Michigan VA & Military Spinal Cord Injury Malpractice Attorneys

Veterans and military families trust Michigan's VA medical centers and military hospitals to provide safe, competent treatment. Unfortunately, medical negligence during surgeries, emergency care, or routine procedures can result in catastrophic spinal cord injuries that forever change lives and families.

Spinal cord injuries represent some of the most devastating medical malpractice outcomes, with the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reporting that medical/surgical complications account for approximately 8% of all spinal cord injuries nationwide. At the Archuleta Law Firm, our founding attorney brings both medical doctor and attorney credentials to every case—providing unmatched expertise in understanding both the medical standards of care and the complex legal requirements for spinal cord injury claims.

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury due to negligence at a Michigan VA or military facility, you have specific legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). Our team has developed specialized expertise in Michigan medical malpractice law and federal procedures through 25+ years of exclusive FTCA practice.

• Surgical Errors During Spinal Procedures: Improper technique during back surgery, incorrect placement of hardware, or damage to nerve roots can result in permanent paralysis. Surgeons who deviate from accepted standards during delicate spinal operations can cause devastating cord damage.

• Anesthesia Complications: Prolonged hypotension, improper positioning during surgery, or failure to monitor oxygen levels can lead to spinal cord ischemia and permanent neurological damage. Anesthesiologists must maintain strict protocols to prevent these preventable injuries.

• Delayed Diagnosis of Spinal Emergencies: Conditions like cauda equina syndrome or spinal cord compression require immediate intervention. Emergency room staff who fail to recognize warning signs or delay critical imaging may miss the window to prevent permanent paralysis.

• Medication Errors: Incorrect dosing of blood thinners, failure to manage infections, or administering contraindicated medications can lead to spinal hematomas or abscesses that compress the spinal cord and cause irreversible damage.

• Improper Patient Handling: Failure to properly immobilize trauma patients or incorrect movement of patients with suspected spinal injuries can convert incomplete injuries to complete paralysis through medical negligence.

• Failure to Monitor Post-Surgical Complications: After spinal surgery, patients need careful monitoring for infection, bleeding, or hardware failure. If medical staff don't quickly recognize and treat these complications, a secondary spinal cord injury may occur.

Our firm represents spinal cord injury victims at major VA medical centers and military facilities throughout Michigan where complex medical procedures and emergency care create the highest risk for catastrophic negligence.

• John D. Dingell VA Medical Center (Detroit): This major tertiary care facility performs complex spinal surgeries and trauma care where surgical errors or delayed emergency response can result in permanent paralysis.

• Battle Creek VA Medical Center: Serving veterans across southern Michigan, this facility's surgical and emergency departments handle cases where spinal cord injuries may result from medical negligence.

• Iron Mountain VA Medical Center: This facility provides neurosurgical services and emergency care where failure to properly diagnose or treat spinal conditions can lead to catastrophic outcomes.

• Selfridge Air National Guard Base Medical Facility: Military personnel and families receive care here where emergency trauma response and surgical procedures create risk for spinal cord injury through medical malpractice.

View all Michigan VA & Military Facilities

• Sudden onset of paralysis or loss of sensation following a routine medical procedure or surgery
• Spinal cord injury that occurred after medical staff ignored your reports of severe back pain or neurological symptoms
• Development of infection, bleeding, or other complications after spinal surgery that were not promptly addressed by medical staff
• Emergency room staff failed to order appropriate imaging (MRI, CT scan) despite clear neurological symptoms
• You were told your spinal condition was "not serious" or "just muscle strain" before developing permanent paralysis
• Surgical hardware was improperly placed or surgical instruments caused damage to your spinal cord during operation
• Medical records show delays in treatment, missed diagnoses, or failure to follow standard protocols for spinal emergencies

Economic Damages

• Lifetime medical care costs: A complete spinal cord injury may require between $1.1 and $4.7 million for lifetime medical expenses, such as rehabilitation, medications, and specialized equipment.
• Home and vehicle modifications: Costs include wheelchair accessibility renovations, specialized transportation, and assistive technology.
• Lost wages and earning capacity: This provides compensation for lost career income because of paralysis and the inability to work.
• Attendant care services: 24-hour nursing care, personal assistance, and specialized medical support required for high-level injuries
• Ongoing rehabilitation costs: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling expenses
• Medical equipment and supplies: Wheelchairs, pressure relief systems, catheters, and other specialized medical devices

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, and psychological impact of permanent paralysis
• Loss of enjoyment of life: Damages for inability to participate in previously enjoyed activities, hobbies, and life experiences
• Emotional distress: Recognition of depression, anxiety, and psychological trauma associated with catastrophic spinal cord injury
• Loss of consortium: Compensation for impact on marriage and family relationships due to permanent disability
• Disability and disfigurement: Damages for permanent physical limitations and changes to quality of life

Michigan-Specific Considerations

Under Michigan law, there are no damage caps for medical malpractice cases involving permanent serious impairment of body function, which includes spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.1483). However, FTCA claims are governed by federal law and the damage limitations of the state where the malpractice occurred. Michigan's lack of damage caps means that spinal cord injury victims can potentially recover full compensation for their devastating injuries. The Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2674) allows recovery of damages according to state law, making Michigan's favorable damage structure applicable to federal facility cases.

