Wyoming VA & Military Wrongful Death Malpractice Attorneys

Medical negligence at Wyoming's VA centers and military hospitals creates both personal tragedy and complex federal legal challenges for grieving families. These preventable deaths represent not just devastating personal losses, but violations of the trust placed in our nation's healthcare providers who serve those who served our country.

Under Wyoming law, families have just two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim, making swift action critical for preserving legal rights. At the Archuleta Law Firm, our founding attorney's unique background as both a licensed attorney and medical doctor provides unparalleled expertise in identifying medical negligence and building compelling cases under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).

Successfully pursuing wrongful death claims through the FTCA requires specialized knowledge of both federal procedures and Wyoming state law. Understanding your rights under this complex legal framework is essential for securing the justice and compensation your family deserves.

• Failure to Diagnose Critical Conditions: When medical staff miss or delay diagnosis of heart attacks, strokes, sepsis, or other life-threatening conditions, patients can die from treatable diseases. This constitutes malpractice when symptoms were present and a reasonable physician would have identified the condition.

• Medication Errors and Drug Interactions: Fatal medication mistakes, including wrong dosages, contraindicated drug combinations, or failure to monitor for adverse reactions, represent clear departures from accepted medical standards that can result in preventable deaths.

• Surgical Complications and Errors: Preventable surgical mistakes like wrong-site operations, retained instruments, or improper monitoring constitute medical negligence below the standard of care.

• Emergency Room Negligence: Failure to properly triage patients, delayed treatment of emergency conditions, or premature discharge from emergency departments can lead to wrongful deaths when patients with serious conditions are not given appropriate urgent care.

• Post-Operative Care Failures: Deaths from preventable post-surgical complications, including unrecognized infections, inadequate monitoring, or failure to respond to deteriorating vital signs, represent breaches of the duty of care owed to patients.

• Anesthesia Errors: Fatal complications from improper anesthesia administration, failure to monitor patients during procedures, or inadequate pre-operative assessment can constitute malpractice when they result from departures from accepted anesthesiology standards.

We represent families pursuing wrongful death claims at federal medical facilities throughout Wyoming, where complex medical cases and understaffing can contribute to preventable deaths.

• Cheyenne VA Medical Center - This primary VA facility serves veterans across southeastern Wyoming and handles complex medical cases where diagnostic errors and treatment delays can prove fatal.

• Sheridan VA Medical Center - Serving northern Wyoming veterans, this facility provides both inpatient and outpatient services where medication errors and surgical complications may lead to wrongful deaths.

• F.E. Warren Air Force Base Medical Facility - This military treatment facility near Cheyenne provides healthcare to active duty personnel and their families, where emergency care failures and misdiagnoses can result in preventable deaths.

View all Wyoming VA & Military Facilities

• Your loved one's condition was misdiagnosed or diagnosis was significantly delayed despite clear symptoms
• Death occurred shortly after a medical procedure or surgery due to complications that should have been prevented or managed
• Medical staff failed to respond appropriately to obvious signs of distress or deteriorating condition
• Medication errors or drug interactions contributed to the death when proper protocols would have prevented the mistake
• Emergency room staff discharged your loved one despite serious symptoms that warranted immediate treatment
• Death resulted from hospital-acquired infections that proper sanitation and monitoring could have prevented
• Multiple medical professionals expressed surprise at the outcome or suggested different treatment should have been provided

Common Questions About VA Wrongful Death Claims Economic Damages

Families can recover substantial economic losses resulting from wrongful death, including lost future earnings calculated based on the deceased's age, occupation, and earning potential over their expected lifetime. Families can recover medical expenses before death, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, and any attempted life-saving procedures. Families can also claim immediate financial impacts such as funeral and burial costs, along with estate administration expenses. Families can also receive compensation for lost benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and other employment benefits the deceased would have received.

Non-Economic Damages

Wyoming law recognizes the profound emotional and relational losses families suffer, including compensation for the loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support the deceased would have provided. Non-economic damages include compensation for the pain and suffering endured by family members because of their loss. Loss of consortium for surviving spouses acknowledges the destruction of the marital relationship and its many dimensions.

Wyoming-Specific Considerations

Under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, liability caps of $250,000 per claimant or $500,000 total apply to state entities, with medical malpractice cases against the State capped at $1,000,000. However, FTCA claims against federal facilities are not subject to these state caps, potentially allowing for higher damage awards. Wyoming's two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims applies strictly, requiring families to act swiftly to preserve their rights under both state and federal law.

