Medical Malpractice at
John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital

The John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, provides critical healthcare services to veterans in the region. As part of the VA St. Louis Health Care System, this medical center provides essential services including emergency care, specialty medicine, surgery, and mental health treatment to those who have served our nation.

Medical errors and negligence can occur at John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital, despite most veterans receiving appropriate care. If veterans are harmed by substandard care at John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital, the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) allows them to seek compensation.

As both a licensed physician and attorney, our firm's founder brings unique medical and legal expertise to VA medical malpractice cases. This distinctive background allows us to thoroughly evaluate potential claims against the John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital and advocate effectively for veterans who have been harmed.

Established in 1950 and named after Congressman John J. Cochran, this VA Medical Center has been serving veterans in the St. Louis area for over 70 years. The facility is located at 915 North Grand Boulevard in St. Louis and operates as a full-service medical center within the VA healthcare system.

The hospital's comprehensive medical services include emergency care, primary care, specialty medicine, surgery, mental health treatment, and rehabilitation. The hospital maintains high medical education standards through its affiliation with Saint Louis University School of Medicine.

Key specialties at the facility include cardiology, gastroenterology, oncology, orthopedics, and mental health services. The hospital is crucial for veteran healthcare in Missouri, working with other VA facilities to ensure comprehensive regional care.

• Surgical Errors: Cases involving wrong-site surgery, post-operative complications, or surgical instrument retention occur in VA hospitals nationwide. At John J. Cochran, surgical errors can happen during both routine and complex procedures. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Room Mistakes: The emergency department at John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital handles critical cases 24/7. Errors can include delayed treatment, misdiagnosis of serious conditions, or failure to properly monitor patients. Learn about ER malpractice claims →

• Diagnostic Errors: Missed or delayed diagnoses, particularly in specialties like cardiology and oncology, can lead to serious harm. These errors often result from rushed examinations or failure to order appropriate tests. More about diagnosis errors →

• **Medication Errors **birth injury claims →****: Improper medication dosing, dangerous drug interactions, or administration errors can occur in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Veterans with multiple prescriptions are particularly vulnerable to these mistakes.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), veterans must first file an administrative claim before pursuing legal action for medical malpractice. This process begins by submitting Standard Form 95 (SF-95) to the appropriate VA Regional Counsel office.

File your administrative claim for John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital cases at:

Office of Regional Counsel (025) VA St. Louis Health Care System 915 North Grand Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63106

Strict deadlines apply to these claims. Veterans must file their administrative claim within two years of discovering the injury. After filing, the VA has six months to investigate and respond. If the claim is denied or the six-month period expires without a resolution, 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 laws, including the statute of limitations (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.105), do not directly apply to FTCA claims against John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital. However, Missouri's damage caps may be considered when calculating compensation in FTCA cases. These claims are governed by federal law but may incorporate certain aspects of state law regarding medical negligence standards.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Missouri facilities:

• General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital (Fort Leonard Wood) →
• Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital (Columbia) →
• 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 John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital in St. Louis, you have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), but there are strict deadlines you must follow. 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. The VA then has six months to investigate and respond to your claim before you can file a lawsuit in federal court.

When dealing with medical malpractice at Cochran VA Hospital, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your case's success. These specialized professionals can better understand complex medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and effectively communicate with VA medical experts. They can also help determine whether your injury resulted from negligence rather than a known complication, which is essential for FTCA claims.

Through an FTCA claim against Cochran VA Hospital, you may be entitled to recover various damages. These can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. For veterans, this can also include additional costs of care needed due to worsened service-connected conditions. Unlike private medical malpractice cases, FTCA claims don't allow for punitive damages, making it essential to thoroughly document all actual losses and damages.

If you or a family member received substandard care at Cochran VA Hospital, it's important to act quickly to protect your rights. Many experienced medical malpractice attorneys offer free, confidential case evaluations to veterans and their families. During this consultation, they can review your medical records, explain your legal options, and help determine if you have a viable FTCA claim. Remember, there's no obligation in speaking with an attorney, and most work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay unless they win your case.

Time is critical in these cases, not only because of legal deadlines but also because evidence can become harder to obtain as time passes. Don't wait to get professional legal guidance about your potential claim against Cochran VA Hospital.

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 →