Medical Malpractice at
Northport VA Medical Center

The Northport VA Medical Center stands as one of the largest veterans' healthcare facilities in the Long Island region, serving over 35,000 patients annually through its comprehensive medical services. As a major teaching hospital affiliated with SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine, this 293-bed facility provides essential primary care, specialty services, and surgical procedures to our nation's veterans.

Medical errors and negligence can occur at Northport VA Medical Center despite the healthcare professionals' dedication to quality care. When veterans suffer harm due to substandard care, they have legal rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to seek compensation. However, these cases require specialized knowledge of both medicine and federal law.

At 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. With over 25 years of experience and more than $145 million recovered for clients, we understand the complexities of pursuing FTCA claims against VA facilities like Northport.

The Northport VA Medical Center is a comprehensive healthcare facility within the VA New York/New Jersey Healthcare Network (VISN 2). With 121 hospital beds, 38 domiciliary beds, and 134 nursing care beds, this teaching hospital provides both primary and specialized care services to veterans across Long Island and surrounding areas.

The facility offers an extensive range of medical services, including cardiology, oncology, neurology, orthopedics, and mental health care. Its surgical departments perform various procedures from joint replacements to ophthalmologic surgeries. The center also maintains specialized programs in movement disorders, nephrology, and women's health services.

Northport VA Medical Center serves the largest regional veteran population in the United States and provides medical education as SUNY Stony Brook's primary clinical affiliate. The facility operates multiple community-based outpatient clinics throughout Long Island, ensuring accessible care for veterans across the region.

• Surgical Errors: Given the facility's active surgical departments performing orthopedic, ophthalmologic, and other procedures, surgical mistakes can occur. Common errors include wrong-site surgery, post-operative complications, and anesthesia errors. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Emergency Care Mistakes: The emergency department handles urgent veteran care needs, where rushed decisions and understaffing can lead to critical errors in diagnosis or treatment. Delayed treatment and inadequate monitoring are particular concerns. Learn more about emergency room errors →

• Diagnostic Failures: Because it has multiple specialty departments, missed or delayed diagnoses can occur, particularly in cardiology, oncology, and neurology. These errors often result from communication breakdowns or inadequate testing. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Medication Errors: Veterans' complex medication needs, often involving multiple prescriptions, create risks for medication errors. These can include incorrect dosing, harmful drug interactions, or administration mistakes. birth injury claims →

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 Northport VA Medical Center. This process begins with submitting Standard Form 95 (SF-95) to the appropriate VA Regional Counsel office.

For Northport VA Medical Center claims, the SF-95 should be filed with the VA Regional Counsel serving New York. Your claim must include detailed information about the incident, injuries sustained, and the exact amount of damages sought. Your claim must include strong medical documentation and expert opinions to succeed.

Critical deadlines apply to these claims. You must file your administrative claim within two years of discovering the malpractice. Once filed, the VA has six months to review and respond to your claim. If your claim is denied or the review period expires without a decision, you 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 New York →

While New York law generally allows 2.5 years to file medical malpractice claims under NY CPLR § 214-a, FTCA claims against Northport VA Medical Center have a stricter two-year statute of limitations. Unlike some states, New York does not impose damage caps on medical malpractice awards, which can affect the compensation available in FTCA claims.

For detailed information about state-specific legal requirements and how they interact with federal law, visit our New York VA medical malpractice guide: Medical Malpractice Claims in New York →

You must first file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 with the VA Regional Counsel. This form must include detailed information about your injury and the specific amount of damages sought. Our physician-attorney team can help prepare this crucial documentation.

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

You have two years from the date you discovered (or should have discovered) the malpractice to file your administrative claim. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your right to compensation.

Can I sue Northport VA Medical Center directly?

No, you cannot sue the facility directly. Under the FTCA, your claim must be filed against the United States government, not the individual facility or healthcare providers.

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

You may be eligible to recover economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering). Unlike some states, New York does not cap damage awards in medical malpractice cases.

Do I need a New York attorney for my Northport VA Medical Center claim?

While not legally required, working with an attorney experienced in both federal law and medical malpractice is highly recommended. FTCA claims involve complex procedural requirements and medical evidence that differ from standard malpractice cases.

What types of medical errors are most common at Northport VA Medical Center?

Based on the facility's services, common errors include surgical complications, medication mistakes, diagnostic delays, and treatment errors in specialty areas like cardiology, orthopedics, and oncology.

We also handle medical malpractice cases at these New York facilities:

• Batavia VA Medical Center (Batavia) →
• Bath VA Medical Center (Bath) →
• Brooklyn VA Medical Center (Brooklyn) →
• Buffalo VA Medical Center (Buffalo) →
• Canandaigua VA Medical Center (Canandaigua) →

If you've experienced medical malpractice or negligent care at the Northport VA Medical Center on Long Island, you may have rights under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This law allows veterans and their families to seek compensation when harmed by negligent VA medical care, but the process involves strict deadlines and specific procedures you must follow.

You have two years from the date of injury or when you reasonably should have discovered the injury to file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95. This form must detail the exact nature of your injuries and include a specific dollar amount for damages. The VA then 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 the Northport VA Medical Center, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your success. These specialized lawyer-physicians understand both the complex medical issues involved and the unique aspects of VA medical malpractice cases. They can effectively review your medical records, identify deviations from the standard of care, and articulate how the VA's negligence caused your injuries in terms that both administrative officials and federal judges will understand.

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' families pursuing wrongful death claims, additional damages may include funeral expenses and loss of companionship. Unlike private medical malpractice cases, FTCA claims have no caps on damages, though punitive damages are not allowed.

If you or a family member received substandard care at the Northport VA Medical Center, you can request a free case evaluation to understand your legal options. An experienced doctor-attorney can review your medical records and circumstances at no cost to determine if you have a viable FTCA claim. Don't wait to seek help, as missing the strict FTCA deadlines could permanently bar your right to compensation. Contact a qualified attorney today to protect your rights and begin the process of holding the VA accountable for any negligent care you received.

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

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