TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Nearly three years ago, Green Beret Richard Stayskal got some very bad news.
Rushed to a civilian hospital, doctors informed Rich and his wife Megan that he had Stage 3 lung cancer.
As Rich later discovered, Army doctors failed to inform him of a spot on his lung months earlier.
A 70-year-old Supreme Court ruling prevented Rich, along with other members of the military, from seeking legal recourse against their doctors.
A bill that will change that and is named after Rich made it through the U.S. House of Representatives this week.
“It’s one big step toward, you know, having the same rights as everybody else,” Rich told 8 On Your Side.
The next step is the Senate, where good bills die. Steve Andrews has the latest tonight at 6 on News Channel 8.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Defense bill includes provision allowing active-duty military to sue for malpractice
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- Green Beret with cancer wants gov’t held accountable, seeks support from veterans groups
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- Green Beret calls for holding military doctors who commit malpractice accountable
- Army docs fail to tell soldier about spot on lung; cancer goes untreated for 6 months
