Medical Malpractice at
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center

The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago represents a unique partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, serving veterans, active duty military, and their families throughout Illinois. As the nation's first and only fully integrated VA/DoD federal healthcare facility, it provides comprehensive medical services including cardiology, surgery, emergency care, and specialized veteran programs.

Medical errors and negligence can occur despite the facility's generally acceptable standard of care. When veterans or service members suffer harm due to substandard care at Lovell FHCC, they may have rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to seek compensation. However, these cases require specialized knowledge of both medicine and military medical malpractice law.

Our firm is led by a doctor-attorney with over 25 years of experience handling VA medical malpractice claims. We understand the complex medical and legal issues involved in FTCA cases. Our unique medical expertise allows us to quickly identify deviations from the standard of care and build stronger cases for our veteran clients.

The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center was established in 2010. It was created by integrating the North Chicago VA Medical Center and Naval Health Clinic Great Lakes. The facility provides crucial healthcare through its 107 beds to veterans and active duty personnel in North Chicago.

The center provides comprehensive medical services including addiction treatment, audiology, cardiology, chiropractic care, dental services, and dermatology. As part of its educational mission, Lovell FHCC maintains training programs in partnership with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, helping develop the next generation of military and veteran healthcare providers.

This facility plays a vital role in Illinois's VA healthcare system, particularly notable for serving recruits from Naval Station Great Lakes - the Navy's only boot camp. Director Dr. Robert Buckley (VA) and Deputy Director Captain Gregory Thier (Navy) lead the center's integrated VA and military healthcare services.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's surgical services, errors can include wrong-site surgery, post-operative complications, or anesthesia mistakes. These often result from communication breakdowns or inadequate pre-operative planning. Learn more about surgical error claims →

• Emergency Room Mistakes: The emergency department serves both veterans and active duty personnel, making rapid triage crucial. Delayed treatment, misdiagnosis of serious conditions, or failure to properly monitor patients can lead to devastating outcomes. Learn more about ER malpractice →

• Diagnostic Errors: With multiple specialties operating at Lovell FHCC, missed or delayed diagnoses can occur, particularly in complex cases involving multiple health conditions common among veterans. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: The complexity of managing medications for veterans with multiple conditions increases the risk of dangerous drug interactions or dosing errors. These errors can occur in any department but are particularly concerning in long-term care settings.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), patients who suffer harm due to negligent care at Lovell FHCC must first file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 (SF-95). This claim must be filed with the appropriate VA Regional Counsel office that oversees the facility.

For claims involving Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, administrative claims should be filed with the VA Regional Counsel in Chicago. The process requires detailed documentation of the medical care received, evidence of negligence, and proof of resulting damages.

Critical deadlines apply to these claims. The administrative claim must be filed within two years of when you knew or should have known about the malpractice. After filing, the VA has six months to investigate and respond. If your claim is denied or the six-month period expires without a decision, you 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 Illinois →

Illinois medical malpractice law (735 ILCS 5/13-212) typically provides a two-year statute of limitations, but FTCA claims follow federal deadlines. While Illinois previously had damage caps for medical malpractice cases, these were ruled unconstitutional. However, FTCA claims are subject to federal limitations on damages, particularly regarding punitive damages which cannot be awarded under federal law.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Illinois facilities:

• Danville VA Medical Center (Danville) →
• Edward Hines Junior Hospital (Hines) →
• Jesse Brown VA Medical Center (Chicago) →
• Marion VA Medical Center (Marion) →

If you believe you've received negligent medical care at Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago, you need to understand your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). As a veteran or military family member, you have the right to pursue compensation for medical malpractice, but strict deadlines apply. You must file your administrative claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the negligent care. 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.

Having an attorney who is also a medical doctor is particularly crucial when dealing with cases at Lovell FHCC. These dual-qualified professionals understand both the complex medical issues specific to veteran care and the legal requirements of FTCA claims. They can accurately evaluate whether the care you received fell below accepted medical standards and effectively communicate these violations to government attorneys and judges.

Through an FTCA claim against Lovell FHCC, you may be entitled to recover various damages, including past and future medical expenses related to the negligent care, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering. For veterans with service-connected conditions who received substandard care, these damages can be substantial and may include lifetime medical costs.

Given the complexity of these cases and the strict deadlines involved, you should not wait to have your potential claim evaluated. Many attorneys who handle VA medical malpractice cases offer free initial consultations to review your medical records and determine if you have a viable claim. These consultations are confidential and come with no obligation. The sooner you speak with a qualified attorney, the better positioned you'll be to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Remember, the FTCA process exists to help veterans and military families who have been harmed by negligent medical care at federal facilities like Lovell FHCC. Don't let concerns about cost prevent you from seeking legal help - most attorneys handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.

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

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