Mississippi VA & Military Spinal Cord Injury Malpractice Attorneys

Veterans and active-duty service members seek medical care at Mississippi's VA medical centers and military hospitals, trusting them to provide competent, life-preserving treatment. Unfortunately, medical negligence during surgeries, emergency care, or routine procedures can result in catastrophic spinal cord injuries that permanently alter lives and devastate families.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reports 17,810 new spinal cord injuries annually in the United States, with many resulting from hospital negligence. At the Archuleta Law Firm, our founding attorney's unique background as both a licensed attorney and medical doctor provides unparalleled insight into spinal cord injury cases and the complex medical standards that healthcare providers must follow.

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury due to negligence at a Mississippi VA or military facility, you have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). Proving preventable injuries requires expertise in federal law and medical standards.

• Surgical Errors During Spinal Procedures: When surgeons operate on or near the spine, improper technique, wrong-level surgery, or failure to maintain sterile conditions can directly damage the spinal cord. These errors often result from inadequate preoperative planning or deviation from established surgical protocols.

• Delayed Diagnosis of Spinal Compression: Emergency physicians must quickly recognize spinal cord compression from trauma, tumors, or infections to prevent permanent damage. Prompt imaging and intervention are critical to preventing irreversible paralysis.

• Medication Errors Causing Spinal Stroke: Incorrect dosing of blood thinners or failure to monitor patients on anticoagulation therapy can lead to spinal hematomas that compress the cord. These preventable complications often occur due to inadequate patient monitoring or communication failures.

• Anesthesia-Related Spinal Injuries: Improper placement of spinal or epidural anesthesia, or failure to recognize complications during administration, can cause direct trauma to the spinal cord or surrounding structures.

• Post-Operative Negligence: Failure to monitor patients for signs of spinal cord compromise after surgery, delayed response to neurological changes, or inadequate post-surgical care can allow treatable complications to progress to permanent injury.

• Failure to Immobilize Trauma Patients: Emergency personnel who fail to properly stabilize suspected spinal injuries during transport or initial treatment can convert incomplete injuries into complete paralysis through improper handling.

We represent spinal cord injury victims at major federal medical facilities throughout Mississippi, where complex procedures and emergency care create the highest risk for preventable injuries.

G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center - Jackson: Mississippi's primary VA medical center provides comprehensive surgical services, including neurosurgery and orthopedic spine procedures where spinal cord injuries can occur.

VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System - Biloxi: This facility serves veterans across the Gulf Coast region and provides emergency care, surgical services, and specialized treatments that may involve spinal cord injury risk.

Columbus Air Force Base Medical Clinic - Columbus: While primarily providing outpatient care, emergency situations and medical procedures at military treatment facilities can result in spinal cord injuries requiring specialized legal representation.

Naval Air Station Meridian Medical Clinic - Meridian: Military personnel and their families receive medical care at this facility, where emergency treatment and medical procedures may lead to preventable spinal cord injuries.

View all Mississippi VA & Military Facilities

• Sudden onset of paralysis or weakness following a routine medical procedure or surgery
• Healthcare providers failed to order appropriate imaging (MRI, CT scans) despite neurological symptoms
• Delayed treatment for obvious signs of spinal cord compression or emergency conditions
• Surgical complications that were not disclosed as standard risks, particularly during spinal procedures
• Post-operative neurological changes that were ignored or inadequately addressed by medical staff
• Emergency room discharge despite complaints of back pain, weakness, or numbness following trauma
• Medication errors involving blood thinners or pain medications that led to spinal complications
• Anesthesia procedures that resulted in immediate neurological deficits not present before treatment

Victims of spinal cord injuries face substantial lifetime economic losses. These economic damages may include $1.1 to $4.7 million in lifetime medical care (depending on injury level and age), specialized equipment, therapy, lost wages, attendant care, and vehicle modifications.

The profound impact of spinal cord injuries extends far beyond financial losses. Non-economic damages may include compensation for pain, loss of enjoyment, emotional distress, depression, loss of consortium, and reduced quality of life.

Under Mississippi law, the Mississippi Tort Claims Act (Miss. Code Ann. § 11-46-15) caps damages at $500,000 for claims against state entities. However, FTCA claims against federal facilities are governed by federal law and are not subject to Mississippi's damage caps. This is crucial, because federal facilities often provide more compensation for severe injuries like spinal cord damage. Mississippi follows a pure comparative negligence rule under Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-15, meaning damages may be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the plaintiff, though this rarely applies in clear medical malpractice cases.

