Medical Malpractice at
Charles George VA Medical Center

The Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, North Carolina, serves as a critical healthcare resource for veterans across Western North Carolina. This 119-bed medical center provides comprehensive medical services, including surgical care, emergency services, cardiology, and specialized veterans' health programs.

Despite high care standards, medical errors and negligence at the facility can cause serious harm to dependent veterans. If medical malpractice occurs at Charles George VA Medical Center, veterans can seek compensation for their injuries under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).

Our firm's founder, a licensed attorney and medical doctor, offers unique insight into VA medical malpractice cases. This dual expertise enables us to evaluate medical evidence thoroughly and navigate the complex FTCA claims process for federal facilities like Charles George VA Medical Center.

Established in 1920, the Charles George VA Medical Center has been serving veterans for over a century. The facility is named in honor of Charles George, a Medal of Honor recipient from Cherokee, North Carolina. Today, it operates as a full-service medical center under the direction of Stephanie Young and Chief of Staff Dr. Nancy Hein.

The medical center provides comprehensive healthcare services including:

• Emergency Care: 24/7 emergency department services
• Surgical Services: General surgery, orthopedics, urology, and ophthalmology
• Specialty Care: Cardiology, oncology, neurology, and mental health
• Women's Health: Primary care, gynecology, and mammography services

With a quality rating of 4 out of 5 stars from VA metrics and a patient experience score of 85.2%, the facility plays a vital role in North Carolina's VA healthcare network, serving veterans throughout the western region of the state.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's active surgical department, errors during procedures can occur. These may include wrong-site surgery, post-operative complications, or anesthesia errors. VA hospitals often face unique challenges with surgical scheduling and staffing that can contribute to these issues. Learn more about surgical error claims →

• Emergency Department Mistakes: The 24/7 emergency department handles critical cases where rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential. Delays in care, misdiagnosis of serious conditions, or failure to properly triage can lead to devastating outcomes. Learn more about emergency room errors →

• Diagnostic Errors: Delayed or missed diagnoses can happen to veterans, especially in complex cases involving multiple health conditions. This is especially critical in areas like cardiology and oncology services. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: Medication management problems, like incorrect dosing, drug interactions, or administration errors, can occur for inpatients and outpatients. VA pharmacy systems require careful coordination to prevent these errors.

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.

For Charles George VA Medical Center claims, submit your SF-95 to: Office of Regional Counsel (342/6) Charles George VA Medical Center 1100 Tunnel Road Asheville, NC 28805

Critical deadlines apply to these claims:

• Two-Year Statute: You must file your administrative claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the malpractice
• Six-Month Review: The VA has six months to review and respond to your claim
• Federal Lawsuit: If your claim is denied, 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 North Carolina →

While FTCA claims are governed by federal law, North Carolina medical malpractice laws (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-15(c)) can influence how these cases are evaluated. North Carolina's statute of limitations for medical malpractice is generally three years, but the federal FTCA's two-year deadline takes precedence for VA claims.

North Carolina's damage caps on medical malpractice claims don't apply to FTCA cases, but federal judges often consider state standards when determining appropriate compensation. For detailed information about state-specific considerations, visit our North Carolina VA Medical Malpractice Guide →

You must first file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 with the VA Regional Counsel office. Our firm can help you properly document your claim and ensure all required medical evidence is included.

What is the deadline for filing a claim against Charles George VA Medical Center?

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 Charles George VA Medical Center directly?

No, you cannot sue the facility directly. Claims must be filed under the FTCA, which requires first going through the administrative claim process with the VA.

What damages can I recover for malpractice at Charles George VA Medical Center?

You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future care needs. birth injury claims → Under the FTCA, punitive damages cannot be awarded against federal facilities.

Do I need a North Carolina attorney for my Charles George VA Medical Center claim?

While not required, having an attorney experienced in both medical malpractice and FTCA claims is highly recommended. Our firm's doctor-attorney can evaluate both the medical and legal aspects of your case.

What types of medical errors are most common at Charles George VA Medical Center?

Based on the facility's services, common issues include surgical complications, medication errors, diagnostic delays, and emergency department mistakes. Each type of error requires specific evidence and expert testimony to prove malpractice occurred.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these North Carolina facilities:

• Cumberland County VA Clinic (Fayetteville) →
• Durham VA Medical Center (Durham) →
• Fayetteville VA Medical Center (Fayetteville) →
• Garner VA Clinic (Garner) →
• Kernersville VA Clinic (Kernersville) →

If you've experienced medical negligence at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, you need to understand your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This special law allows veterans and their families to seek compensation when harmed by negligent medical care at VA facilities, but the process has strict requirements and 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. This initial claim must be filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs before any lawsuit can begin. The VA then has six months to investigate and respond to your claim. If they deny your claim or fail to resolve it within six months, you have six months from that date to file a federal lawsuit.

For cases involving the Charles George VA Medical Center, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your success. These specialized professionals understand both the complex medical issues involved in VA care and the specific legal requirements of FTCA claims. They can accurately evaluate whether the care you received fell below acceptable medical standards and effectively communicate these issues to the VA and, if necessary, to a federal judge.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover various damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. For veterans' families pursuing wrongful death claims, additional damages may be available. Unlike private medical malpractice cases, FTCA claims have no caps on damage awards in North Carolina.

If you believe you or a family member received negligent medical care at the Charles George VA Medical Center, you should seek a free case evaluation from an experienced FTCA attorney. During this consultation, you can learn whether you have a viable claim and understand the specific deadlines that apply to your situation. Time is critical in these cases, so it's important to reach out as soon as you suspect there may have been medical negligence. Most FTCA attorneys handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.

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

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