Medical Malpractice at
St. Albans VA Medical Center

St. Albans VA Medical Center, located in Queens, New York, serves as a critical healthcare facility for veterans throughout the New York metropolitan area. As a 1b-High Complexity facility within the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, it provides a wide range of medical services including cancer care, orthopedics, mental health treatment, and extended care services to our nation's veterans.

Medical errors and negligence can occur at St. Albans VA Medical Center, despite its generally good quality of care. When veterans suffer harm due to medical malpractice at St. Albans VA Medical Center, they must pursue claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) - a specific legal process for suing federal institutions.

At Archuleta Law Firm, our unique combination of medical and legal expertise sets us apart in handling VA medical malpractice cases. Our founder is both a licensed physician and attorney, allowing us to thoroughly evaluate the medical aspects of your case while navigating the complex FTCA claims process. With over 25 years of experience and more than $145 million recovered for clients, we understand what it takes to hold VA facilities accountable.

St. Albans VA Medical Center operates as a specialized medical center providing both outpatient and extended care services to veterans. Located at 179-00 Linden Boulevard in Queens, the facility is an integral part of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, offering comprehensive medical care to veterans throughout the region.

St. Albans Medical Center offers specialty services like cancer treatment, orthopedic care, mental health services, and rehabilitation programs. Key departments include audiology, dermatology, dental/oral surgery, gynecology, and homeless veteran services. The facility also offers innovative whole health programs incorporating alternative therapies like acupuncture and tai chi.

St. Albans provides crucial extended care and nursing services 24/7, though it isn't a full-service emergency hospital. The facility participates in VA training programs, including nurse residency opportunities, demonstrating its commitment to advancing veteran healthcare through education and professional development.

• Surgical Errors: Given St. Albans' focus on orthopedic procedures and cancer surgeries, surgical mistakes can occur during joint replacements, tumor removals, or other procedures. Common errors include wrong-site surgery, post-operative complications, and anesthesia errors. Learn more about surgical malpractice claims →

• Diagnostic Failures: Delayed or missed diagnoses, particularly in cancer cases, can have devastating consequences. Veterans may experience worsened conditions due to failure to order appropriate tests or properly interpret results. Learn more about misdiagnosis claims →

• Extended Care Negligence: Because the facility provides extensive nursing and extended care, issues like bedsores, falls, medication errors, and inadequate monitoring may occur. birth injury claims → These problems often stem from understaffing or insufficient training.

• Cancer Treatment Errors: With comprehensive cancer care services, errors in chemotherapy dosing, radiation treatment, or cancer diagnosis can occur. These mistakes may result from communication breakdowns or protocol violations.

• Medication Errors: Veterans receiving care at St. Albans may experience medication mistakes including incorrect dosing, drug interactions, or administration errors. These often result from documentation problems or staff communication issues.

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 U.S.C. § 2675), veterans must first file an administrative claim before pursuing a lawsuit for medical malpractice at St. Albans VA Medical Center. This initial claim must be filed using Standard Form 95 (SF-95) and include detailed information about the negligent care and resulting damages.

The administrative claim should be filed with the VA Regional Counsel office serving New York. While specific filing procedures may vary, claims typically must include relevant medical records, expert opinions, and documentation of damages. The VA has six months to review and respond to the administrative claim.

Critical deadlines apply to FTCA claims against St. Albans VA Medical Center. Veterans must file their administrative claim within two years of discovering their injury. If the VA denies the claim or fails to respond within six months, veterans have an additional 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 →

New York state law influences certain aspects of FTCA claims against St. Albans VA Medical Center. While New York's statute of limitations for medical malpractice (CPLR § 214-a) is 2.5 years, FTCA claims must follow the federal two-year deadline. Unlike some states, New York does not impose caps on medical malpractice damages, which can affect the compensation available in FTCA claims.

For detailed information about how New York law affects VA medical malpractice claims, visit our main page: Military & VA Medical Malpractice in New York →

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 negligence at the St. Albans VA Medical Center in Queens, you should know that the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) provides a way to seek compensation, but the process requires careful attention to strict deadlines and procedures. You must file your claim within two years of when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury. Once you submit your administrative claim using Standard Form 95, the VA has six months to respond before you can file a lawsuit in federal court.

For veterans and military families dealing with St. Albans VA Medical Center specifically, having an attorney who is also a medical doctor can be crucial to your case's success. These specialized professionals understand both the complex medical issues common at VA facilities and the unique legal requirements of FTCA claims. They can accurately evaluate whether the care you received fell below accepted medical standards and effectively communicate these findings to the court.

Through an FTCA claim, you may be eligible to recover various damages related to medical malpractice at St. Albans. These can include compensation for additional medical expenses, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering. If you've had to seek corrective treatment at private facilities, these expenses can also be included in your claim. For family members who have lost a loved one due to VA medical negligence, wrongful death damages may be available.

Given the complexity of these cases and the stringent requirements for FTCA claims against the St. Albans VA Medical Center, you should consider having your case evaluated by an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Many law firms specializing in VA medical malpractice offer free initial consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don't pay unless they win your case. During this evaluation, they can assess the strength of your claim, explain your legal options, and help ensure all required documentation is properly prepared within the mandatory timeframes.

Don't wait to seek legal guidance if you believe you've been harmed by medical care at St. Albans VA Medical Center. Contact a qualified attorney-physician for a free, confidential case evaluation to protect your rights and explore your options for compensation.

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 →