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$1 million settlement for medical malpractice in connection with a VA hospital’s failure to timely treat emerging stroke symptoms. The plaintiff sustained a permanent brain injury affecting his speech and ambulation.

Veteran Richard Sipocz sat down with INsight to describe his medical malpractice experience as a patient of Dr. Hammersley. Sipocz, along with 12 other veterans has filed a class action complaint against the VA doctor. Host: Welcome back to INsight. We’re here at the Sweeney Studios. I’m here with Richard Sipocz. He is a veteran, served in the U.S. Military, retired from the Air Force. Richard Sipocz: Yes, ma’am. Host: Thank you for that. Richard: Thank you. Host: And we’re talking to you today because you underwent foot surgery at the VA with Dr. Hammersley. Richard: Yes. Host: Let’s talk about that. Tell our viewers how the whole thing started. Richard: Well, I did 24 years in the Air Force and, of course, I retired here, in Fort Wayne, and it was recommended that I, you know, go to the VA, but bottom line was that Dr. Hammersley was the only podiatrist there, so it was kind of like I had no other choice. Host: And he told you that you needed this surgery. Richard: Correct, he did. He, and I was very leery about it, so I asked for a second opinion and I went and seen a local doctor outside of the VA realm and he had suggested, you know, just, there was no surgery that could have been done to correct it, so he suggested fusion, but Dr. Hammersley said he could do something to fix it, so I’d be able to walk again without a cane. Host: So you had the surgery. How’d things go after that? Richard: Pretty bad, because I ended up having to have two surgeries because after the first surgery, during the first surgery, he nicked a tendon and he couldn’t finish it up during that one, so he had to close me up and then go back in a second time, and since then, the prognosis is basically fusion or replacement, so I, and it’s very difficult to do any ordinary household chores. Mowing the lawn. I love doing yard work, but I can’t, I’m unable to do that now. Host: Have you had follow-up appointments with Dr. Hammersley? Richard: Yes. I had to go down to Marion, where his, I guess he was just stationed out of there, but yes. And, you know, each time I told him, I said, you know, it’s, didn’t get any better, didn’t get any better, but that was about it. That’s where it ended up. Host: So when did you learn that there was malpractice incidences against Dr. Hammersley? Richard: The VA had notified me back in 2018, beginning of 2018, that they wanted to talk to me about a doctor. First, they weren’t forthcoming with the information, but then they finally told me that it was concerning Dr. Hammersley and some of the surgeries that they had mentioned that they were unnecessary. They sat me down in a room, there were several administrators, chief surgeon in the VA, and proceeded to tell me how bad my ankle was. They showed me pictures of the deterioration since the surgeries up until, you know, most current, and, basically, that was, you know, an eye opening experience. I didn’t realize what was going on, you know, because I always, well, you know, being a military, you know, veteran, we look for, we don’t, we have, we’re very apprehensive about the VA and, you know, but, but it’s one of the things we get instilled in us while we’re in the military, to stay within that military structure, so it was very difficult. Host: In that meeting, did they encourage you to file a malpractice claim? Richard: Yes, ma’am. As a matter of fact, it’s called a tort claim. Host: Okay. Richard: They said that I had up to two years to file the tort claim and they gave me all this paperwork and everything on how to do it, the steps on how to do it, like a checklist, so to speak, as well as to add that to my current disability rating. Host: So what happened when you did that? Richard: I filled out all the paperwork like I was supposed to. I had received a phone, it took quite a few months, but I received a phone call from a lawyer, seemed like she said that she was representing the VA outside of the Pentagon, and I gave her all the information that she requested and towards the end of the confirma- or that, the conversation we had, she said that she would be remissed if I didn’t tell you that there’s a statute of limitations. And at that moment, I paused. I was like, and that’s when I said, “Then why’d you even tell me?” Because, and then she said, “There’s other avenues,” you know, and all this other stuff, and then, and that’s why I just, I mean, I was so disgusted, you know, and there’s other individuals that are, that this happened to are probably, that are definitely worse off than I am. Host: So that’s when you reached out to Sweeney Law Firm. Richard: Actually, I had seen the, the television, the interview with them on TV, and he, that’s when I emailed them and that’s, I mean, he became my lawyer. Host: You would encourage, if there’s anybody else that’s in your situation, absolutely they should do that. Richard: Oh, absolutely. I, and, you know, there’s a lot of the individuals out there, a lot of vets out there, that aren’t even aware that this is going on. I mean, it’s just, it’s a systemic problem that, I know that it’s getting a lot better than it was in the past, but we still have a long way to go cleaning up the Veteran’s Administration. Host: Well, again, we appreciate your service. Thank you for what you’ve done. If you’re a victim) of malpractice or feel like you were a victim of malpractice at the VA, all you have to do is give them a call today or visit their website at sweeneylawfirm.com. We’ll be right back. Download the full interview transcript.

13 veterans have filed a class-action complaint against VA Northern Indiana Health Care System. The veterans, who were victims of medical malpractice, were patients of Dr. Bradley Hammersley over a seven-year period. The complaint claims hospital staff knew of the botched surgeries. Even though letters were sent to over 100 veterans, most were outside the two-year statute of limitations. The 13 veterans filing the claim tell echoed stories of their experience with widespread malpractice as a result of surgeries by Dr. Hammersley. David Farnbauch is representing the veterans in their claim. Read the full report on VA Medical Malpractice.

