Nearly 13,000 U.S. veterans are at risk for potentially fatal infections due to improper hygiene practices at VA hospitals – which may amount to VA med mal. Reports of dentists failing to sterilize equipment or change dirty latex gloves between patient use has exposed veterans to HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne diseases. While the VA has allegedly attempted to clean up its act in the past few years, some say that more needs to be done. Quickly.
That's what several politicians have said about investigations that have uncovered evidence that nearly 13,000 U.S. veterans may have been victims of improper hygiene practices at VA hospitals in Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. So far, reports show that veteran hospital injuries include eight veterans who tested positive for HIV and 61 veterans who tested positive for hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-OH, was quoted as saying, "This is abhorrent, that any patient who entered a VA hospital would be placed at such risk. Our veterans deserve the quality of care they were promised." Another politician, Rep. Russ Carnahan, D-MO, said, “In my years in public service, this is one of the issues that has made me madder than anything I've ever seen.
Many vets affected by the questionable medical practices simply don't know what to make of the allegations and wonder if they may have somehow been affected by these latest situations. And rightfully so. There have been numerous reports of potential VA medical malpractice over the past few years that have led to substantial investigations and finger pointing.
So, what's happening – or not happening – at VA hospitals around the nation that's putting those who fought to protect our country at such grave risk? Veterans medical malpractice lawyers say that there are many possible reasons, including faulty or dirty medical equipment, equipment that isn't being operated correctly, hospital staff negligence and other factors. Regardless of how the medical malpractice occurred, lawyers say that injured vets do have options.
VA medical malpractice lawsuits fall under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and any veteran may file a lawsuit to seek compensation for an injury. However, doing so can be procedurally difficult due to VA policies and procedures, the Department of Justice's claims process and federal court limitations. In fact, many veterans medical malpractice attorneys limit their practices to this specific area. If you've been injured, you owe it to yourself and your family to find out more about what you might be entitled to so that you can decide for yourself whether taking further action is right for you.