Noteboom The Law Firm

Department of Veterans Affairs Sued for Poor Quality Care of U.S. Veteran

An article in The Times Leader reports Sgt. Stanley Laskowski is a veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that is suing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for not properly treating him.

His $10 million federal lawsuit alleges because of the VA’s inaction that lead to his PTSD symptoms driving him to commit crimes far outside his character. His lawsuit is based on medical malpractice and alleges VA clinicians and doctors “botched” his mental health care following his 2007 PTSD diagnosis.

Laskowski was declared 100% disabled due to his PTSD. He sought care at the local VA and was written prescriptions but never given any counseling. Without proper guidance and someone overseeing his prescriptions, Laskowski began to self-medicate. He eventually broke into a pharmacy in an effort to get drugs to treat his symptoms and now is facing criminal charges.

The main issue to be decided is if the alleged negligence on the behalf of the VA was a direct and proximate cause of Laskowski’s claimed injuries, which include: 

• ·        medical expenses;
• ·        mental anguish; and
• ·        past and future lost earnings. 

The VA claims it would be impossible to foresee Laskowski committing a crime. Additionally, they claim Laskowski “downplayed the severity of his symptoms to medical staff.” A federal judge will decide these as well as multiple other issues once the case goes to trial.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today – 1-888-234-5758.