Statute of Limitations The Federal Tort Claims Act requires all claims against federal facilities to be filed within two years of the date the claim accrued, which in wrongful death cases is typically the date of death. Wyoming law also imposes a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, creating parallel deadlines that must be met. Under Wyoming's discovery rule, the limitation period may begin when families discover that negligence caused the death, but this exception requires careful legal analysis to apply properly.

Expert Witness Requirements Wyoming requires expert medical testimony to establish the standard of care and prove that departures from that standard caused the wrongful death. These experts must be qualified in the same medical specialty as the treating physicians and familiar with the standards that applied at the time of treatment. For FTCA cases, federal courts apply state law expert witness requirements, making compliance with Wyoming's standards essential for successful wrongful death claims.

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

Both Wyoming law and the Federal Tort Claims Act impose a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims, typically running from the date of death. This deadline is strictly enforced, and failing to file within this timeframe will likely result in permanent loss of legal rights.

Wyoming allows recovery of both economic damages (lost earnings, medical expenses, funeral costs) and non-economic damages (loss of companionship, emotional distress). Unlike claims against state entities, FTCA claims are not subject to Wyoming's governmental liability caps, potentially allowing for higher awards.

Wyoming's governmental liability caps of $250,000-$1,000,000 apply only to state entities, not federal facilities. FTCA claims against VA and military hospitals are not subject to these state caps, though they must still comply with other Wyoming legal requirements.

You cannot sue individual military doctors personally, but you can file an FTCA claim against the United States government for negligence by federal healthcare providers. The FTCA provides the exclusive remedy for medical malpractice at federal facilities.

Yes, Wyoming requires expert medical testimony to prove the standard of care and establish that negligence caused the wrongful death. Federal courts hearing FTCA cases apply state law expert witness requirements, making qualified medical experts essential for success.

FTCA wrongful death cases typically take 18-36 months to resolve, depending on case complexity and the government's cooperation. The process includes a mandatory administrative claim period before litigation can begin, followed by federal court proceedings if the claim is denied.

Wyoming law allows personal representatives of the deceased's estate to file wrongful death claims on behalf of surviving spouses, children, and other dependents. The personal representative must be appointed by the court and has the authority to pursue both state and federal claims.

FTCA cases require filing an administrative claim with the appropriate federal agency before litigation, involve different procedural rules, and are tried before federal judges without juries. The government has sovereign immunity except as specifically waived under the FTCA, making specialized legal expertise essential.

When you or a loved one has suffered preventable deaths due to medical negligence at VA and military hospitals 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 Wrongful Death 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 Wrongful Death 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 Wrongful Death takes on families. Our team is here to support you through every step of the legal process.

If you or a loved one suffered preventable deaths due to medical negligence at VA and military hospitals 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 Wrongful Death victims. Our Wyoming Wrongful Death 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

Wrongful Death Resources

• Wrongful Death Lawyers (Nationwide) - General Wrongful Death 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

As a veteran or military family member in Wyoming dealing with the devastating loss of a loved one due to medical negligence at a VA facility, you have important legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, these cases have strict deadlines and procedures you must follow to protect your claim.

You have two years from the date of the negligent act or death to file an administrative claim with the VA using Standard Form 95. This initial filing must include a detailed description of what happened and a specific damages amount you're seeking. The VA then has six months to investigate and respond to your claim. Only after receiving a denial or waiting six months can you file a federal lawsuit.

Having an attorney who is also a medical doctor is particularly crucial in VA wrongful death cases. These complex claims require both legal expertise and deep medical knowledge to prove that the VA's care fell below accepted standards and directly caused the death. A doctor-attorney can quickly identify deviations from the standard of care, understand complex medical records, and effectively communicate with expert witnesses who will be essential to your case.

Under the FTCA, you may be entitled to recover several types of damages, including medical expenses incurred before death, funeral and burial costs, lost wages and benefits your loved one would have earned, and compensation for the pain and suffering they experienced. Wyoming law also allows surviving family members to recover for loss of companionship, guidance, and emotional support.

If you're considering a wrongful death claim against the VA, you should seek legal guidance as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected. Many experienced FTCA attorneys offer free, confidential case evaluations to help you understand your options. During this consultation, they can review your loved one's medical records, explain the claims process in detail, and determine if you have a viable case - all at no cost or obligation to you.

Remember, these cases are extremely time-sensitive, and gathering the necessary medical evidence takes time. Don't wait until it's too late to explore your legal options and seek the justice your family deserves.

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 Misdiagnosis Cases
• Wyoming Medication Errors Cases