Georgia VA & Military Spinal Cord Injury Malpractice Attorneys

Veterans and active duty service members trust Georgia's VA medical centers and military hospitals to protect their mobility and quality of life. Tragically, medical negligence during surgery, emergency care, or routine procedures can cause catastrophic spinal cord injuries, resulting in permanent paralysis and lifelong disability.

At the Archuleta Law Firm, our founding attorney brings a unique combination of medical and legal expertise as both a licensed physician and attorney. This dual background allows us to thoroughly understand the complex medical standards in spinal cord injury cases and identify negligence at federal medical facilities.

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury due to medical malpractice at a Georgia VA or military hospital, the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) provides legal rights. The FTCA allows victims to seek compensation from the U.S. government for substandard federal healthcare, but strict deadlines require experienced legal representation.

• Surgical Positioning Errors: Improper positioning during lengthy surgeries can compress the spinal cord or cause excessive stretching of spinal nerves, leading to permanent paralysis. Medical staff must follow established protocols for patient positioning and monitoring during all surgical procedures.

• Delayed Diagnosis of Spinal Compression: When emergency room physicians or specialists fail to recognize signs of spinal cord compression from tumors, infections, or hematomas, delayed treatment can result in irreversible paralysis that could have been prevented with prompt intervention.

• Medication Errors During Spinal Procedures: Administering incorrect medications or dosages during spinal injections, epidurals, or spinal anesthesia can cause chemical damage to spinal cord tissue, resulting in permanent neurological deficits.

• Failure to Stabilize Spinal Injuries: Improper patient immobilization or movement by emergency staff can worsen spinal cord damage and cause additional paralysis.

• Inadequate Post-Surgical Monitoring: Failing to recognize and treat post-operative complications such as spinal hematomas or infections can lead to spinal cord compression and permanent neurological damage when immediate intervention could have prevented these outcomes.

• Improper Intubation Techniques: Excessive neck manipulation during emergency intubation procedures can cause cervical spine injuries in patients with unstable spinal conditions, particularly when proper precautions are not taken.

Our firm represents spinal cord injury victims at major VA medical centers and military treatment facilities throughout Georgia where complex medical procedures and emergency care create risks for devastating injuries.

• Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (Augusta): This major VA medical center provides surgical services and emergency care where spinal cord injuries can occur during complex procedures or through failure to properly diagnose spinal emergencies.

• Atlanta VA Medical Center: As one of Georgia's largest VA facilities, this medical center handles high-risk surgical cases and trauma patients where positioning errors or surgical complications can cause spinal cord damage.

• Robins Air Force Base Medical Group (Warner Robins): This military treatment facility provides surgical and emergency services to active duty personnel and their families, where medical negligence during procedures can result in catastrophic spinal injuries.

• Fort Stewart Martin Army Community Hospital (Hinesville): This Army medical facility treats combat-related injuries and provides surgical care where improper treatment of spinal conditions can worsen existing injuries or create new paralysis.

View all Georgia VA & Military Facilities

• Sudden onset of paralysis or numbness following a routine medical procedure that was not explained as a known risk
• Healthcare providers failed to order appropriate imaging studies (MRI, CT scan) despite obvious neurological symptoms
• Significant delay in diagnosis or treatment after you reported back pain, weakness, or numbness to medical staff
• Medical records show confusion about your condition or conflicting treatment decisions among healthcare providers
• You were not properly positioned or monitored during surgery, and paralysis developed post-operatively
• Emergency room staff failed to immobilize your spine after trauma or moved you incorrectly before imaging was completed
• Post-surgical complications such as bleeding or infection were not promptly recognized and treated, leading to spinal cord compression

Economic Damages

Spinal cord injury victims in Georgia can recover substantial economic damages including lifetime medical expenses for rehabilitation, physical therapy, and adaptive equipment. Additional economic damages include lost wages and diminished earning capacity, home modification costs for wheelchair accessibility, ongoing attendant care expenses, prescription medications and medical supplies, and specialized transportation and mobility equipment costs.

Non-Economic Damages

Georgia law allows recovery for significant non-economic damages in spinal cord injury cases, including compensation for physical pain and suffering from the injury and its treatment, mental anguish and emotional distress from permanent disability, loss of enjoyment of life and inability to participate in previously enjoyed activities, and loss of consortium affecting relationships with spouses and family members.

Georgia's medical malpractice damage caps were struck down as unconstitutional in 2010 Georgia birth injury claims, meaning there are no statutory limits on damages in spinal cord injury cases. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, Georgia state law applies to determine damages and liability standards for cases occurring at federal facilities within the state. This means spinal cord injury victims can pursue full compensation without artificial caps limiting their recovery for catastrophic injuries that require lifetime care and support.