Statute of Limitations

The Federal Tort Claims Act requires filing an administrative claim within two years of the date of injury under 28 U.S.C. § 2401(b). Mississippi's discovery rule may apply in cases where the full extent of spinal cord damage was not immediately apparent, potentially extending this deadline to when the injury was or reasonably should have been discovered. However, federal courts strictly enforce FTCA deadlines, making prompt action essential.

Expert Witness Requirements

Mississippi requires medical expert testimony in malpractice cases under Miss. Code Ann. § 11-1-58. For spinal cord injury cases, experts must be qualified in the relevant medical specialty and able to testify about the standard of care, breach of that standard, and causation. The complexity of spinal cord injuries often requires multiple experts, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, and life care planners.

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

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2401(b)), you must file an administrative claim within two years of the injury. For spinal cord injuries where the full extent of damage develops over time, Mississippi's discovery rule may apply, but federal courts interpret this narrowly.

FTCA claims are not subject to Mississippi's $500,000 damage cap that applies to state entities under Miss. Code Ann. § 11-46-15. You may recover full economic damages including lifetime medical care, lost wages, and non-economic damages for pain and suffering without statutory limits.

Mississippi's damage caps under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act do not apply to FTCA claims against federal facilities. This is significant because spinal cord injury damages often exceed the $500,000 state cap, making federal venue more favorable for comprehensive compensation.

No, under the Feres Doctrine and Federal Employees Liability Reform Act, you cannot sue individual military or VA doctors. Your claim must be filed against the United States government under the FTCA, which provides the exclusive remedy for medical malpractice at federal facilities.

Yes, Mississippi requires qualified medical expert testimony under Miss. Code Ann. § 11-1-58. Spinal cord injury cases typically require experts in neurology, neurosurgery, or the relevant medical specialty to establish the standard of care and prove negligence caused your injuries.

FTCA cases typically take 18-36 months from filing the administrative claim to resolution. The administrative review process alone can take 6-12 months, and if denied, you have six months to file a federal lawsuit, which may take an additional 1-2 years to resolve.

Mississippi's discovery rule may extend the FTCA deadline if your spinal cord injury wasn't immediately apparent. However, you must still prove you couldn't have reasonably discovered the injury within the two-year period, and federal courts apply this exception very strictly.

Yes, spouses and family members may recover damages for loss of consortium, emotional distress, and their own economic losses under Mississippi law. In cases involving complete paralysis, these damages can be substantial given the profound impact on family relationships and caregiving responsibilities.

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

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

Mississippi VA Malpractice Information

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

Other Mississippi Case Types We Handle

• Mississippi Surgical Errors Cases
• Mississippi Emergency Room Errors Cases
• Mississippi 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're a veteran or military family member dealing with a spinal cord injury in Mississippi due to medical negligence at a VA facility, understanding your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) is crucial. The FTCA allows you to seek compensation, but you must act within strict timeframes to protect your legal rights.

You have two years from the date of injury or when you reasonably should have discovered the injury to file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95. This deadline is absolute - missing it means losing your right to pursue compensation. Once you file your claim, the federal agency has six months to investigate and respond. If they deny your claim or fail to respond within six months, you then have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

For spinal cord injury cases, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can significantly strengthen your case. These complex injuries require deep medical knowledge to prove causation and establish the full extent of damages. A doctor-attorney can better understand your medical records, communicate effectively with your healthcare providers, and explain complex medical concepts to judges and juries in clear terms.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be entitled to recover various damages, including past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, adaptive equipment and home modifications, lost wages and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. In Mississippi, there's no cap on economic damages, though non-economic damages may be limited depending on your specific situation.

Don't wait to explore your legal options. Many law firms specializing in veteran FTCA claims offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case. During this consultation, an experienced attorney can review your medical records, explain your rights, and help determine if you have a viable claim. The sooner you reach out, the more time your legal team will have to build a strong case while evidence is fresh and witnesses' memories are clear.

Remember, these cases are complex and require specialized knowledge of both medical malpractice and federal law. Seeking experienced legal representation can help ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve while allowing you to focus on your recovery and rehabilitation.

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

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