Medical Malpractice: Virginia Active Duty Military Personnel Can't Sue Government
Virginia active duty military personnel injured by medical negligence at a military hospital (for example, Portsmouth Naval Hospital) cannot sue the government. The law that prevents this type of lawsuit, no matter how negligent or even willfully reckless the conduct by the government in providing medical care, came from United States Supreme Court case Feres v. United States. The reasoning behind the Feres doctrine is that it protects the government from costly, time-consuming trials that could also damage military discipline.
Medical negligence committed by the government against a military dependent, however, can be pursued. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), a dependent of an active duty military member who is injured or dies as a result of medical negligence by military medical personnel can pursue a claim in negligence. The attorneys at Pierce & Thornton have successfully handled medical negligence cases against the Federal government and have experience in Federal court, which is where an FTCA case must be filed.
