Medical Malpractice at
Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center

The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis provides crucial healthcare to over 62,000 veterans each year across central and southern Indiana. The facility, a major teaching hospital affiliated with Indiana University School of Medicine, provides surgical care, cardiovascular treatment, mental health services, and specialized veteran care programs.

While most veterans receive appropriate care at this facility, medical errors and negligence can occur even at established institutions. When veterans suffer harm due to substandard medical care, they have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to seek compensation. However, claims against VA facilities involve complex federal regulations and strict deadlines that differ from standard medical malpractice cases.

Because our firm's founder is both a licensed physician and attorney, he brings unique medical and legal expertise to VA malpractice cases. This rare combination allows us to thoroughly evaluate the medical evidence while navigating the intricate FTCA claims process specific to facilities like the Roudebush VA Medical Center.

Established in 1932 and relocated to its current facility in 1952, the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center operates as a 159-bed acute care facility in downtown Indianapolis. Named after former U.S. Representative and VA Administrator Richard L. Roudebush, this medical center serves as the flagship VA healthcare facility for central and southern Indiana.

The medical center provides comprehensive healthcare services including general surgery, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, mental health treatment, and specialized veteran care programs. As a major teaching hospital affiliated with Indiana University School of Medicine, it maintains high-level specialty care and trains the next generation of medical professionals.

Medical Center Director Laura E. Ruzick and Chief of Staff Dr. Brian Blaser oversee multiple specialty care clinics, a 24/7 emergency department, and extensive outpatient services. The medical center serves as an essential component of Indiana's veteran healthcare by providing both primary care and specialty referral services.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's extensive surgical programs, errors during general, cardiovascular, and orthopedic procedures can occur. Common issues include wrong-site surgery, post-operative complications, and anesthesia errors. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Room Mistakes: The 24/7 emergency department handles critical cases where delayed treatment or mismanagement can have severe consequences. Veterans may experience delayed treatment, misdiagnosis of serious conditions, or improper emergency protocols. Learn more about ER malpractice →

• Diagnostic Errors: Delayed or missed diagnoses, particularly in complex cases involving multiple medical conditions common among veterans, can lead to serious harm. This includes failure to diagnose cancer, heart conditions, or neurological disorders. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: Veterans often require complex medication regimens. Errors in prescribing, dispensing, or monitoring medications can cause adverse reactions or treatment failures. This is particularly critical in the facility's cardiovascular and mental health programs.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), veterans must file an administrative claim before they can pursue legal action for medical malpractice. This process begins with submitting Standard Form 95 (SF-95) to the appropriate VA Regional Counsel office detailing the circumstances of the negligent care and resulting damages.

For claims involving the Roudebush VA Medical Center, administrative claims must be filed with:

Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Regional Counsel 575 North Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46204

Critical deadlines apply to these claims. Veterans must file their administrative claim within two years of discovering the malpractice. The VA then has six months to investigate and respond to the claim. 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 Indiana →

While FTCA claims follow federal law, certain Indiana medical malpractice provisions may influence case strategy. Indiana's Medical Malpractice Act (Indiana Code § 34-18-7-1) typically imposes a two-year statute of limitations, which aligns with the FTCA deadline. However, Indiana's damage caps do not apply to federal FTCA claims, potentially allowing for higher recoveries in appropriate cases.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Indiana facilities:

• Evansville VA Clinic (Evansville) →
• Fort Wayne VA Medical Center (Fort Wayne) →
• Marion VA Medical Center (Marion) →

If you've experienced medical malpractice or negligent care at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, you have specific legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, pursuing a claim requires understanding strict deadlines and following precise procedures.

You must file your FTCA claim within two years of 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 Roudebush, 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, understand complex medical records, and effectively communicate with VA medical experts. Their dual expertise helps build stronger cases and typically leads to better outcomes for veterans and their families.

Through an FTCA claim against the Roudebush VA Medical Center, you may be entitled to recover various damages. These can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. If a veteran has died due to negligent care, their family may be able to pursue wrongful death damages, including loss of companionship and funeral expenses.

Don't let concerns about legal fees prevent you from seeking justice. Most 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. It's important to have your potential claim evaluated by an experienced FTCA attorney who can review your medical records, assess the strength of your case, and guide you through this complex process.

If you or a family member received substandard care at the Roudebush VA Medical Center, consider reaching out for a free case evaluation. Time limits are strict, and building a strong FTCA case requires careful preparation. Speaking with a qualified attorney-physician can help protect your rights and ensure you understand all available options for seeking 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 →