What happens if a claim is filed against a trainee validly appointed to the VA?

When a claim is filed against a trainee who is validly appointed to the Veterans Affairs (VA) system, the typical legal procedure involves the Justice Department taking steps to substitute the United States as the defendant in the case. This process is rooted in the principle of sovereign immunity, where federal employees are generally protected from personal liability for actions taken in the scope of their official duties. The substitution occurs because, in many cases, the trainee is considered to be performing tasks on behalf of the federal government. As a result, the government steps in to defend the case, which highlights the legal framework that protects trainees while they are fulfilling their roles within the VA.