Many Texans choose to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Whether it is in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard or any other branch, they derive many benefits from it. One that is supposed to be fundamental and top notch is medical care. This is true for active duty members, retired service members and their families.
Unfortunately, medical mistakes happen on military bases and in health care facilities that are specifically related to service members past and present. Just as civilians have the right to file a legal claim for medical malpractice, those who were treated by military health care professionals can also file a claim if they were injured or became ill due to an error.
However, there are unique problems related to a military malpractice claim. To address them and other concerns that might arise, it is useful to have help from those who are well versed in how the military operates.
Statistics from the fall of 2022 shows problems with military medical malpractice claims
A law that was passed in 2020 was designed to make it easier to file legal claims against military doctors and hospitals. That law is not working as planned. This information was brought to light in the fall of 2022.
The statistics show that service members sought more than $4 billion for medical mistakes. This was from 448 separate claims against several branches of the military. Only 11 were settled. This is around 3%. One in four were denied. Professionals who have handled these cases lament the obstacles they must navigate when filing claims. The military is accused of altering the rules to suit their interests.
A service member cannot file a clam if they were injured as part of their service and medical malpractice falls under that umbrella. The 2020 law gave troops a window to file a claim if they were victimized by malpractice. Still, the branches are moving slowly in settling these claims.
Military medical malpractice claims can be complex and caring help is needed
With the number of military personnel in Texas, concerns about medical errors by Armed Forces doctors and other health care providers as well as the Veterans Administration are common. Given this information as to the obstacles that service members who have been subjected to medical errors face, it is important to have tailored legal advice that understands these specific circumstances.
Contacting professionals who have more than 40 years of experience in the law as well as a focus on military personnel who have been harmed by medical errors, substandard care, misdiagnosis and other missteps can be critical to the case.
In addition to experience, it is vital to have help from someone who cares about the nation’s military and understands how their lives can be upended by military medical malpractice. This is true for active members, retirees and their dependents. To address the physical, emotional and financial challenges that arise after a medical error, it is wise to seek guidance immediately to hold the military accountable and make sure the medical mistake and its aftermath are handled appropriately in every way.
