Civil Case Brought Against VA by Veteran Unhappy With Level of Care
Nov 13, 2012
Tampa, FL (Law Firm Newswire) November 12, 2012 – An Iraq War veteran recently brought suit against the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The former Marine has alleged that he received poor treatment from the VA for his post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and has requested more than $5 million for what he claims was medical malpractice.
Stanley Laskowski III brought suit against the VA in 2010, claiming that the medical center based in Pennsylvania prescribed him medications that were not appropriate for treating his PTSD. His lawyer stated that it was an uncomplicated matter, as the VA has extensive experience medicating for PTSD. According to his attorney, Mr. Laskowski had issues with anger and insomnia, recurring flashbacks, nightmares and paranoia after returning in 2003 from combat in Iraq.
“This is just one of countless cases of a veteran who felt he did not receive adequate care from the Veterans Administration,” commented Tampa veterans’ attorney David W. Magann. “It will be interesting to see how this plays out for Mr. Laskowski and for possible future civil suits.”
During opening arguments, Mr. Laskowski’s attorney stated that Mr. Laskowski had not been seen by a trained psychiatrist or physician for PTSD therapy for four months; he was prescribed medication and had other medications altered based on conversations by phone, when he complained about how he was feeling. While he was referred to a therapist, he did not receive treatment. In 2007, Mr. Laskowski was arrested and jailed after breaking into a pharmacy and stealing prescription medications.
The attorney for the VA said during opening arguments that Mr. Laskowski had a documented history of substance abuse prior to his military service, and that issue, not his PTSD, his alleged lack of treatment for PTSD, or his other medications which led to the burglary. Also, he argued, while the VA did dispense medications that helped Mr. Laskowski with sleep and other issues, he did not fully disclose to VA clinicians the alleged severity of his PTSD. Mr. Laskowski’s attorney argued that Laskowski would not have reached the “flashpoint” break which led to the burglary if he had been treated competently.
The civil trial included seven days of testimony and the non-jury verdict is pending.
To learn more about the Tampa veterans attorney David W. Magann and his law practice, go to http://www.tampaveteranslawyer.com/ or call 813-657-9175.
David W. Magann, P.A.
Main Office:
156 W. Robertson St.
Brandon, FL 33511
Call: (813) 657-9175
Tampa Office:
6107 Memorial Hwy
Tampa, Florida 33615
South Tampa Office:
Bank of Tampa Building
601 Bayshore Blvd Ste 105
Tampa, FL 33606
