Medical Malpractice at
Blanchfield Army Community Hospital

Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH) is the main military medical facility at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, giving complete healthcare to active duty service members, retirees, and their families. As a 41-bed Army community hospital, BACH offers everything from routine primary care to specialized surgical services, emergency medicine, and maternal care.

Blanchfield Army Community Hospital generally meets accepted medical standards, but preventable medical errors still occur. When healthcare providers at military facilities fail to meet the standard of care, patients have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to seek compensation for injuries caused by medical negligence.

Our firm's founder, a licensed physician and attorney, brings unique medical and legal expertise to military medical malpractice cases. With over 25 years of experience and more than $145 million recovered for clients, we understand the complexities of bringing claims against military treatment facilities like Blanchfield Army Community Hospital.

Established in 1982, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital is named after Colonel Florence A. Blanchfield, a pioneering superintendent of the Army Nurse Corps. In 2016, the facility completed a $68.7 million renovation to modernize capabilities and expand services for the Fort Campbell military community.

The hospital maintains 41 licensed beds with 28 operating beds and provides a comprehensive range of medical services including general surgery, orthopedics, obstetrics/gynecology, emergency medicine, and specialty care. As a Level III Trauma Center, BACH's emergency department operates 24/7 to handle both routine emergencies and serious trauma cases.

Blanchfield Army Community Hospital serves a diverse military population across the Fort Campbell area, including active duty service members from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), other assigned units, military retirees, and their family members. The facility plays a vital role in Kentucky's military healthcare network, working in conjunction with other regional military and civilian medical facilities.

• Birth Injuries: With its busy labor and delivery unit, preventable birth injuries can occur due to delayed C-sections, improper use of delivery tools, or failure to monitor fetal distress. Staffing problems at military hospitals can impact obstetric care. Learn more about military birth injuries →

• Surgical Errors: BACH performs numerous general, orthopedic, and gynecological surgeries. Wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, and anesthesia errors are preventable mistakes that can cause serious harm. Learn about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Room Mistakes: As a Level III Trauma Center, BACH's ER handles critical cases where delayed diagnosis or treatment can be catastrophic. Staffing shortages and high patient volumes can contribute to errors. More about ER malpractice →

• Medication Errors: Prescription mistakes, improper dosing, and medication interactions can cause serious harm. Military pharmacies handle large volumes of prescriptions, increasing error risks.

• Misdiagnosis: Delayed or missed diagnoses, particularly for serious conditions like cancer or heart disease, can result in worse outcomes. The chain of command in military healthcare can sometimes stop good communication and follow-up.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), patients who suffer harm due to medical negligence at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital must first file an administrative claim before pursuing litigation. This claim must be filed with the appropriate military claims office using Standard Form 95 (SF-95).

For Blanchfield Army Community Hospital claims, the administrative claim should be filed with: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate Claims Division Fort Campbell, KY 42223

Strict deadlines apply to FTCA claims. You must file your administrative claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the malpractice. After filing, the agency has six months to investigate and respond. If your claim is denied or the six months pass without a response, 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 Kentucky →

While Kentucky state law generally allows medical malpractice claims to be filed within one year (KRS § 413.140), FTCA claims follow federal timelines. Kentucky has no statutory caps on medical malpractice damages, but federal FTCA claims may be subject to certain limitations based on federal law and precedent.

For detailed information about Kentucky-specific legal requirements and how they interact with federal law in military medical malpractice cases, visit our main Kentucky military medical malpractice page: Military Medical Malpractice in Kentucky →

First, file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 with the Fort Campbell Staff Judge Advocate office. This must be done within two years of discovering the malpractice, and should include detailed documentation of the incident and damages.

What is the deadline for filing a claim against Blanchfield Army Community Hospital?

Under the FTCA, you have two years from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) the malpractice to file your administrative claim. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your right to compensation.

Can I sue Blanchfield Army Community Hospital directly?

No, you cannot sue the hospital directly. Claims must be filed under the FTCA against the United States government, not against individual providers or the facility itself.

What damages can I recover for malpractice at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital?

FTCA claims can include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the malpractice. Under the FTCA, damages follow Kentucky state law, which does not cap economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages. Non-economic damages like pain and suffering may be subject to federal limitations based on case precedent.

Do I need a Kentucky attorney for my Blanchfield Army Community Hospital claim?

While not required, having an attorney experienced in both military medical malpractice and the FTCA is highly recommended. These cases involve complex federal laws and procedures that differ from standard medical malpractice claims.

How long does a Blanchfield Army Community Hospital malpractice claim take?

The process typically takes at least 8-12 months, starting with the mandatory 6-month administrative review period. If litigation becomes necessary, the timeline can extend significantly longer.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Kentucky facilities:

• Franklin R. Sousley Campus (Lexington) →
• Robley Rex VA Medical Center (Louisville) →
• Troy Bowling Campus (Lexington) →

If you've experienced medical negligence at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital at Fort Campbell, 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 seek compensation for medical malpractice, but the process is complex and time-sensitive.

The FTCA requires you to file your claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the negligence. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your claim. Once you file the administrative claim (Form SF-95), the government has six months to respond. Only after this six-month period, or after receiving a denial, can you file a lawsuit in federal court.

When dealing with military medical malpractice at Blanchfield, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your case's success. These specialized professionals can quickly identify deviations from the standard of care, understand complex medical records, and effectively communicate with government medical experts. They can determine whether your treatment at Blanchfield met acceptable medical standards and build a strong case based on both legal and medical expertise.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be entitled to recover various damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. For military families, this can include additional costs like specialized medical equipment, home modifications, or long-term care needs. However, unlike civilian cases, punitive damages are not available under the FTCA.

If you believe you or a family member received substandard care at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, don't wait to seek legal guidance. Many experienced military medical malpractice attorneys offer free case evaluations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case. During this consultation, they can review your medical records, explain your rights, and help determine if you have a viable claim. Time is critical in these cases, so reaching out for a free evaluation as soon as possible is essential to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.

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

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