Medical Malpractice at
Malcom Randall VA Medical Center

The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida, is a key healthcare provider for veterans in North Florida and South Georgia. As a Level 1a facility, the VA's most complex designation, it provides comprehensive medical services to over 140,000 veterans each year across 50 counties.

Medical errors and negligence can occur despite the generally high quality of care at this facility. When veterans suffer harm due to substandard medical care, they have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to seek compensation. However, these cases require specialized knowledge of both medicine and federal law.

Our firm is uniquely qualified for VA medical malpractice cases because our legal team is led by both a licensed physician and an attorney. This doctor-lawyer perspective allows us to thoroughly evaluate the medical evidence while navigating the complex FTCA claims process that governs cases against the Gainesville VA Medical Center.

The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center is the main facility within the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System. The medical center, named after former director Malcom Randall (1956-1973), is affiliated with the University of Florida College of Medicine and supports residency and fellowship programs.

The facility, led by Executive Director David Isaacks and Associate Director Thomas Wisnieski, offers comprehensive services from addiction treatment to specialized veteran support programs. Its Level 1a designation reflects the highest level of complexity in the VA system, indicating advanced technological capabilities and specialized medical expertise.

The medical center provides both routine and complex medical care to diverse veterans throughout North Florida and South Georgia. As a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Florida, it plays a vital role in training the next generation of healthcare providers while delivering specialized care to America's veterans.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's role as a major surgical center, preventable surgical complications can occur. These may include wrong-site surgery, retained surgical instruments, or post-operative complications. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Room Mistakes: The busy emergency department sees thousands of veterans annually. Delayed treatment, misdiagnosis of serious conditions, or failure to properly triage patients can lead to devastating outcomes. Learn about emergency room error claims →

• Diagnostic Errors: With the facility's complex patient population, missed or delayed diagnoses are particularly concerning. Cancer, heart conditions, and neurological disorders are commonly misdiagnosed conditions. Understanding misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: The pharmacy system at large VA facilities can lead to medication mistakes, including incorrect dosing, drug interactions, or dispensing errors. These errors can cause serious harm or death. birth injury claims →

• Hospital-Acquired Infections: Despite infection control protocols, patients may develop preventable infections during their hospital stay, particularly following surgical procedures or with extended admissions.

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. This process begins by submitting Standard Form 95 (SF-95) to the appropriate VA Regional Counsel office detailing the negligent care and resulting damages.

For claims involving the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, administrative claims must be filed with the VA Regional Counsel serving Florida. The claim must include documentation of the medical negligence, evidence of harm, and a specific claim for damages.

Veterans must be aware of strict deadlines. The FTCA requires filing an administrative claim within two years of when the malpractice was discovered or should have been discovered. After filing, the VA has six months to investigate and respond. If the claim is denied or no response is received after six months, 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 →

Florida's medical malpractice statute of limitations (Fla. Stat. § 95.11(4)(b)) typically allows two years to file claims, which aligns with the FTCA's requirements. While Florida has certain damage caps for medical malpractice cases, these state limitations do not apply to FTCA claims against VA facilities.

However, FTCA claims must follow federal law and procedures, regardless of state requirements. For detailed information about how Florida law intersects with federal requirements, visit our Florida VA medical 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) →
• C.W. Bill Young VA Medical Center (Bay Pines) →
• Jacksonville North VA Clinic (Jacksonville) →
• James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital (Tampa) →
• Lake Baldwin VA Clinic (Orlando) →

If you've experienced medical negligence at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida, you need to understand your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). As a veteran or military family member, this federal law allows you to seek compensation when VA healthcare providers fail to meet the accepted standard of care.

The FTCA process begins with filing an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 within two years of when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury. Once you submit this claim to the VA, the agency has six months to investigate and 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 involving the Gainesville facility, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your success. These specialized professionals can quickly identify deviations from the standard of care, accurately evaluate medical records, and effectively communicate complex medical concepts to judges and jury members. Their unique combination of medical and legal expertise helps build stronger cases and typically leads to better outcomes for veterans and their families.

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 pain and suffering. In cases involving permanent disability or chronic conditions, the settlement may also account for long-term care needs and lifestyle modifications.

If you or a family member received substandard care at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, you're encouraged to seek a free case evaluation from an experienced FTCA attorney. During this consultation, you can discuss the specifics of your situation, learn about your legal options, and determine if you have a viable claim. Remember, these cases have strict deadlines and complex requirements, so it's important to act promptly to protect your rights. Many FTCA attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay unless they secure compensation for you.

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 →