Wyoming VA & Military Misdiagnosis Malpractice Attorneys

Veterans and military families trust Wyoming federal facilities to accurately diagnose their medical conditions. Unfortunately, diagnostic errors at VA medical centers and military hospitals can have devastating consequences, leading to delayed treatment, disease progression, and even preventable deaths.

Our founding attorney is both a licensed attorney and medical doctor, bringing unique expertise to misdiagnosis cases that other firms cannot match. The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) lets you seek compensation for federal healthcare negligence, but it requires expert knowledge of medical and federal law standards. Under the FTCA (28 U.S.C. § 2675), injured parties must file an administrative claim within two years of discovering the malpractice before pursuing federal court litigation.

With over $145 million recovered for clients and 25+ years of experience handling FTCA claims nationwide, we understand how misdiagnosis occurs and how to hold the federal government accountable for medical negligence at its facilities.

• Failure to Order Appropriate Diagnostic Tests: When physicians fail to order necessary imaging studies, blood work, or specialized testing based on patient symptoms, serious conditions like cancer or heart disease can be missed entirely.

• Misinterpretation of Test Results: Radiologists or physicians may incorrectly read CT scans, MRIs, or lab values, dismissing critical findings and leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions.

• Inadequate Patient History Taking: Rushed appointments and failure to thoroughly review patient medical history can cause providers to overlook important symptoms or risk factors that would lead to proper diagnosis.

• Communication Failures Between Providers: Poor communication between specialists, primary care physicians, and healthcare team members can cause missed critical diagnoses.

• Cognitive Bias and Anchoring: Providers who make premature diagnostic assumptions or fail to consider alternative diagnoses when initial treatments don't work may miss serious underlying conditions.

• Inadequate Follow-up Protocols: Failure to schedule appropriate follow-up appointments or monitor patient response to treatment can result in missed opportunities to correct an initial misdiagnosis.

Our firm represents patients who suffered misdiagnosis at federal medical facilities throughout Wyoming, where complex cases and high patient volumes can contribute to diagnostic errors.

• Cheyenne VA Medical Center, Cheyenne: The Cheyenne VA Medical Center handles diverse medical conditions and serves veterans throughout southeastern Wyoming.

• Sheridan VA Medical Center, Sheridan: Serving northern Wyoming veterans, this facility's emergency and specialty services are critical areas where diagnostic accuracy is essential.

• F.E. Warren Air Force Base Medical Facility, Cheyenne: Military treatment facilities often see young, active-duty personnel whose symptoms may be dismissed or attributed to training-related issues rather than serious medical conditions.

• VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics: Multiple CBOC locations throughout Wyoming provide primary care where early detection and proper diagnosis are crucial for patient outcomes.

View all Wyoming VA & Military Facilities

• Your symptoms were dismissed without appropriate testing or examination, and you later discovered a serious condition that should have been diagnosed earlier
• Test results showed abnormal findings that were not properly followed up or explained to you by your healthcare provider
• Multiple visits for the same symptoms resulted in different diagnoses without clear explanation for the changes
• You were told your condition was "nothing to worry about" but later required emergency treatment or hospitalization
• A specialist later confirmed that standard diagnostic procedures were not followed during your initial evaluation
• Your condition worsened significantly because treatment was delayed due to an incorrect initial diagnosis
• You experienced a medical emergency that could have been prevented with proper diagnosis and earlier intervention

Economic Damages

Wyoming misdiagnosis victims may recover substantial economic damages including lifetime medical treatment costs for conditions that progressed due to delayed diagnosis, surgical expenses for procedures that became necessary due to diagnostic delays, prescription medication costs that could have been avoided with timely diagnosis, lost wages and diminished earning capacity when misdiagnosis leads to permanent disability, rehabilitation and physical therapy costs, and home healthcare or assisted living expenses when misdiagnosis results in long-term care needs.

Non-Economic Damages

Misdiagnosis cases often involve significant non-economic damages such as physical pain and suffering caused by disease progression, emotional distress from learning about a preventable medical tragedy, loss of enjoyment of life when delayed diagnosis leads to permanent limitations, anxiety and depression related to the medical trauma, and impact on family relationships and quality of life.

Under Wyoming's Governmental Claims Act (Wyo. Stat. § 1-39-120), claims against the state of Wyoming are capped at $1,000,000 per occurrence. However, this state damage cap does not apply to Federal Tort Claims Act cases filed against VA or military facilities, as these claims are governed by federal law rather than Wyoming state statutes. FTCA claims may be subject to different damage limitations under federal law, and the specific damages available depend on the law of the state where the negligent act occurred, which in Wyoming cases would incorporate Wyoming's damage principles without the state governmental cap restrictions.

Statute of Limitations: Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2401), misdiagnosis claims against VA or military facilities must be filed within two years of when the claim accrued. Wyoming follows a discovery rule for medical malpractice under Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-107, meaning the limitation period begins when the patient discovers or reasonably should have discovered the misdiagnosis. For private healthcare providers, Wyoming extends the filing deadline by six months if the malpractice is discovered during the second year of the limitation period.

