Disabled Vet Malpractice

[Darel]

In Aug of 2006 i received a bilateral laparoscopic hernia repair, wile still in boot camp. Managed to force my way threw boot camp, after recovering from a post surgical hematoma of the right scrotal sack, and being released for full duty.

Shortly after getting to the next level of training it became extremely apparent that something was very wrong with my surgery site. After being sent to see a new surgeon, they decided they needed to do an open hernia repair on the left side. I received the second surgery in Jan of 2007. Due to an excess of scar tissue they were unable to even get to the mesh pad that was put in during the first surgery, and "may have damaged some nerves in the proses of trying to cut threw the scar tissue."

Less that 2 months after the second surgery i was sent to pain management, were they exhausted every form of pain relief they had at there disposal, including a couple medications that were still in the proses of being released for use by the FDA. I actually managed to loose a good year of memory from the amount of medications they had me on to deal with the pain. After they had ran out of all other options they simply told me that i was going to have to learn to deal with it for the rest of my life, and began my discharge paperwork from service.

Now that Im out of the military, and have been in the VA system for 1.5 years, I am finding out more and more about the situation, and how having both a laparoscopic followed by a open was something a Dr should have never done to begin with(a quote from my current general surgeon). Also due to very large quantities of scar tissues formed around the mesh pads(and possibly the nerves in the immediate area), im having progressive and new problems. My VA general surgeon says another operation has more risks then possible positive outcomes, and it will continue to progressively get worse for the rest of my life.

Im now sitting with no ability to get a job, and only getting $541.00 a month from the VA system, due to "inadequate proof that i don't have the ability to work." I have one damaged nerve from the laparoscopic surgery(genitofemoral nerve) causing severe pain in my mid thigh and scrotum, and two damaged nerves from the open surgery(lateral femoral cutaneouse nerve and ilioinguinal nerve) causing severe pain to the remainder of my anterior leg and some of my lower get. The over strain of the right leg, and large mass of scar tissue on the right side, are causing residual and slowly expanding problems with the lower right side of my body. The problems with my legs are now messing up all of my lower body joints as well as my lower back. I have had to go to the emergency room a good 6 times since i got out of the military 2 years ago, just for the amount of pain i was in.

So this leaves me as a 22 year old Permanently disabled Veteran, making significantly less that the poverty level, and no ability to get a job. My options given to me are Have another surgery that will most likely paralyze most of the lower half of my body, start a permanent dose of pain killers(I already was addicted to them once wile i was in the military due to how long they had me prescribed them), or finally live in pain that prevents me from having a normal life for as long as i stay alive. the sad part is that the last option is the best option of the three.

Considering all of the information given, what are my legal options, considering everything happened wile i was an active member of the military?

Sorry for any grammatical or spelling mistakes, mind hasn't worked right since i was prescribed into an overdose. Feel free to fix anything you want.

[Gervin]

Your troubles started with that first surgery, but later surgeries have done even more damage. You can sue for compensation, and possibly for a repair of the damage even if some doctors feel you can't.

See a malpactice lawyer. You probably will do well to find one with experience suing the military. Telephone your local Bar Association and ask for a list of lawyers who fit your needs. Then start calling them. I think you should be able to find a ;awyer willing to take your case. Keep at it until you do.