Medical Malpractice at
C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center

The C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Florida, is a vital healthcare facility for veterans in the Tampa Bay area. This 415-bed medical center offers surgery, cardiology, mental health, and veteran programs, playing an essential role in veteran healthcare.

Medical errors and negligence can occur at any facility, even though most veterans receive appropriate care at C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. Veterans harmed by substandard care at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center can seek compensation for injuries under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).

Our firm brings unique expertise to VA medical malpractice cases through our doctor-attorney leadership. With medical and legal training, we understand the complex medical issues in VA hospital negligence cases and the FTCA claim procedures. This distinctive combination has helped us recover over $145 million for veterans and military families affected by medical malpractice.

Established in 1933, the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center (formerly Bay Pines VA Medical Center) has grown into one of Florida's largest and most comprehensive VA healthcare facilities. The medical center was renamed in 2014 through Public Law 113-49 to honor Congressman C.W. Bill Young's dedication to veterans' healthcare.

The facility has 415 beds and offers general surgery, orthopedics, cardiac care, mental health treatment, and specialized veterans' programs. The facility trains medical residents and fellows through its affiliation with the University of South Florida College of Medicine.

Under the leadership of Director Paul M. Russo, MHSA, FACHE, RD, the medical center provides both inpatient and outpatient care to veterans throughout the region. The facility offers specialized programs in areas such as spinal cord injury care, bariatric surgery, and comprehensive rehabilitation services, making it a crucial component of Florida's VA healthcare network.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's extensive surgical services, errors can occur during general, orthopedic, cardiac, or bariatric procedures. Common issues include wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, or post-operative complications. Learn more about surgical error claims →

• Emergency Department Mistakes: The 24/7 emergency department handles critical cases where delayed treatment or mismanagement can have devastating consequences. Veterans may experience delayed treatment, improper triage, or failure to recognize serious conditions. Learn more about emergency room errors →

• Diagnostic Errors: Failures or delays in diagnosing conditions like cancer, heart disease, or neurological disorders can lead to worse outcomes. This is particularly critical given the complex medical needs of many veterans. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: With the facility's large pharmacy services, veterans may suffer harm from incorrect medications, dosing errors, or dangerous drug interactions. These errors can occur in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), veterans must first file an administrative claim before pursuing a lawsuit for medical malpractice at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center. This claim is filed using Standard Form 95 (SF-95) and must detail the specific acts of negligence and resulting damages.

Claims related to care at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center should be filed with the VA Regional Counsel office serving Florida. The claim must include all necessary documentation, including medical records, evidence of damages, and expert opinions supporting the allegation of negligence.

Strict deadlines apply to these claims. Veterans must file their administrative claim within two years of discovering their injury. After filing, 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 Florida →

While Florida state medical malpractice laws (Florida Statutes § 766.104) typically impose certain requirements and damage caps, FTCA claims against the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center are governed by federal law. However, Florida's standard of care principles may still be relevant in determining whether malpractice occurred.

FTCA cases follow federal guidelines for damage calculations while considering Florida's methods for computing economic and non-economic losses. For detailed information about legal standards and compensation in VA medical malpractice cases, visit our Florida VA malpractice guide: Military & VA Medical Malpractice in Florida →

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Florida facilities:

• Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center (Miami) →
• Jacksonville North VA Clinic (Jacksonville) →
• James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (Tampa) →
• Lake Baldwin VA Clinic (Orlando) →
• Lake City VA Medical Center (Lake City) →

If you've experienced medical malpractice at the C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Florida, you have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, pursuing a claim against the VA requires following strict procedures and deadlines that differ from standard medical malpractice cases.

You must file your FTCA claim within two years from when you knew or should have known about the injury and its cause. This is done by submitting Standard Form 95 to 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 necessary.

For VA medical malpractice cases at Bay Pines, working with an attorney who is also a medical doctor provides crucial advantages. These specialized professionals can quickly identify deviations from the standard of care, understand complex medical records, and effectively communicate with VA healthcare providers. Their combined medical and legal expertise helps establish the direct connection between the VA's negligence and your injuries - a critical element for successful FTCA claims.

Through an FTCA claim, you can recover various damages related to medical negligence at Bay Pines VA Medical Center. These may include 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 be available, including funeral expenses and loss of companionship.

Don't let concerns about legal fees prevent you from seeking justice. Many attorneys who handle VA medical malpractice cases offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. To protect your rights, consider having your potential claim evaluated by an experienced FTCA attorney as soon as possible. A qualified attorney can review your medical records, assess the strength of your case, and ensure all necessary documentation is properly filed within the required timeframes. Remember, these cases are time-sensitive, and delay could jeopardize your right to compensation.

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

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