The case filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana presents a compelling narrative of alleged medical malpractice and negligence. On November 10, 2025, Nancy Warfel and her husband James Warfel lodged a complaint against the United States of America, specifically targeting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Veterans Administration. The plaintiffs accuse these entities of failing to provide adequate medical care, leading to severe physical and emotional distress.
Nancy Warfel, a veteran with a complex medical history involving a J-pouch procedure from 2000, claims that her subsequent treatment at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Administration Medical Center was substandard. The complaint outlines how Nancy experienced severe abdominal pain and distention but received inadequate care from VA healthcare providers, including Dr. Leonel Lacayo and physician assistant Nhung Nguyen. Despite ongoing symptoms indicative of pouchitis—a condition related to her J-pouch—her pleas for further diagnostic testing or specialist referrals were allegedly ignored.
The Warfels argue that this neglect resulted in prolonged suffering for Nancy, who endured severe pain and emotional distress over an extended period. They assert that their attempts to seek appropriate care through VA channels were met with dismissive attitudes and unfounded accusations of drug-seeking behavior. This narrative is supported by Dr. Isaac Payne, a colorectal surgeon who reviewed Nancy’s case and opined that the standard of care was not met by the VA physicians.
In their lawsuit, the Warfels are seeking judgment for damages exceeding $75,000 due to past, present, and future pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, and other related damages. They also claim loss of consortium for James Warfel due to his wife’s prolonged health issues.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Shawn C. Reed, Kyle T. Del Hierro, Jonathan C. Pedersen from Reed & Pedersen in Covington, Louisiana; along with Mark G. Montiel Jr., from Montiel Hodge in New Orleans. The case is being heard under Case ID 2:25-cv-02295.
Source: 225cv2295_Nancy_Warfel_v_The_United_Statesn_Complaint_Estern_District_of_Louisiana.pdf
