Medical Malpractice at
Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital

The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, Missouri serves as a critical healthcare facility for over 40,000 veterans across 43 counties. Medical negligence at this facility can seriously harm veterans, despite its comprehensive services in cardiovascular surgery, emergency care, and specialized treatments.

Our firm's founder, a licensed attorney and medical doctor, understands the complex medical and legal challenges veterans face with VA malpractice. The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) provides the legal pathway for veterans to seek compensation when negligent care at the Truman VA Hospital results in injury or wrongful death.

Our experienced legal team has recovered over $145 million for victims of military and VA medical malpractice. With a doctor-attorney and nurse on staff, we possess unique medical expertise to evaluate cases and identify departures from the standard of care at facilities like the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital.

Established in 1972 through Public Law 91-472, the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital operates as a full-service VA Medical Center affiliated with the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Patricia Hall, PhD, FACHE (Director), and Lana Zerrer, MD (Chief of Staff), lead this major teaching hospital with multiple residency programs.

The hospital's healthcare services include general, cardiovascular, and orthopedic surgery, plus ophthalmology. Its 24/7 emergency department, mental health services, rehabilitation programs, and specialized women's health care make it a crucial resource for Missouri veterans.

This facility, a primary VA medical center in Missouri, is essential to the state's veteran healthcare. The University of Missouri School of Medicine affiliation strengthens both the hospital's teaching program and its advanced medical services for veterans.

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

• Emergency Room Mistakes: The 24/7 emergency department handles critical cases where delayed treatment or mismanagement can have devastating consequences. Veterans may experience triage errors, delayed diagnosis of heart attacks or strokes, or medication mistakes. Learn more about emergency room errors →

• Diagnostic Errors: With multiple specialty departments, missed or delayed diagnoses can occur when providers fail to order appropriate tests or properly interpret results. Cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders are commonly misdiagnosed. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Hospital-Acquired Infections: Poor sanitation protocols or inadequate post-operative care can lead to serious infections. Veterans may contract MRSA, surgical site infections, or other healthcare-associated infections during their stay.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), veterans must first file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 (SF-95) before pursuing a lawsuit. This claim must be filed with the VA Regional Counsel office responsible for the Truman VA Hospital.

The official filing address for FTCA claims is: Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital Office of Regional Counsel 800 Hospital Drive Columbia, MO 65201

Veterans must adhere to strict deadlines when filing claims. The statute of limitations requires filing an administrative claim within two years of discovering the malpractice. After filing, the VA has six months to investigate and respond. If the claim is denied or no response is received after six months, 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 Missouri →

Missouri's medical malpractice statute of limitations (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.105) generally allows two years to file claims, aligning with the FTCA's requirements. While Missouri has damage caps for medical malpractice cases, FTCA claims follow federal law rather than state limitations. However, Missouri law may still influence how damages are calculated in FTCA cases.

You must first file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 with the VA Regional Counsel office. This claim must detail the injury, negligent care received, and damages sought. Our experienced legal team can help prepare and file this crucial documentation.

Under the FTCA, you must file your administrative claim within two years of discovering the malpractice. Missing this deadline typically bars you from pursuing compensation.

Can I sue Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital directly?

No, you cannot sue the hospital directly. The FTCA requires first filing an administrative claim with the VA. If that claim is denied, you can then file a federal lawsuit against the United States government, not the hospital itself.

What damages can I recover for malpractice at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital?

Compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the negligent care. FTCA claims follow federal law regarding damages, rather than Missouri state limits.

Do I need a Missouri attorney for my Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital claim?

While not required, having an attorney experienced in FTCA claims is highly recommended. Our firm handles cases nationwide and understands both the medical and legal aspects of VA malpractice claims.

How long does the claim process typically take?

The administrative review takes up to six months, after which you may need to file a federal lawsuit if the claim is denied. The entire process, including potential settlement negotiations or trial, can take one to two years or longer.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Missouri facilities:

• General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital (Fort Leonard Wood) →
• John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital (St. Louis) →
• John J. Pershing VA Medical Center (Poplar Bluff) →
• Kansas City VA Medical Center (Kansas City) →
• St. Louis VA Medical Center-Jefferson Barracks (St. Louis) →

If you've experienced medical negligence at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, you have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, these cases involve strict deadlines and specific procedures that must be followed precisely to protect your rights to compensation.

You must file your FTCA claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the negligent care at Truman VA Hospital. 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.

For VA medical malpractice cases, working with an attorney who is also a licensed medical doctor provides crucial advantages. A doctor-attorney can quickly identify deviations from the standard of care, understand complex medical records, and effectively communicate with VA medical experts. This dual expertise is particularly valuable when building evidence for cases involving surgical errors, medication mistakes, delayed diagnoses, or other medical negligence at Truman VA Hospital.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover various types of damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering. For veterans with service-connected disabilities who experienced additional harm due to VA negligence, these damages can be substantial. Family members may also be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium and other related damages.

If you or a family member received substandard care at Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, you can request a free case evaluation to understand your legal options. An experienced doctor-attorney can review your medical records, explain the FTCA process, and help determine if you have a valid claim - all at no cost to you. Don't let concerns about legal fees prevent you from seeking justice; most FTCA attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case.

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

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