Puerto Rico VA & Military Spinal Cord Injury Malpractice Attorneys

Veterans and military families trust Puerto Rico's VA medical centers and military hospitals for safe, competent treatment. Unfortunately, medical negligence during surgeries, emergency care, or routine procedures can result in catastrophic spinal cord injuries that permanently alter lives and require lifelong care.

Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating consequences of medical malpractice, with the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center reporting that medical/surgical complications account for a significant percentage of spinal cord injuries in healthcare settings. Our founding attorney combines medical doctor (MD) and law degree (JD) credentials to provide unparalleled insight into medical standards and legal strategies for maximum compensation.

If you or a loved one suffered a spinal cord injury at a Puerto Rico VA or military facility, know that the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) protects your legal rights. The FTCA allows you to file a claim against the United States government for medical negligence, so act quickly and work with experienced counsel who understands federal law and Puerto Rico's legal landscape, due to strict deadlines and procedural requirements.

• Surgical Positioning Errors: Improper patient positioning during lengthy surgeries can compress the spinal cord or restrict blood flow to spinal tissues. Medical staff must follow established protocols for positioning and regularly check patients during procedures to prevent pressure-related spinal damage.

• Anesthesia Complications: Incorrectly administered epidural or spinal anesthesia can cause direct trauma to the spinal cord through needle placement errors, infection, or hematoma formation. Anesthesiologists must use proper technique and sterile conditions to prevent these devastating complications.

• Delayed Diagnosis of Spinal Conditions: Failure to promptly diagnose and treat conditions like spinal abscesses, tumors, or cauda equina syndrome can result in permanent spinal cord damage. Emergency room physicians and specialists must quickly recognize warning signs and order appropriate imaging studies.

• Post-Operative Monitoring Failures: After spinal surgeries, patients require careful monitoring for signs of complications like bleeding, infection, or hardware failure. Nursing staff and physicians who fail to recognize and respond to neurological changes can allow preventable spinal cord damage to occur.

• Medication Errors: Incorrect dosing of blood thinners or failure to provide appropriate DVT prophylaxis can lead to spinal hematomas or blood clots that compress the spinal cord. Pharmacy and nursing protocols exist specifically to prevent these medication-related injuries.

• Emergency Room Mismanagement: Trauma patients with potential spinal injuries require immediate immobilization and careful handling. Negligent emergency personnel can cause or worsen spinal cord damage by ignoring spinal precautions or misinterpreting imaging studies.

We represent clients who suffered spinal cord injuries at major VA medical centers and military treatment facilities throughout Puerto Rico. These facilities handle complex surgeries, emergency trauma care, and specialized procedures where spinal cord injuries can occur due to medical negligence.

• VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan - This major VA medical center provides comprehensive surgical and emergency services where positioning errors, anesthesia complications, and post-operative monitoring failures can lead to spinal cord injuries.

• U.S. Naval Hospital Roosevelt Roads - Military personnel and families receive care at this facility where emergency trauma management and surgical procedures require strict adherence to spinal protection protocols.

• Fort Buchanan Army Health Clinic - While primarily an outpatient facility, emergency situations and certain procedures performed here require proper spinal precautions to prevent iatrogenic injuries.

View all Puerto Rico VA & Military Facilities

• Sudden onset of paralysis or weakness immediately following a medical procedure, surgery, or emergency room visit
• Loss of sensation below a certain level of your body that began during or shortly after medical treatment
• Development of bowel or bladder dysfunction following spinal anesthesia, epidural procedures, or spinal surgery
• Medical staff failed to properly position you during lengthy surgical procedures or didn't check for pressure points
• Delayed diagnosis despite presenting classic symptoms of spinal cord compression (severe back pain, neurological deficits, bowel/bladder changes)
• Infection at epidural or spinal injection sites that wasn't promptly treated with antibiotics
• Emergency room staff moved you without spinal precautions after a trauma or failed to order appropriate spinal imaging
• Post-operative complications weren't recognized or treated promptly, allowing spinal cord damage to progress

Economic Damages

Puerto Rico spinal cord injury cases can recover substantial economic damages reflecting the lifetime costs of this catastrophic injury. These include lifetime medical care costs for ongoing rehabilitation, physical therapy, and specialized medical equipment. Attendant care expenses for personal care assistance can exceed $100,000 annually for complete injuries. Home and vehicle modifications to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility equipment often require substantial upfront costs. Lost wages and diminished earning capacity represent significant damages, particularly for younger victims who face decades of lost income. Prescription medications, including pain management and muscle relaxants, create ongoing monthly expenses that continue for life.

