Alexandria, VA Negligent Medical Care Leading to Suicide
Suicide among active duty military and veterans has been a concern for years, which is why the US Department of Defense (DoD) has reinforced its efforts to address mental health issues. However, data on servicemembers taking their own lives reveals that these initiatives are falling short. The Department of Defense Suicide Prevention Office reports that suicide rates have been increasing since 2015, reaching a rate of 28.7 deaths for every 100,000 active duty troops. It is even more disturbing to learn that these tragedies are usually preventable and only occur because of failures by military health care providers. Surviving family members do have rights in a situation of negligent medical care leading to suicide. You may qualify to recover compensation for your losses, and you can count on Bertling Law Group for legal support. We are prepared to handle all essential tasks during this difficult time, so please contact our firm to set up a no-cost case review. An Alexandria, VA military medical malpractice attorney can provide personalized advice, but some basics are helpful.
Basics on Preventable Suicide Claims
Medical malpractice is generally defined as a deviation from the medical standard of care that applies to a provider when delivering treatment. Medical negligence can lead to suicide when the health care professional knew or should have known that the member of the military was at risk, and did not take appropriate action. Keep in mind a few points about these cases:
- When an active duty military personal commits suicide, survivors have legal remedies under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). You file your claim with the person’s service branch.
- The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) applies when a veteran’s suicide is linked to failures by the Veterans Administration (VA) doctors.
Under both laws, it is possible to recover for funeral and burial costs, as well as losses related to love, consortium, education, guidance, and financial contributions.
Skilled Legal Counsel for NDAA/FTCA Claims
Bertling Law Group is knowledgeable about the legal process for preventable suicide cases, and there are some differences with strategy. Our Alexandria, VA military medical malpractice attorneys will address the factors that impact your claim.
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We will tackle the requirements for an NDAA claim, which goes through the Secretary of Defense for amounts up to $100,000. We will deal with the Secretary of the Treasury to authorize higher damages. The government’s decision with NDAA claims is final.
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With FTCA cases, we will attempt to settle your preventable suicide claim for a fair amount, which is required under the concept of exhausting your administrative remedies. If officials will not settle for a reasonable sum, we will sue in court to obtain compensation.
Discuss Legal Remedies with an Alexandria, VA Military Medical Malpractice Lawyer
At Bertling Law Group, our team has decades of experience serving active duty military and veterans in med mal cases, including those involving preventable suicide. To learn how we can assist with your legal remedies, please call 844-25-7558 or go online to schedule a free consultation.
