Army physician files federal lawsuit after prohibited medical test triggers severe reaction and alleged cover-up attempt

FORT DETRICK, Maryland - Today, Justly Prudent announce the filing of a federal lawsuit against the United States to seek justice for a distinguished Army physician. Dr. Virginia Duncan, a Supervisory Biologist at Fort Detrick with a Top-Secret security clearance, filed the complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, alleging that medical staff at the Barquist Army Health Clinic administered a PPD skin test in July 2019 despite clear documentation spanning six years that explicitly prohibited such testing due to her history of severe reactions.

According to the complaint, when Dr. Duncan reported the medical error through proper channels, clinic staff allegedly retaliated by falsely claiming she suffered from dementia, requiring unnecessary psychological evaluations, and placing another patient's medical history—including false claims of traumatic brain injury and suicide attempts—in her medical records. These actions allegedly jeopardized both her career and security clearance.

The complaint details how Dr. Duncan suffered severe inflammatory responses and lasting physical injuries from the wrongfully administered test, requiring extensive medical treatment and aggravating her existing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome condition. The lawsuit alleges that clinic staff failed to review her medical records, obtain proper orders, or secure informed consent before administering the test.

"This case highlights an alarming pattern of not only medical negligence but also alleged retaliatory conduct designed to discredit a physician who simply sought to prevent similar errors from happening to others," said Jordan D. Howlette, Managing Attorney at Justly Prudent.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages and demands the removal of all false and defamatory information from Dr. Duncan's medical records. The case argues that the government's actions violated the Federal Tort Claims Act through multiple breaches of the standard of care.

The case is Virginia Duncan v. United States of America (Case No. 1:25-cv-491), filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.