Medical Malpractice at
Naval Hospital Beaufort

Naval Hospital Beaufort is a military treatment facility that provides healthcare to active duty service members, their families, and military retirees in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Located at 1 Pinckney Boulevard, this facility offers a comprehensive range of medical services including emergency care, primary care, obstetrics, surgery, and specialized treatments.

Medical errors and negligence can occur at Naval Hospital Beaufort despite dedicated healthcare professionals striving to provide quality care. When preventable mistakes lead to serious injury or death, patients and their families have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). These cases require specialized knowledge of both military healthcare systems and medical malpractice law.

Our firm's physician-attorney leadership provides medical and legal expertise to Naval Hospital Beaufort malpractice claims. With our understanding of military medicine and 25 years of experience handling FTCA claims, we can evaluate and pursue cases of negligent care at military facilities.

Naval Hospital Beaufort is a fully accredited military treatment facility that serves the Tri-Command area, including Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. The facility provides comprehensive medical care to active duty personnel, their family members, and other eligible TRICARE beneficiaries.

The hospital offers a wide range of medical services including 24/7 emergency care, general surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and mental health services. Their emergency department provides critical care services, though it is not designated as a trauma center.

Naval Hospital Beaufort is a primary military healthcare facility in South Carolina and plays an essential role in maintaining the medical readiness of active duty personnel and providing care to military families. The facility serves thousands of patients annually through its various departments and specialty clinics.

• Birth Injuries: Obstetric negligence during labor and delivery can result in serious harm to mothers and infants. Military hospitals often face staffing challenges that can impact proper fetal monitoring and timely C-section decisions. Learn more about military birth injuries in South Carolina →

• Surgical Errors: Preventable surgical mistakes may include wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, or anesthesia errors. The military health system's rotation of surgical staff can increase these risks. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Room Mistakes: Delayed treatment, misdiagnosis, or failure to properly triage in the ER can have devastating consequences. Military emergency departments face unique challenges with combat-related injuries and varied experience levels among rotating staff. Learn more about emergency room errors →

• Medication Errors: Incorrect medication dosing, dangerous drug interactions, or administration errors can cause serious harm. Military pharmacies handling high patient volumes may face increased risk of medication mistakes.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), patients who have experienced medical malpractice at Naval Hospital Beaufort must first file an administrative claim before pursuing a lawsuit. This claim must be filed using Standard Form 95 (SF-95) and include detailed documentation of the negligent care and resulting damages.

The administrative claim should be filed with the appropriate Naval Legal Service Office handling claims for Naval Hospital Beaufort. Our firm's experience with military claims allows us to ensure proper filing and documentation requirements are met, maximizing the chance of a successful claim.

Strict deadlines apply to FTCA claims. You must file your administrative claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the malpractice. After filing, the agency has six months to review your claim. If your claim is denied or the review period expires, 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 South Carolina →

South Carolina's medical malpractice statute of limitations (S.C. Code § 15-3-545) typically allows three years to file a claim. However, FTCA claims against Naval Hospital Beaufort are governed by federal law, which imposes a strict two-year deadline. While South Carolina has caps on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases, these state limits do not apply to FTCA claims, which are governed by federal law.

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

• Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center (Charleston) →
• Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center (Columbia) →

If you've experienced medical malpractice at Naval Hospital Beaufort, you need to understand that claims against military healthcare facilities follow specific rules under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). As a veteran or military family member, you have two years from the date of the incident (or when you reasonably should have discovered the injury) to file your administrative claim using Standard Form 95. This is a strict deadline - missing it can permanently bar your claim.

The process begins with filing your administrative claim with the Department of the Navy. The Navy then has six months to investigate and respond to your claim. They may offer a settlement, deny the claim, or not respond at all. If your claim is denied or six months pass without a response, you have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

Medical malpractice cases involving military facilities like Naval Hospital Beaufort are particularly complex because they combine military regulations, federal law, and medical expertise. Having an attorney who is also a physician provides a crucial advantage - they can quickly identify deviations from the standard of care and effectively communicate with medical experts who will testify in your case. This medical-legal expertise is especially valuable when dealing with the specific procedures and protocols used in military healthcare settings.

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. If you're a dependent or spouse, you may also be eligible to recover damages for loss of consortium or support. However, active duty service members should note that they generally cannot file claims for injuries incident to service under the Feres doctrine.

Given the complexity of these cases and strict deadlines, it's crucial to have your case evaluated as soon as possible. Many attorneys who specialize in military medical malpractice offer free initial consultations to review your case and explain your options. During this evaluation, they can assess whether your claim meets FTCA requirements and help you understand the potential value of your case. Don't wait to seek legal guidance - your right to compensation may depend on taking timely action.

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

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