Non-Economic Damages

Spinal cord injuries cause profound non-economic damages that significantly impact quality of life. Pain and suffering encompasses both the physical pain from the injury and the emotional trauma of adapting to permanent disability. Loss of enjoyment of life reflects the inability to participate in previously enjoyed activities, sports, and hobbies. Emotional distress and depression commonly accompany spinal cord injuries as patients adjust to their new reality. Loss of consortium affects intimate relationships and family dynamics when a spouse becomes a caregiver.

Puerto Rico-Specific Considerations

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2674), damages in Puerto Rico federal facilities are determined by Puerto Rico law. Research indicates that Puerto Rico medical malpractice claims generally have no specific damage cap, allowing full recovery of economic and non-economic damages. However, punitive damages are prohibited under the FTCA regardless of Puerto Rico state law. The interaction between federal FTCA limitations and Puerto Rico's damage rules requires careful analysis by experienced counsel familiar with both jurisdictions.

Statute of Limitations: The Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675) requires filing an administrative claim within two years of when the injury occurred or should have been discovered. This federal deadline applies regardless of Puerto Rico's state statute of limitations. In the recent case Roldán v. United States, the First Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed that FTCA claims accrue when the injured party should have been aware of the injury and its potential connection to medical care, even if additional medical information is discovered later.

Expert Witness Requirements: Puerto Rico medical malpractice cases typically require expert medical testimony to establish the standard of care and prove that negligence caused the spinal cord injury. For FTCA cases involving complex spinal injuries, qualified neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, or other specialists must review medical records and provide opinions about whether care met accepted medical standards.

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

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), you must file an administrative claim within two years of when you discovered or should have discovered your spinal cord injury was caused by medical negligence. This federal deadline applies to all VA and military facility claims in Puerto Rico, regardless of any longer Puerto Rico state limitations period.

You can recover both economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care costs, equipment) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life). Research indicates Puerto Rico has no specific cap on medical malpractice damages, but punitive damages are prohibited under federal FTCA law regardless of state law.

Current research suggests Puerto Rico medical malpractice claims have no specific damage cap, allowing full recovery of both economic and non-economic damages. However, FTCA claims are still subject to federal limitations, including the prohibition on punitive damages under 28 U.S.C. § 2674.

No, under the Federal Tort Claims Act, you can only sue the United States government, not individual military doctors or VA physicians. The FTCA provides the exclusive remedy for medical malpractice at federal facilities, substituting the government as the defendant in place of individual healthcare providers.

Yes, Puerto Rico medical malpractice cases require expert medical testimony to establish the standard of care and prove negligence. For spinal cord injury cases, this typically means a qualified neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeon, or anesthesiologist must review your case and provide testimony about whether the care you received met accepted medical standards.

FTCA cases typically take 18-36 months from filing the administrative claim to resolution. The federal agency has six months to respond to your initial claim, and if denied, federal court litigation can take additional months or years. Spinal cord injury cases often take longer due to their complexity and the need for extensive medical documentation.

Emergency room cases require proving that the medical staff's actions fell below the standard of care expected in emergency situations. This includes failure to follow spinal precautions for trauma patients, delayed diagnosis of spinal cord compression, or improper handling of patients with potential spinal injuries.

Yes, if your spinal cord injury developed over time due to an infection, undiagnosed condition, or complication from treatment at a federal facility. The key is proving that the injury resulted from negligent care at the VA or military hospital, even if symptoms appeared weeks or months later.

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

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

Puerto Rico VA Malpractice Information

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

Other Puerto Rico Case Types We Handle

• Puerto Rico Surgical Errors Cases
• Puerto Rico Emergency Room Errors Cases
• Puerto Rico 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 in Puerto Rico dealing with a spinal cord injury 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 when federal healthcare providers' negligence causes harm, but you must act within strict timeframes.

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 filing must be made with the Department of Veterans Affairs before any lawsuit can proceed. Once you submit your claim, the VA 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 in Puerto Rico, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can significantly strengthen your case. These specialized professionals can better identify deviations from the standard of care, understand complex medical records, and effectively communicate with treating physicians. They can also anticipate future medical needs and accurately calculate long-term care costs specific to spinal cord injuries, which is particularly important given Puerto Rico's unique healthcare landscape.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be eligible to recover various damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, necessary home modifications, and compensation for pain and suffering. For spinal cord injury cases, this often includes costs for specialized equipment, ongoing rehabilitation, personal care assistance, and modifications to your home or vehicle to accommodate mobility needs.

Don't let uncertainty about the legal process prevent you from seeking the compensation you deserve. Many attorneys who handle FTCA cases for veterans offer free initial consultations to evaluate your case. During this consultation, they can assess the strength of your claim, explain the process in detail, and help you understand your options. Time is critical in these cases, so it's important to reach out for professional legal guidance as soon as possible to protect your rights and ensure you meet all required deadlines.

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

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