Medical Malpractice at
Naval Medical Center San Diego

Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) stands as one of Southern California's largest and most important military medical facilities, serving active duty service members, their families, and veterans. NMCSD handles over 1.2 million outpatient visits yearly, offering comprehensive healthcare from routine checkups to complex surgeries.

Despite its reputation for excellence, medical errors and negligence can still occur at NMCSD. When healthcare providers fail to meet the accepted standard of care, patients may suffer serious injuries or devastating outcomes. Our firm's founder is both a licensed attorney and medical doctor, giving us unique insight when investigating military medical malpractice cases.

If you were harmed by negligent care at Naval Medical Center San Diego, the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) provides a way to seek compensation. Our firm's combined medical and legal expertise has helped recover over $145 million for military families affected by medical malpractice, including numerous cases involving NMCSD.

Originally established in 1917 as Naval Hospital Balboa Park, Naval Medical Center San Diego has grown into a premier military treatment facility and teaching hospital. Since 1988, the facility has served Navy Medicine West as a major medical center, treating active duty personnel, families, and veterans across Southern California.

The medical center offers comprehensive services across multiple specialties, including:

• Emergency Medicine: Level III Trauma Center providing 24/7 emergency care
• Surgical Services: General, orthopedic, cardiovascular, and neurosurgery
• Women's Health: Complete obstetric and gynecological care
• Pediatrics: Specialized care for military families' children
• Mental Health: Comprehensive behavioral health services

As a Graduate Medical Education (GME) training center, NMCSD plays a crucial role in training the next generation of military healthcare providers while serving as a key component of California's military healthcare system.

Military hospitals like NMCSD handle thousands of deliveries annually. Birth injuries can occur when obstetric staff fail to properly monitor fetal distress, delay necessary C-sections, or mismanage shoulder dystocia. These errors can lead to devastating outcomes for military families. Learn more about birth injury claims →

Due to its high surgical volume, NMCSD patients risk wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, or anesthesia errors. The military hospital setting's unique challenges, including staff rotations and training requirements, can contribute to these mistakes. Learn more about surgical error claims →

As a Level III Trauma Center, NMCSD's emergency department handles critical cases daily. Delayed diagnosis, failure to order appropriate tests, or improper triage can lead to devastating outcomes. Learn more about emergency room error claims →

Complex military healthcare systems increase the risk of medication mistakes. Wrong dosages, drug interactions, and administration errors can seriously harm patients at NMCSD.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), patients injured by negligent care at NMCSD must first file an administrative claim before pursuing a lawsuit. This claim must be filed with the Department of the Navy's Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) using Standard Form 95.

The process requires strict adherence to specific deadlines:

• You must file your administrative claim within two years of discovering your injury
• The Navy has six months to investigate and respond to your claim
• If your claim is denied, you have six months to file a federal lawsuit

Military medical malpractice claims require attorneys who understand both medicine and military procedures. Our firm's doctor-attorney and experienced legal team can guide you through every step of the process.

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

While FTCA claims follow federal law, California's medical malpractice standards may influence how cases are evaluated. Under California Civil Code § 3333.2, non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases are capped at $250,000, though this cap's applicability to FTCA claims depends on specific circumstances.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these California facilities:

• 60th Medical Group, David Grant USAF Medical Center (Travis AFB) →
• Fresno VA Medical Center (Fresno) →
• Jennifer Moreno VA Medical Center (San Diego) →
• Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans' Hospital (Loma Linda) →
• Martinez VA Medical Center (Martinez) →

If you've experienced medical malpractice at Naval Medical Center San Diego, you need to understand your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). As a veteran or military family member, you have the right to seek compensation for medical negligence, but strict deadlines and procedures must be followed.

The FTCA requires you to file your claim within two years from when you knew or should have known about the malpractice. This starts with filing an administrative claim using Standard Form 95. Once submitted, the Navy has six months to investigate and respond to your claim. Only after this administrative process can you file a federal lawsuit if your claim is denied or inadequately settled.

For cases involving Naval Medical Center San Diego, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your success. These specialized professionals understand both the complex medical issues and the unique legal requirements of military medical malpractice claims. They can accurately evaluate your medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and effectively communicate these issues to government attorneys and the court.

Under the FTCA, you may be entitled to recover various types of damages. These can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. For military families, this might include long-term care costs, rehabilitation expenses, and compensation for permanent disabilities resulting from the medical negligence.

The process of filing an FTCA claim against Naval Medical Center San Diego is complex and time-sensitive. Missing deadlines or failing to properly document your claim can result in losing your right to compensation entirely. Many law firms that specialize in military medical malpractice offer free initial case evaluations to help you understand your options.

Don't wait to seek legal guidance if you believe you've been harmed by medical negligence at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Contact an experienced FTCA attorney for a free case evaluation to protect your rights and understand your options. A qualified attorney can help evaluate your claim, ensure proper documentation, and guide you through this complex process while you focus on your recovery.

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

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