A retired veteran
is suing the United States government for medical malpractice. This
lawsuit is a great challenge to the Feres Doctrine. This doctrine does not permit members of the
military, current or retired, to sue the government for its negligence. His wife and he claim that military surgeons
messed up his gallbladder operation. As
a result of the doctor's mistake, his legs were amputated. At the
beginning of the surgery the doctors lacerated his aorta cutting off blood flow
to his legs for hours, which is what he claims caused his amputations.
He and his
wife claim that the government failed to supervise "the quality of
medical, surgical, nursing and health care services." Additionally, they claim that the government
also failed to follow rules for patient safety because a resident surgeon
performed the surgery without the necessary supervision.
He and his wife are suing for $34.3 million which includes monetary compensation for pain and suffering, physical impairment, loss of earning, mental anguish and disfigurement. It also includes monetary compensation for his wife for the loss of her relationship, household services and enjoyment of life or loss of capacity to enjoy life.
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