Sacramento VA Medical Center
Malpractice Claims

Sacramento VA Medical Center, located in Mather, California, is a full-service VA Medical Center within the VA Northern California Health Care system, providing 24/7 emergency services, surgical services, and specialty care (cardiology, critical care, dermatology, audiology, anesthesia) to veterans across the Sacramento area. Because staff are federal employees, malpractice claims must be filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) — not state court.

Located in Mather, California, the Sacramento VA Medical Center provides crucial healthcare to veterans in Northern California. As part of the VA Northern California Health Care system, this facility provides comprehensive medical services including emergency care, surgery, cardiology, and critical care to thousands of veterans annually. While most care provided meets professional standards, medical errors and negligence can unfortunately occur.

When medical malpractice happens at the Sacramento VA Medical Center, veterans have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). However, claims against VA facilities involve complex federal regulations and strict filing requirements. At the Archuleta Law Firm, our unique combination of medical and legal expertise – with both a licensed physician-attorney and nurse on staff – allows us to thoroughly evaluate VA medical malpractice cases and identify deviations from the standard of care.

The Sacramento VA Medical Center is a federal healthcare facility established on the former Mather Air Force Base. This full-service VA Medical Center is a primary care destination for veterans in Northern California. The facility maintains an academic affiliation with the University of California, Davis School of Medicine, contributing to its role in medical education and research.

The medical center provides a comprehensive range of services including:

• Emergency Services: 24/7 emergency department care
• Surgical Services: General and specialty surgical programs
• Specialty Care: Cardiology, critical care, dermatology, audiology, and anesthesia
• Support Services: Caregiver support and advice nurse programs

Director David Stockwell leads the facility, serving the region's veterans as part of the VA Northern California Health Care system. The medical center's location in Mather makes it accessible to veterans throughout the Sacramento metropolitan area and surrounding communities.

Facility Snapshot

• Classification: VA Medical Center (VAMC), part of Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 21
• Official VA Website: Sacramento VA Medical Center on VA.gov
• Hours: Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (emergency department operates 24/7)
• Patient-Reported Timely Access (VA facility feedback data, effective February 4, 2025): 82% of primary care patients and 86% of specialty care patients reported being seen within a routine timeframe; for urgent needs, 69% reported timely primary care access and 68% reported timely specialty care access

These VA-published access figures are one factor, alongside medical records and expert review, we consider when evaluating a potential delay-of-care claim.

• Surgical Errors: Due to the facility's surgical programs, errors can occur during both routine and complex procedures. Common issues include wrong-site surgery, retained surgical items, and post-operative complications. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Room Mistakes: The 24/7 emergency department handles critical cases; delayed treatment or misdiagnosis can have severe consequences. Errors often stem from overcrowding and inadequate staffing. Learn about emergency room error claims →

• Diagnostic Failures: Missed or delayed diagnoses in specialties like cardiology and critical care can lead to devastating outcomes. These errors often result from communication breakdowns or insufficient testing. More about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: Improper medication administration, incorrect dosing, or drug interactions can cause serious harm. VA pharmacies handle large prescription volumes, increasing error risks.

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 Sacramento VA Medical Center. This claim must be filed with the VA Office of General Counsel using Standard Form 95 (SF-95).

The specific filing requirements include:

• Administrative Claim: Must be filed with VA Office of General Counsel at 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420
• Supporting Documentation: Medical records, expert opinions, and evidence of damages
• Proper Notice: Detailed description of the negligent care and resulting injuries

Critical deadlines apply to these claims:

• You have 2 years from the date of injury (or when you reasonably should have discovered it) to file your administrative claim
• The VA has 6 months to review and respond to your claim
• If your claim is denied, you have 6 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 California →

California medical malpractice regulations may affect Sacramento VA Medical Center cases, even though FTCA claims follow federal law. Because your claim is filed under the FTCA, the 2-year federal deadline discussed above governs when you must submit SF-95 — but several California substantive-law rules still shape the value and handling of your claim:

• State Statute of Limitations Reference: California's own medical malpractice statute of limitations runs 1 year from discovery of the injury, with an outer maximum of 3 years from the date of the act or omission. Federal courts in the Ninth Circuit have applied this 3-year outer limit to FTCA claims as well (Bennett v. United States) — a separate consideration from, and not a substitute for, your 2-year FTCA administrative filing deadline.
• MICRA Noneconomic Damage Cap: Under Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.2 (as amended by AB 35 in 2022), California caps noneconomic damages — compensation for pain and suffering — in medical malpractice cases. For 2026, the cap is $470,000 for injury claims and $650,000 for wrongful death claims (up from $430,000 and $600,000 in 2025, reflecting the statute's scheduled annual increases). This cap applies to noneconomic damages in FTCA claims arising in California, making it directly relevant to what you can recover for a Sacramento VA Medical Center injury.
• Pure Comparative Fault: California follows a pure comparative negligence rule (Li v. Yellow Cab Co., 13 Cal.3d 804 (1975)) — even if you bore some responsibility for a delay in seeking care, you can still recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault, no matter how high that percentage is.

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 the Sacramento VA Medical Center in Mather, California, you need to understand your rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This federal law allows veterans and their families to seek compensation when harmed by negligent medical care at VA facilities.

Time is critical in these cases. You must file your FTCA claim within two years of when you knew or should have known about the injury and its cause. The process begins with filing Standard Form 95 with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Once submitted, the VA has six months to investigate and respond to your claim. Only after this administrative process can you file a federal lawsuit if needed.

For cases involving the Mather VA Medical Center, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be invaluable. These specialized lawyer-physicians understand both the complex medical issues and the unique legal requirements of VA malpractice claims. They can accurately evaluate your medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and effectively communicate with medical experts who may need to testify in your case.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be entitled to recover various damages. These can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and compensation for pain and suffering. For veterans' families, claims may also include loss of consortium and, in tragic cases, wrongful death damages. Unlike your economic damages (medical bills, lost income), your noneconomic damages — compensation for pain and suffering — are subject to California's MICRA cap under Cal. Civ. Code § 3333.2, discussed above, which applies to FTCA claims arising at California facilities.

If you believe you've experienced medical negligence at the Sacramento VA Medical Center, don't wait to seek legal guidance. Many attorney-physicians offer free, confidential case evaluations to review your situation and explain your options. During this consultation, they can assess whether you have a viable claim and help you understand the FTCA process. Remember, these cases are complex and time-sensitive, so it's crucial to speak with an experienced VA medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and ensure compliance with all FTCA requirements.

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 →