongful Death cases.

• Connecticut FTCA Experience: We have successfully handled Federal Tort Claims Act cases involving Connecticut VA medical centers and military treatment facilities.

• No Fee Unless We Win: You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all case costs and expenses.

• Nationwide Practice: Licensed to handle FTCA cases in all 50 states, including Connecticut, with dedicated knowledge of federal medical malpractice law.

• Compassionate Approach: We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that Wrongful Death takes on families. Our team is here to support you through every step of the legal process.

If you or a loved one suffered preventable deaths due to medical negligence at VA and military hospitals at a Connecticut VA medical center or military hospital, you may be entitled to significant compensation under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

The Archuleta Law Firm offers free, confidential case evaluations for Connecticut Wrongful Death victims. Our Connecticut Wrongful Death attorneys will:

• Review your medical records and case details at no cost
• Explain your legal rights under the FTCA
• Assess the strength of your potential claim
• Answer your questions about the Connecticut legal process
• Discuss the compensation you may be entitled to recover

Don't wait - the FTCA has strict deadlines for filing claims. Contact us today to protect your rights.

Call 1-800-798-9529 for a free consultation, or Request Your Free Case Evaluation Online.

Connecticut VA Malpractice Information

• Military & VA Medical Malpractice in Connecticut - Complete guide to filing claims in Connecticut, including facility listings and legal requirements

Other Connecticut Case Types We Handle

• Connecticut Surgical Errors Cases
• Connecticut Emergency Room Errors Cases
• Connecticut Brain Injury Cases

Wrongful Death Resources

• Wrongful Death Lawyers (Nationwide) - General Wrongful Death information
• FTCA Claims Process - Understanding the Federal Tort Claims Act
• Standard Form 95 Guide - How to complete the required claim form

Contact Us

• Phone: 1-800-798-9529
• Free Case Evaluation

If you've lost a loved one due to negligent medical care at a VA facility in Connecticut, you have important legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, these cases have strict deadlines and procedures you must follow. You have two years from the date of death or when you reasonably should have known about the negligence to file your claim. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your right to seek compensation.

The FTCA process begins with filing a Standard Form 95 with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Once filed, the VA has six months to investigate and respond to your claim. Only after this administrative process can you file a lawsuit in federal court if the claim is denied or inadequately settled.

Having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial for military medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. These cases often involve complex medical issues that require both legal and medical expertise to properly evaluate and prove. A doctor-attorney can better identify deviations from the standard of care, analyze medical records, and effectively communicate with expert witnesses who will be essential to your case.

Through an FTCA wrongful death claim, you may be able to recover various types of damages. These can include medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost wages and benefits (including military benefits), loss of companionship, and compensation for the pain and suffering your loved one experienced before death. Connecticut state law will determine specific aspects of recoverable damages.

The process of pursuing an FTCA claim while grieving the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. You don't have to navigate this alone. Many attorneys who specialize in military medical malpractice offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case and explain your options. During this consultation, you can learn about the strength of your case, potential compensation, and the next steps in the legal process.

Time is critical in these cases, both for preserving evidence and meeting FTCA deadlines. If you believe your loved one's death resulted from negligent care at a VA facility, consider reaching out for a free case evaluation. An experienced attorney can help ensure your rights are protected while you focus on healing.

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