Dolly's husband died from medical malpractice and hired Sweeney Law Firm to help handle her case against the hospital.Listen to Dolly describe her experience with Sweeney Law Firm.

Video from Indiana medical malpractice lawyer Dave Farnbauch on an update to Indiana's cap on medical malpractice damages. The video discusses the possible changing of the Indiana medical malpractice cap on damages.  A bill was introduced last year that was going to raise the current cap of 1.25 million, which it has been since 1998.   So the same cap has been in place now for 17 years. The cap was going to be raised to $1,650,000 but that did not pass last year. Another bill was briefly introduced this year that has not passed but its possible that a bill does get passed this year. The Indiana Supreme Court could rule that the cap is unconstitutional and could vacate the entire cap on damages. This is what the insurance companies are most worried about, that the Supreme Court would rule against the cap and eliminate the cap. HISTORY OF THE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CAP The medical malpractice cap in Indiana started in 1975 and started out at $500,000. It then increased to $750,000 and then went to the current $1,250,000 in 1998.  Nothing has changed since then, so its time the Indiana medical malpractice cap in damages increases. Victim of Medical Malpractice Matter? If you have been a victim of a medical malpractice or medical negligence case in Indiana, call the Sweeeney law firm today for a FREE Consultation - Fill out the Case Review Form. Remember there is never a fee, unless we make a recovery for you. 1-866-793-6339 (Toll Free) 1-260-420-3137 (Local) 1-260-969-0321 (Fax)

Latest video from Indiana medical malpractice lawyer Dave Farnbauch on the recent Developments in Indiana medical malpractice law. Video talks about how the medical malpractice review system in Indiana is working.  It can take 2.3 years on average to get your medical malpractice case in front of the medial review panel and then have your case taken to court.  A panel of 3 physicians will review all documents from the parties to see if the case has merit. Preventable medical errors are the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States.    There are things that patients can do to protect themselves from medical errors in Indiana. A damages cap is set in Indiana of 1,250,000.  This means the max amount you can get is just over a million dollars, which is pretty low compared to other states.   The cap in Indiana hasn't been raised in 17 years and there is talk to move the cap up to over 2 million, which needs to happen to keep pace with inflation. If you have been a victim of a medical malpractice or medical negligence case in Indiana, call the Sweeeney law firm today for a Free Consultation. Do You Have a Medical Malpractice Case?  We will consult with board certified physicians and review the merits of your medical malpractice claim for free.

With the cost of medical care and if you've been involved in a serious accident or the victim of a medical mistake. It doesn't take very long before you're overwhelmed with medical bills. One of the biggest fears that people have is that they're not going to be able to afford the medical care they'll need over the course in their lifetime. For three decades our law firm has helped secure the financial future of Injured people. Remember there's never a fee, Unless we make a recovery for you. The Sweeney Law Firm 8109 Lima Road Fort Wayne, IN 46818 Phone: 260-420-3137 Toll Free:  866-793-6339

Preventable medical errors kill and seriously injure hundreds and thousands of Americans every year. The Sweeney Law Firm is committed to standing up for the rights of patients who have been harmed by medical mistakes. Medication errors are among the most common medical mistakes. Almost half of the fatal medication errors occur in patients over the age of 60. If you or a loved one has suffered harm as the result of a medication error call the Sweeney Law Firm now. 1-866-793-6339 (Toll Free) 1-260-420-3137 (Local) 1-260-969-0321 (Fax)

PATIENT 1: The doctor told me that it was going to be a routine surgery. I have not been able to go back to work since surgery. NARRATOR: Have you or a loved one been wrongfully hurt by a hospital or a doctor? Call us Now. PATIENT 2: I went to my doctor every year for a mammogram. I found out that the doctor who read the mammogram missed the tumor. NARRATOR: You deserve to know the truth. It wont cost you anything to have our legal team investigate your case. Call the Sweeney law Firm now. Remember... One click. One call. That's all.

"Did you know that only one in seven victims of medical malpractice ever make a claim? Many people are reluctant to call an attorney about a medical mistake because they are worried about the cost of an attorney or worried about the cost of a legal claim." "The truth is that it will not cost you anything to have our legal-team investigate your medical malpractice claim. The only thing you need to do is pick-up the phone and call to schedule an appointment to discuss your case." At Sweeney Law Firm, the initial consultation is free, and if we agree to accept your case, we will handle your case on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a settlement or recovery of funds. There is no reason to hesitate. You may have a valid claim and be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires. Have your Indiana Medical Malpractice Case reviewed today.

Medical malpractice lawyer David Farnbauch discusses informed consent and how medical providers need to give you all the pertinent information regarding the medical procedures they will be performing on you. Informed consent in Indiana is something that is required in the medical field before a physician or a healthcare provider is allowed to operate or do anything to a patient. If your having some kind of risky surgery, The doctors need to sit down with you and explain to you what is involved with the medical procedure. Do You Have a Medical Malpractice Case? We will consult with board certified physicians and review the merits of your medical malpractice claim for free. Remember there is never a fee, unless we make a recovery for you.

According to a 2006 Institute of Medicine report, medication errors harm an estimated 1.5 million people in the United States every year.  implementing a system a double-checking a patient's medication has been shown to detect more than 95 percent of potential medication errors If you or a loved one have been a victim of a medication error or a medication overdose, call The Sweeney law firm now. Visit the Indiana Medication Errors site. 1-866-793-6339 (Toll Free) 1-260-420-3137 (Local) 1-260-969-0321 (Fax)