Military families stationed in South Carolina expect the highest standard of medical care from Army, Navy, and Air Force medical centers during prenatal care and delivery. Medical negligence during pregnancy, labor, or delivery at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) can cause devastating birth injuries that affect children for life. These cases involve federal claims against the U.S. government under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), not traditional medical malpractice lawsuits.
At the Archuleta Law Firm, our founding attorney is both a licensed attorney and medical doctor—giving us unique insight into Army hospital birth injury cases and the complex medical standards of care that apply at Naval Medical Centers and Air Force hospitals. Having recovered over $145 million for military families and with 25+ years of experience handling FTCA claims, we understand the challenges active duty service members and their spouses face when seeking justice for birth injuries.
Active duty military families can pursue legal action under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2671-2680) when negligence at South Carolina military facilities causes birth injuries. The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act has expanded these rights, allowing even active duty service members to file claims against the federal government for medical malpractice.
What Causes Birth Injury at South Carolina Military Hospitals?
- Failure to Monitor Fetal Distress: When military medical staff fail to properly interpret fetal heart monitoring strips or ignore signs of oxygen deprivation, the result can be hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), cerebral palsy, or brain damage. Proper monitoring requires continuous assessment and immediate intervention when distress is detected.