Medical Malpractice at
Seattle VA Medical Center

The Seattle VA Medical Center, part of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System, serves over 110,000 veterans across 14 counties in the Pacific Northwest. As a major VA healthcare facility affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine, it provides comprehensive medical services including surgery, emergency care, cardiology, mental health treatment, and specialized veteran care programs.

Medical errors and negligence can occur despite the generally high quality of care at this facility. When veterans suffer harm due to substandard care at the Seattle VA Medical Center, they have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, pursuing a VA medical malpractice claim requires extensive knowledge of both medicine and federal law.

As a law firm led by both a licensed attorney and medical doctor (MD/JD), we bring unique medical-legal expertise to VA malpractice cases. Our team understands the complexities of proving medical negligence within the VA system and has recovered over $145 million for victims of medical malpractice.

Established in 1923, the Seattle VA Medical Center is a major veterans' healthcare facility located at 1660 South Columbian Way in Seattle. The medical center serves as the flagship facility of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System and maintains a teaching partnership with the University of Washington School of Medicine, helping train the next generation of healthcare providers.

The medical center provides cardiovascular surgery, bariatric procedures, orthopedic care, and specialized spinal cord injury treatments. Their 24/7 emergency department provides critical care access for veterans throughout the region. The medical center also houses specialty clinics for cardiology, oncology, mental health, and rehabilitation services.

Director William Humphries and Chief of Staff Catherine Kaminetzky, MD, MPH, lead the Seattle VA Medical Center, which is vital to Washington's veteran healthcare network. The facility's size and scope make it crucial for veterans needing routine and complex medical care in the Pacific Northwest.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's extensive surgical programs, errors can occur during cardiovascular, bariatric, or orthopedic procedures. Common issues include wrong-site surgery, post-operative complications, and anesthesia errors. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Department Mistakes: The 24/7 emergency department handles critical cases where delayed treatment or misdiagnosis can have devastating consequences. Errors often result from understaffing or inadequate triage protocols. Learn about emergency room malpractice →

• Diagnostic Failures: With multiple specialty clinics, missed or delayed diagnoses can occur, particularly in complex conditions like cancer or cardiovascular disease. These errors often stem from communication breakdowns between departments. More about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: Often, veterans need complex medication regimens. Errors in prescribing, dispensing, or monitoring medications can lead to serious harm, especially in patients with multiple health conditions.

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) detailing the incident, injuries, and damages sought.

For the Seattle VA Medical Center, administrative claims should be filed with: VA Regional Counsel (Region 2) 1220 SW Third Avenue, Suite 1400 Portland, OR 97204

Critical deadlines apply to these claims. Veterans must file their administrative claim within two years of discovering their injury. After filing, the VA has six months to investigate and respond. If the claim is denied or the six months pass without a response, 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 Washington →

Washington state's medical malpractice statute of limitations (RCW 4.16.350) typically allows three years from the date of injury or one year from discovery. However, FTCA claims follow federal deadlines, which take precedence over state limits. Washington has no strict damage caps for medical malpractice cases, but FTCA claims may be subject to federal limitations and guidelines.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Washington facilities:

• American Lake VA Medical Center (Tacoma) →
• Jonathan M. Wainwright VA Medical Center (Walla Walla) →
• Madigan Army Medical Center (Tacoma) →
• Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center (Spokane) →
• Naval Hospital Bremerton (Bremerton) →

If you've experienced medical malpractice at the Seattle VA Medical Center, you have important legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), but strict deadlines apply. You must file your administrative claim within two years of when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury and its cause. This is done by submitting Standard Form 95 to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Once filed, the VA has six months to investigate and respond to your claim before you can proceed with a federal lawsuit.

When dealing with VA medical negligence cases in Seattle, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your case's success. These specialized lawyer-physicians understand both the complex medical issues involved and the unique legal requirements of suing a federal entity like the VA. They can accurately evaluate medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and effectively communicate with treating physicians at the Seattle VA Medical Center and other facilities.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover various types of damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. For veterans with service-connected disabilities who experienced additional harm due to VA negligence, these damages can be particularly significant. Unlike with private medical malpractice cases, punitive damages are not available against the federal government under the FTCA.

Given the complexity of these cases and the strict deadlines involved, it's important to have your potential claim evaluated as soon as possible. Many attorneys who handle VA medical malpractice cases offer free initial consultations to veterans and their families. During this evaluation, they can review your medical records, explain your legal options, and help determine if you have a viable claim against the Seattle VA Medical Center. Remember, you served our country - now let an experienced attorney serve you by protecting your legal rights and helping you seek the compensation you deserve for medical negligence at the VA.

Contact a qualified attorney today for a free, confidential evaluation of your potential claim. There's no obligation, and most VA malpractice attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case.

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

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