Expert Witness Requirements: Wyoming requires medical expert testimony in malpractice cases to establish the standard of care and prove that misdiagnosis constituted a breach of that standard. In misdiagnosis cases, experts must typically be qualified in the same specialty as the defendant physician and demonstrate familiarity with the applicable diagnostic standards and procedures.

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

For FTCA claims against VA or military facilities, you have two years from the date you discovered or should have discovered the misdiagnosis to file an administrative claim with the federal government. Wyoming's state medical malpractice statute provides additional protections, including a six-month extension if the malpractice is discovered during the second year of the limitation period.

Wyoming misdiagnosis victims may recover both economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress). Unlike claims against Wyoming state entities, FTCA claims are not subject to Wyoming's $1 million governmental liability cap, as federal law governs these cases.

Wyoming's Governmental Claims Act damage cap of $1,000,000 does not apply to Federal Tort Claims Act cases against VA or military facilities. These federal claims are governed by federal law and may allow for higher damage awards depending on the severity of the misdiagnosis and resulting injuries.

You cannot sue individual military doctors or VA physicians personally. Under the FTCA, your exclusive remedy is to file a claim against the United States government. The individual healthcare providers have immunity from personal liability, and the federal government assumes responsibility for their negligent acts.

Yes, Wyoming requires qualified medical expert testimony to prove that misdiagnosis occurred and that it violated the standard of care. The expert must typically practice in the same specialty as the defendant physician and be familiar with the diagnostic standards applicable to your specific condition.

FTCA misdiagnosis cases typically take 18-36 months to resolve. You must first file an administrative claim and wait for the government's response, which can take 6-12 months. If the claim is denied or no settlement is reached, you then have six months to file a federal lawsuit, which may take an additional 12-24 months to complete.

Emergency room misdiagnosis cases at VA facilities are covered under the FTCA, but they require proving that the emergency physician failed to meet the appropriate standard of care given the circumstances. Emergency room cases often involve time-sensitive conditions where delayed diagnosis can have particularly severe consequences.

Yes, if misdiagnosis at a Wyoming VA or military facility leads to death, eligible family members can file wrongful death claims under the FTCA. Wyoming's wrongful death statute (Wyo. Stat. § 1-38-102) governs who may recover damages, typically including spouses, children, and parents of unmarried deceased persons.

When you or a loved one has suffered cancer misdiagnosis, heart attack misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, and delayed diagnosis at a Wyoming 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 Misdiagnosis 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 Misdiagnosis cases.

• Wyoming FTCA Experience: We have successfully handled Federal Tort Claims Act cases involving Wyoming 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 Wyoming, with dedicated knowledge of federal medical malpractice law.

• Compassionate Approach: We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that Misdiagnosis takes on families. Our team is here to support you through every step of the legal process.

If you or a loved one suffered cancer misdiagnosis, heart attack misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, and delayed diagnosis at a Wyoming 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 Wyoming Misdiagnosis victims. Our Wyoming Misdiagnosis 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 Wyoming 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.

Wyoming VA Malpractice Information

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

Other Wyoming Case Types We Handle

• Wyoming Surgical Errors Cases
• Wyoming Emergency Room Errors Cases
• Wyoming Brain Injury Cases

Misdiagnosis Resources

• Misdiagnosis Lawyers (Nationwide) - General Misdiagnosis 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 who has experienced a misdiagnosis at a VA facility in Wyoming, you have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, these cases have strict deadlines and procedures you must follow to protect your rights to compensation.

You have two years from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the misdiagnosis to file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95. This is a crucial first step - if you miss this deadline, you may lose your right to pursue compensation entirely. After filing, the VA has six months to investigate and respond to your claim. Only after this administrative process can you file a federal lawsuit if necessary.

For misdiagnosis cases in Wyoming, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be invaluable to your case. These specialized professionals understand both the legal complexities of FTCA claims and the medical standards of care that should have been provided. They can quickly identify where treatment deviated from accepted medical practices and effectively communicate these failures to the court. This medical-legal expertise is particularly important in cases involving delayed cancer diagnoses, missed heart conditions, or other serious medical errors.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be entitled to recover various damages, including all past and future medical expenses related to the misdiagnosis, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering. For military families, this can also include the cost of traveling to receive corrective treatment and compensation for the impact on your quality of life and relationships.

Don't wait to explore your legal options if you suspect medical negligence at a VA facility. Many attorneys who handle FTCA claims for veterans offer free initial case evaluations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they win your case. During this consultation, they can review your medical records, explain your rights, and help determine if you have a viable claim. Remember, protecting your rights begins with understanding them - reach out to a qualified FTCA attorney today to discuss your situation confidentially and learn how they can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

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

• Wyoming Surgical Errors Cases
• Wyoming Emergency Room Errors Cases
• Wyoming Brain Injury Cases
• Wyoming Spinal Cord Injury Cases
• Wyoming Medication Errors Cases
• Wyoming Wrongful Death Cases