The Cleveland VA Hospital Under a Microscope
As a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, you are eligible to enroll in the VA Health Care System. For many, this medical system can be difficult to navigate but it does provide veterans with medical care for a variety of medical conditions. This can include long term care for injuries and illnesses, as well as routine care for colds, annual visits and other related needs. Despite some of the complications and accessibility complaints, the system should be a safe and healthy environment for you or your loved ones to seek treatment and medical care – However, according to recent news and investigations, this may not always be the case.
I have spoken in the past about the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), and about the concealment of medical malpractice in Ohio and across the country. Despite being required to report incidents to the NPDB, physicians and medical professionals can continue their careers and subsequent paths of destruction virtually unscathed. In 2014 alone, Ohio medical professionals reported over 2,210 incidents to the NPDB.
Trouble at our Cleveland VA Medical Center
In our very own back yard the findings are quite nauseating. Following a push in 2015 by lawmakers, inspectors for Veteran’s Affairs were forced to release some of their findings – Separate from the NPDB research, the same laws do not protect all of the VA findings. Stemming from a 2012 report, the Cleveland VA Medical Center is accused of harboring a surgeon that may have caused as many as 15 patient deaths. The surgeon in question has subsequently resigned, but with so many claims, and so many preventative measures in place, my question is how could this have gone on so long?
The 2014 Tragedy and Cover-up of Don Aldanich
One particular case from our Cleveland VA Medical Center is incredibly haunting, and has been revived in the recent news headlines. In 2014, 69 year old Don Aldanich went in for a routine, outpatient dental procedure. The results ended up costing Don his life and the Aldanich family a lifetime of pain. Following the procedure, Don experienced illness and stomach pain uncharacteristic to his recent medical care.
After receiving a second opinion at another hospital here in Cleveland, the Aldanich family discovered that doctors knew and hid the fact that Don swallowed surgical gauze during his dental surgery. The resulting infection and complications cost Don Aldanich his life – A Vietnam veteran, a cancer survivor – killed by a careless, preventable medical mistake.
For my clients and their loved ones, medical malpractice injuries seriously impact their lives. Regardless of your financial status, your care facility, your health and any other impending factors – You should receive the guaranteed standard of care without fear of injury, illness or death as a result of mistakes and negligence. If you or a loved one has received care that resulted in complications or injury at the Cleveland VA Medical Center, or other Cleveland area hospital, you must call my offices immediately.
