Medical Malpractice at
Fort Wayne VA Medical Center

The Fort Wayne VA Medical Center, part of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System (VANIHCS), serves as a crucial healthcare provider for veterans throughout northeastern Indiana. This facility, located at 2121 Lake Avenue, delivers a comprehensive range of medical services including primary care, specialty care, mental health treatment, and urgent care services to our nation's veterans. For detailed information about VA medical malpractice claims in Indiana, visit our comprehensive guide: Military & VA Medical Malpractice in Indiana →

Medical errors and negligence can occur at the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center, despite its vital role in veteran healthcare. Veterans harmed by substandard medical care can seek compensation for injuries and losses under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).

As both a licensed attorney and medical doctor, our firm's founder brings unique insight to VA medical malpractice cases. Our 25+ years of experience and $145+ million in recoveries demonstrate our expertise in FTCA claims against VA facilities like Fort Wayne VA Medical Center.

The Fort Wayne VA Medical Center provides comprehensive medical care as part of the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System. This Fort Wayne, Indiana, medical center provides essential healthcare services to veterans throughout the region, including outpatient and specialty care.

The facility provides a wide range of medical services, including:

• Primary Care Services: Comprehensive veteran health maintenance and preventive care
• Specialty Care: Including cardiology, gastroenterology, dermatology, and cancer care
• Mental Health Services: Both inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment
• Urgent Care: Immediate care for non-life-threatening conditions
• Diagnostic Services: Advanced imaging and laboratory testing
• Social Services: Including housing assistance, vocational rehabilitation, and veteran support programs
• Wellness Programs: Nutrition counseling, smoking cessation, and fitness programs

• Surgical Errors: At Fort Wayne VA Medical Center, surgical mistakes can include wrong-site surgery, post-operative complications, or anesthesia errors. These errors often result from communication breakdowns or inadequate pre-operative planning. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Care Mistakes: While providing urgent care services, errors in triage, delayed treatment, or mismanagement of acute conditions can lead to serious harm. VA staffing challenges can contribute to these issues. Learn more about emergency care errors →

• Diagnostic Failures: Veterans at Fort Wayne VA may experience delayed or missed diagnoses, particularly in cancer cases or cardiac conditions. These errors often stem from rushed appointments or inadequate follow-up procedures. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: Prescription mistakes, incorrect dosing, or medication interactions can cause serious harm. Learn more about medication errors →

• Treatment Delays: Extended wait times for critical procedures or specialist appointments can lead to worsened conditions. Learn more about delayed treatment claims →

The facility offers numerous support services to enhance veteran care:

• Veterans Justice Outreach Program
• Homeless Veteran Services
• Mental Health Recovery Programs
• Women Veterans Health Program
• Caregiver Support Services
• Transportation Assistance
• Veteran Service Organizations Support

Before suing the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center, veterans must first file an administrative claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675). This initial claim must be filed using Standard Form 95 (SF-95) and include detailed information about the incident, injuries, and damages sought.

Key requirements for filing include:

• Detailed description of the negligent medical care
• Complete medical records documentation
• Expert medical opinions supporting the claim
• Precise calculation of damages
• Supporting evidence of economic losses

Critical deadlines apply to these claims:

• Two-Year Statute of Limitations: Claims must be filed within two years of when the malpractice was discovered
• Six-Month Review Period: The VA has six months to investigate and respond to the claim
• Six-Month Filing Window: After a denial, claimants have six months to file a federal lawsuit

Indiana's Medical Malpractice Act (Indiana Code § 34-18-7-1) typically imposes a two-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases. However, for FTCA claims against the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center, federal law takes precedence over state requirements. While Indiana normally caps medical malpractice damages, these state caps do not apply to federal FTCA claims.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Indiana facilities:

• Evansville VA Clinic (Evansville) →
• Marion VA Medical Center (Marion) →
• Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center (Indianapolis) →

If you believe you've received negligent medical care at the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center, understanding your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) is crucial. As a veteran or military family member, you have the right to seek compensation for medical malpractice, but the process involves strict deadlines and specific procedures you must follow.

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. If they deny your claim or fail to respond within six months, you then have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

When dealing with VA medical malpractice cases, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can significantly strengthen your case. These specialized professionals can better understand complex medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and effectively communicate with medical experts. They can quickly recognize when the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center may have failed to provide appropriate care and can build a stronger case on your behalf.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover various types of damages. These can include compensation for additional medical expenses needed to treat injuries caused by negligent care, lost wages if you're unable to work, and damages for pain and suffering. In cases involving permanent disability or long-term effects, future medical costs and lost earning capacity may also be considered.

Given the complexity of these cases and the strict deadlines involved, it's important to have your potential claim evaluated as soon as possible. Many attorneys who specialize in VA medical malpractice offer free initial consultations to review your case. During this evaluation, they can help determine if you have a valid claim and explain the specific steps needed to protect your rights. Don't wait to seek help - contact an experienced FTCA attorney today to discuss your experience at the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center and understand your options for pursuing justice and compensation.

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

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