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Manchester VA Must Pay $21 Million To Vet For Malpractice

Thomas Fearon

The Manchester VA Hospital must pay $21 million in a medical malpractice lawsuit. 

According to the federal judge who heard the case, a 60-year-old veteran in Bennington suffered a horrific ordeal that left him trapped inside his own body – and the event was entirely preventable.

After Michael Farley suffered a stroke in 2010, VA doctors failed to give him the proper medications to prevent a second stroke.  Medical staff also poorly coordinated Farley's care.

Two months later, a second stroke left his body paralyzed - but his mind alert - as hospital staff stood over him discussing end-of-life care. His children believed their father was conscious, but hospital staff insisted he wasn’t.

The $21 million dollar verdict will help the family retrofit their home and provide future care for the now paralyzed vet.

Michael Farley Ruling, United States District Court, District of N.H.

Before joining NHPR in August 2014, Jack was a freelance writer and radio reporter. His work aired on NPR, BBC, Marketplace and 99% Invisible, and he wrote for the Christian Science Monitor and Northern Woodlands.
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