Statute of Limitations The Federal Tort Claims Act requires that claims against VA and military facilities be filed within two years of discovery of the injury and its connection to medical negligence (28 U.S.C. § 2401(b)). Michigan's discovery rule may extend this deadline if the full extent of spinal cord damage was not immediately apparent. However, federal law governs FTCA cases, making the two-year federal deadline controlling in most circumstances.

Expert Witness Requirements Under Michigan Court Rule 2.112(K), medical malpractice cases require expert testimony from physicians in the same specialty as the defendant doctor. For spinal cord injury cases, this typically means neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine specialists, or emergency medicine physicians who can testify about the standard of care and how negligence caused the catastrophic injury.

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

FTCA claims must be filed within two years of discovering the injury and its connection to medical negligence (28 U.S.C. § 2401(b)). For spinal cord injuries, this typically begins when you knew or should have known that medical malpractice caused your paralysis, not necessarily when the injury first occurred.

Michigan allows full compensation for catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage, including lifetime medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Since Michigan has no damage caps for permanent serious impairment cases (Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.1483), FTCA claims can potentially recover millions in damages.

Michigan's lack of damage caps for permanent serious impairment actually benefits spinal cord injury victims. Since FTCA cases follow state damage laws (28 U.S.C. § 2674), Michigan's unlimited damage structure allows full compensation for the devastating costs of permanent paralysis.

No, you cannot sue individual military or VA doctors. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, your claim must be filed against the United States government. The FTCA provides the exclusive remedy for medical malpractice at federal facilities, but also waives sovereign immunity to allow these claims.

Yes, Michigan requires expert testimony from physicians in the same specialty as the treating doctor (MCR 2.112(K)). Our firm works with leading neurosurgeons and spine specialists who can explain how medical negligence caused your spinal cord injury and testify about proper standards of care.

FTCA cases typically take 18-36 months due to the complex federal procedures involved. Spinal cord injury cases require extensive medical documentation, expert analysis, and life care planning to properly value lifetime damages, which can extend the timeline but ensures maximum compensation.

Emergency room cases require proving that medical staff's actions fell below the standard of care expected in emergency situations. While emergency physicians have some protection for split-second decisions, they can still be held liable for failing to order appropriate tests, misdiagnosing obvious symptoms, or delaying critical treatment for spinal emergencies.

Yes, if medical staff failed to timely diagnose conditions like spinal cord compression, cauda equina syndrome, or spinal infections, and this delay caused or worsened your paralysis, you may have a valid FTCA claim. These cases focus on whether earlier diagnosis and treatment could have prevented the permanent spinal cord damage.

When you or a loved one has suffered paralysis, spinal cord damage, and nerve damage from medical negligence at a Michigan 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.

• Michigan FTCA Experience: We have successfully handled Federal Tort Claims Act cases involving Michigan 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan 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 Michigan Spinal Cord Injury victims. Our Michigan 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 Michigan 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.

Michigan VA Malpractice Information

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

Other Michigan Case Types We Handle

• Michigan Surgical Errors Cases
• Michigan Emergency Room Errors Cases
• Michigan 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've suffered a spinal cord injury while receiving care at a VA facility in Michigan, you may be eligible to file a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). As a veteran or military family member, it's crucial to understand that the FTCA has strict deadlines - you must file your administrative claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the injury and its cause. Once you file your administrative claim using Standard Form 95, the VA has six months to respond before you can file a lawsuit in federal court.

Having an attorney who is also a licensed medical doctor can be invaluable in spinal cord injury cases. These complex injuries require deep medical knowledge to properly evaluate causation, standard of care violations, and long-term prognosis. A doctor-attorney can better interpret your medical records, identify crucial evidence, and effectively communicate with medical experts. This dual expertise is particularly important when dealing with the VA system and understanding how your military service history may impact your case.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover several types of damages. These typically include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, home modifications, necessary medical equipment, and compensation for pain and suffering. For veterans with spinal cord injuries, the lifetime costs can be substantial - often reaching millions of dollars when accounting for ongoing care, rehabilitation, and necessary accommodations.

Don't wait to explore your legal options. Many law firms that specialize in veteran FTCA claims offer free initial case evaluations to help you understand your rights and the potential value of your claim. During this consultation, an experienced attorney can review your medical records, explain the FTCA process in detail, and help determine if you have a viable case. Remember, these cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless your case is successful.

If you or a family member has suffered a spinal cord injury at a VA facility in Michigan, contact a qualified doctor-attorney today for a free, confidential evaluation of your case. The sooner you reach out, the better positioned you'll be to protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve.

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

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