Medical Malpractice at
Tucson VA Medical Center

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS), also known as the Tucson VA Medical Center, is the main VA healthcare facility for veterans in Southern Arizona. This 300-bed medical center provides comprehensive medical services including surgery, emergency care, cardiology, mental health treatment, and specialized veteran care programs.

Medical errors and negligence can occur at the Tucson VA Medical Center, despite most veterans receiving appropriate care. When veterans suffer harm due to substandard medical care, they have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to seek compensation for their injuries.

Our firm's founder, a licensed physician and attorney, offers unique medical and legal insight to VA malpractice cases. This dual background allows us to thoroughly evaluate potential claims against the Tucson VA Medical Center, identify deviations from the standard of care, and effectively advocate for injured veterans.

Established in 1928, the Tucson VA Medical Center has grown into a major healthcare hub serving veterans throughout Southern Arizona, including Tucson, Green Valley, Sierra Vista, Safford, Yuma, and parts of Northwestern Mexico. The facility underwent major renovations in 2018 and now operates as a modern medical center with 300 inpatient beds.

The medical center provides comprehensive healthcare services including general surgery, orthopedics, cardiovascular care, neurosurgery, mental health treatment, and rehabilitation services. The facility, an academic affiliate of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, is also a teaching hospital, providing residency and fellowship programs in many specialties.

The Tucson VA Medical Center offers specialized programs for spinal cord injuries, polytrauma treatment, and mental health services under Director Jennifer Gutowski and Chief of Staff Dr. Sujata Bhushan. The facility plays a crucial role in Arizona's VA healthcare network, providing both primary and specialty care to the region's veteran population.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's surgical services in orthopedics, cardiovascular, and neurosurgery, preventable surgical mistakes can occur. These may include wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, or post-operative complications due to negligence. Learn more about surgical error claims →

• Emergency Department Mistakes: The 24/7 emergency department handles critical cases where delayed treatment or mismanagement can have severe consequences. Common errors include failure to properly triage, delayed treatment of stroke or heart attack symptoms, and inadequate monitoring. Learn about emergency room malpractice →

• Diagnostic Failures: Veterans may experience delayed or missed diagnoses across the facility's various specialty departments. This is particularly critical in cardiology, oncology, and mental health services where prompt diagnosis is essential. Read about diagnosis-related claims →

• Medication Errors: Due to veterans' complex medication needs, errors can happen when medications are prescribed, dispensed, or given. These mistakes may involve incorrect dosages, drug interactions, or failure to account for a patient's medical history.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), veterans must first file an administrative claim before pursuing legal action for medical malpractice at the Tucson VA Medical Center. This process begins by submitting Standard Form 95 (SF-95) to the appropriate VA office.

For claims involving the Tucson VA Medical Center, administrative claims should be filed with:

Office of General Counsel (023) Southern Arizona VA Health Care System 3601 South 6th Avenue Tucson, AZ 85723

Critical deadlines apply to these claims. Veterans must file their administrative claim within two years of discovering their injury. Once filed, the VA has six months to review and respond to the claim. If the claim is denied or the six-month period expires without a response, veterans have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

For complete step-by-step instructions, see our comprehensive guide: How to File a VA Medical Malpractice Claim in Arizona →

While Arizona state law typically imposes a two-year statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims (A.R.S. § 12-542), FTCA claims follow federal guidelines. Arizona does not impose damage caps on medical malpractice awards, which can affect the potential compensation in FTCA claims against the Tucson VA Medical Center.

You must first file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 with the VA Office of General Counsel. Our firm's doctor-attorney can help evaluate your claim and ensure proper documentation before submission.

What is the deadline for filing a claim against Tucson VA Medical Center?

You have two years from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) your injury to file an administrative claim under the FTCA.

Can I sue Tucson VA Medical Center directly?

No, you cannot sue the facility or its employees directly. Claims must be filed under the FTCA, which makes the federal government the proper defendant.

What damages can I recover for malpractice at Tucson VA Medical Center?

You may be eligible to recover economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering). Our firm has recovered over $145 million for military medical malpractice victims.

Do I need an Arizona attorney for my Tucson VA Medical Center claim?

While not required, having an attorney familiar with both FTCA claims and VA medical care is highly recommended. Our firm handles cases nationwide and has a doctor-attorney and nurse on staff.

What if my claim involves care at multiple VA facilities?

Your claim can include negligent care received at multiple VA facilities. Our firm can help coordinate claims involving care at both the Tucson VA Medical Center and other VA facilities.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these Arizona facilities:

• Bob Stump VA Medical Center (Prescott) →
• Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center (Phoenix) →

If you've experienced medical malpractice at the Tucson VA Medical Center, you need to understand your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This special law allows veterans and their families to seek compensation when harmed by negligent medical care at VA facilities, but the process has strict deadlines and requirements you must follow.

You have two years from the date of injury to file an administrative claim with the VA using Standard Form 95. This deadline is crucial - missing it means losing your right to pursue compensation. Once you file your claim, the VA has six months to investigate and respond. If they deny your claim or fail to respond within six months, you then have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

For VA medical malpractice cases in Tucson, working with an attorney who is also a medical doctor can significantly strengthen your case. These specialized professionals understand both the legal complexities of FTCA claims and the medical standards of care that should have been provided. They can accurately evaluate your medical records, identify deviations from proper care standards, and effectively communicate these issues to the VA and, if necessary, to a federal judge.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover various damages, including past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. For veterans with service-connected disabilities who experienced additional harm due to VA negligence, these damages can be particularly significant. Family members may also be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship or wrongful death in the most serious cases.

If you believe you or a family member received substandard care at the Tucson VA Medical Center, you should have your case evaluated by a qualified FTCA attorney as soon as possible. Many attorneys who handle VA malpractice cases offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you. Don't let concerns about legal fees prevent you from exploring your rights - the sooner you seek legal guidance, the better positioned you'll be to protect your interests and pursue the compensation you deserve.

We handle various types of VA and military medical malpractice cases in Arizona:

• Arizona Surgical Errors Cases →
• Arizona Emergency Room Errors Cases →
• Arizona Brain Injury Cases →
• Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Cases →
• Arizona Misdiagnosis Cases →
• Arizona Medication Errors Cases →