Medical Malpractice at
Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center

The Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach, California serves as a crucial healthcare facility for thousands of veterans across Southern California. This major VA medical center provides comprehensive healthcare to our nation's veterans through its 237 beds and wide range of medical services, from emergency care to specialized surgery.

While most veterans receive appropriate care at this facility, medical errors and negligence can occur even at established institutions. We are attorneys and medical professionals who understand the complexities of healthcare at VA facilities like Tibor Rubin. Our combined legal and medical expertise allows us to evaluate potential medical malpractice cases at this facility thoroughly.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), veterans harmed by negligent care at Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center can seek compensation. However, these claims require specialized knowledge of both federal law and medicine - precisely why our doctor-attorney team is uniquely qualified to handle such cases.

Established in 1967 and renamed in 2016 to honor Medal of Honor recipient Tibor Rubin, this VA Medical Center serves as one of California's major veteran healthcare facilities. The medical center operates under the leadership of Director Walt C. Dannenberg and Chief of Staff Dr. Scot Dowd, providing comprehensive healthcare services to veterans throughout the region.

Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, a major teaching facility affiliated with UC Irvine's School of Medicine, offers advanced medical care in many specialties. Key services include general surgery, orthopedic surgery, cardiac care, neurosurgery, and specialized rehabilitation programs. The facility also maintains a 24/7 emergency department and comprehensive mental health services.

Through its 237 beds, the medical center supports inpatient and outpatient care, including specialized units for spinal cord injuries and blind rehabilitation. This facility plays a crucial role in California's VA healthcare network, providing veterans with access to both primary care and advanced specialty services.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's extensive surgical services, errors during general, orthopedic, or cardiac procedures can occur. These may result from inadequate pre-operative planning, surgical technique mistakes, or post-operative care failures. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Department Mistakes: The 24/7 emergency department handles critical cases where delayed treatment or misdiagnosis can have severe consequences. Common issues include failure to recognize stroke symptoms or heart attacks in veterans seeking emergency care. Learn more about ER malpractice →

• Diagnostic Errors: With average wait times of 52 days for specialty care, delayed diagnoses are a significant concern. These delays can lead to worse outcomes, particularly in time-sensitive conditions like cancer or cardiovascular disease. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: Veterans often manage multiple prescriptions, increasing the risk of medication errors. birth injury claims → These can include incorrect dosing, dangerous 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. This process begins by submitting Standard Form 95 (SF-95) to the appropriate VA Regional Counsel office.

For Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center claims, veterans must file their administrative claim with:

Office of Regional Counsel (Region 23) U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 11000 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90024

Strict deadlines apply to these claims. Veterans must file their administrative claim within two years of discovering the malpractice. Once filed, the VA has six months to review the claim. If the claim is denied or the review period expires, 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 California →

While California's medical malpractice laws include damage caps under MICRA (Cal. Civil Code § 3333.2), FTCA claims follow federal law regarding damages. However, the state's standards of medical care still influence how courts evaluate whether malpractice occurred at federal facilities like Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center.

For detailed information about California's legal requirements and how they interact with federal law in VA medical malpractice cases, visit our California VA Medical Malpractice Guide →

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 or negligent care at the Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach, you may have rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). As a veteran or military family member, understanding the FTCA process is crucial for protecting your legal rights and obtaining compensation for injuries caused by VA medical negligence.

The FTCA has strict deadlines you must follow. You have two years from the date you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) your injury to file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95. Once you submit this claim to the VA, the agency has six months to investigate and respond. If the VA denies your claim or fails to respond within six months, you then have six months to file a federal lawsuit.

Having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be invaluable for VA medical malpractice cases. These specialized lawyer-physicians understand both the legal complexities of the FTCA and the medical standards of care that should have been provided at facilities like Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center. They can quickly identify deviations from accepted medical practices and effectively communicate how these failures caused your injuries.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be able to recover various types of damages. These can include past and future medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and compensation for physical pain and emotional suffering. For veterans with service-connected disabilities who received negligent care, the compensation can be particularly significant given the long-term impact on their quality of life and ability to work.

If you believe you've experienced medical negligence at Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center, it's important to have your case evaluated as soon as possible. Many law firms that specialize in VA medical malpractice offer free initial consultations to review your medical records and determine if you have a viable FTCA claim. During this evaluation, they can explain your rights, assess potential damages, and help you understand the next steps in pursuing your claim. Don't let concerns about legal fees prevent you from seeking justice – most firms handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless they recover compensation for you.

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 →