The Federal Tort Claims Act establishes a strict two-year deadline for filing administrative claims against the U.S. government for spinal cord injuries occurring at VA or military facilities. Under 28 U.S.C. § 2675, this deadline runs from the date of injury or discovery of the malpractice. Georgia's discovery rule may extend this deadline if the connection between medical negligence and spinal cord injury was not immediately apparent.

Georgia requires expert medical testimony to establish the standard of care and prove negligence in spinal cord injury cases. Medical experts must demonstrate how healthcare providers deviated from accepted medical standards and how this negligence directly caused the spinal cord damage. Our firm's medical background allows us to work effectively with qualified experts who understand the complex neurological and surgical issues involved in these cases.

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

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), you must file an administrative claim within two years of the injury or discovery of malpractice. After the government responds to your administrative claim, you have six months to file a federal lawsuit if your claim is denied.

Georgia allows recovery of both economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life). Since Georgia's damage caps were struck down in 2010, there are no statutory limits on compensation for catastrophic spinal cord injuries.

Georgia's medical malpractice damage caps were ruled unconstitutional in 2010, so they do not limit recovery in spinal cord injury cases. Under the FTCA, you can pursue full compensation for both economic and non-economic damages without artificial statutory caps.

You cannot sue individual military doctors personally, but you can file an FTCA claim against the U.S. government for negligence by federal employees. The government becomes liable for malpractice committed by military physicians and VA doctors acting within their official duties.

Yes, Georgia requires expert medical testimony to prove negligence and causation in spinal cord injury cases. Medical experts must establish the appropriate standard of care and explain how healthcare providers' actions fell below that standard, directly causing your spinal cord damage.

FTCA cases typically take 18 months to 3 years to resolve. The process begins with a mandatory administrative claim that can take 6-12 months for government review. If litigation becomes necessary, federal court proceedings for complex spinal cord injury cases often require additional time for medical expert discovery and case preparation.

Georgia's discovery rule may extend the FTCA deadline if you could not reasonably have known that medical negligence caused your spinal cord injury. The two-year deadline begins when you discover or should have discovered the connection between the malpractice and your injury.

Yes, spouses can recover damages for loss of consortium, and family members may recover for their own emotional distress and the impact of providing care. Georgia law recognizes that spinal cord injuries affect entire families, not just the injured person.

When you or a loved one has suffered paralysis, spinal cord damage, and nerve damage from medical negligence at a Georgia 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 Spinal Cord Injury 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 Spinal Cord Injury cases.

• Georgia FTCA Experience: We have successfully handled Federal Tort Claims Act cases involving Georgia 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 Georgia, with dedicated knowledge of federal medical malpractice law.

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

If you or a loved one suffered paralysis, spinal cord damage, and nerve damage from medical negligence at a Georgia 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 Georgia Spinal Cord Injury victims. Our Georgia Spinal Cord Injury 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 Georgia 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.

Georgia VA Malpractice Information

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

Other Georgia Case Types We Handle

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

Spinal Cord Injury Resources

• Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers (Nationwide) - General Spinal Cord Injury 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're a veteran or military family member dealing with a spinal cord injury in Georgia due to VA medical negligence, understanding the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) process is crucial for protecting your rights. The FTCA allows you to seek compensation when negligent medical care at a VA facility results in serious injuries, but you must act within strict timeframes.

You have two years from the date of injury or when you reasonably should have discovered the injury to file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95. Once you submit this claim, the VA has six months to investigate and respond. If the VA denies your claim or fails to respond within six months, you then have six months to file a federal lawsuit. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation.

Having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can significantly strengthen your spinal cord injury case. These specialized professionals understand both the complex medical aspects of spinal cord injuries and the legal intricacies of FTCA claims. They can effectively analyze medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and articulate how proper medical treatment could have prevented your injury. This dual expertise is particularly valuable when challenging the VA's medical decisions and establishing causation.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be entitled to recover various damages, including past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, necessary home modifications, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity. You can also seek compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and the impact on your family relationships. For veterans with spinal cord injuries, these damages often include long-term care needs and adaptive equipment costs.

Don't navigate this complex process alone. Many experienced FTCA attorneys offer free initial case evaluations to review your situation and explain your options. During this consultation, you can learn about the strength of your case, potential compensation, and the next steps in the claims process. Remember, working with an attorney who understands both military medical systems and spinal cord injuries can significantly impact your case's outcome.

Given the complexity of these cases and the strict deadlines involved, it's recommended to seek legal guidance as soon as possible to protect your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for your service-related injury.

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

• Georgia Surgical Errors Cases
• Georgia Emergency Room Errors Cases
• Georgia Brain Injury Cases
• Georgia Misdiagnosis Cases
• Georgia Medication Errors Cases
• Georgia Wrongful Death Cases