Claims Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (2024)

Claims Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (1)

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The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346, 2671-2680, provides for monetary damages on account of damage to or loss of property, or personal injury or death, allegedly caused by the negligent or wrongful act of a federal government employee acting within the scope of his or her employment. Claims made to an agency under the FTCA are referred to as “administrative claims,” and must be received within two years of the date the claim accrued. Within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Office of the Principal Legal Advisor is responsible for processing administrative claims made against the agency.

Filing a Claim

If you believe you have suffered personal injury or property damage due to an alleged act or omission by an ICE employee, you may complete and sign a Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury or Death. Alternatively, you may provide written notification (such as a letter) detailing: 1) the allegation(s), 2) sum certain (total dollar amount claimed in damages), and 3) an original signature of the claimant(s). You should also include all documentation supporting your claim.

Completed and signed forms or other written notification, along with the documentation supporting your claim, should be submitted to:

Office of the Principal Legal Advisor
District Court Litigation Division
500 12th Street, SW, Mailstop 5900
Washington, DC 20536

OR

OPLA-DCLD-TortClaims@ice.dhs.gov

To Ensure Prompt and Proper Processing

  • The regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice, found at 28 C.F.R. Part 14, apply to the handling of administrative tort claims and provide detailed information relating to the presentation of claims and the evidence and information that must be submitted to substantiate claims.
  • Fill out the claim form completely.
  • Provide as much detail as possible.
  • Provide all related supportive documentation: Include all receipts, two appraisals or repair estimates, proof of ownership (if property damage is claimed), photographs, and medical documents or records, as well as police, incident or witness reports (if applicable).
  • Provide the name of the ICE employee(s) involved, if known.
  • Delay in filing a claim or providing incomplete information can make gathering information difficult and lengthen the review process.

Processing a Claim

ICE takes the responsibility to fairly adjudicate claims seriously, and all claims are thoroughly reviewed. Please allow up to six months for ICE to fully adjudicate your claim.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact OPLA-DCLD-TortClaims@ice.dhs.gov.

Please note that ICE personnel handling tort claims work for the Federal Government and cannot provide legal advice with respect to the filing and/or adjudication of tort claims against ICE or the United States.

Updated:

Claims Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (2024)

FAQs

Claims Under the Federal Tort Claims Act? ›

Making a Claim Under the FTCA. Individuals who are injured or whose property is damaged by the wrongful or negligent act of a federal employee acting in the scope of his or her official duties may file a claim with the government for reimbursem*nt for that injury or damage.

What does the Federal Tort Claims Act claim? ›

The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) is federal legislation enacted in 1946 that provides a legal means for compensating individuals who have suffered personal injury, death, or property loss or damage caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of an employee of the federal government.

What is the Federal Tort Act claim coverage? ›

The FTCA provides a limited waiver of the United States' immunity from suit, allowing claims “for damages for injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his office or employment, under ...

What are the list of tort claims? ›

There are numerous specific torts including trespass, assault, battery, negligence, products liability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. There are also separate areas of tort law including nuisance, defamation, invasion of privacy, and a category of economic torts.

What are the four elements of a tort claim? ›

The Four Elements of a Tort
  • The accused had a duty, in most personal injury cases, to act in a way that did not cause you to become injured.
  • The accused committed a breach of that duty.
  • An injury occurred to you.
  • The breach of duty was the proximate cause of your injury.

What are the exceptions to the Federal Tort Claims Act? ›

§ 2680 . These exceptions stipulate that the federal government will not be held liable for the claims against its employees arising out of assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, libel, slander, misrepresentation, deceit, or interference with contract rights.

What is the maximum damages allowed in the Federal Tort Claims Act? ›

Federal Tort Claim Act Cap on Damages

Although the FTCA contains limitations on the types of damages that can be recovered, the law does not include a cap on how much can be awarded. That being said, many states do cap certain types of damages. Any relevant state cap on damages will also apply to an FTCA claim.

What is the Federal Tort Claims Act for dummies? ›

Under the FTCA, the federal government acts as a self-insurer, and recognizes liability for the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of its employees acting within the scope of their official duties. The United States is liable to the same extent an individual would be in like circ*mstances.

What is the jurisdiction of the Federal Tort Claims Act? ›

The FTCA provides that courts may only exercise jurisdiction over: claims against the United States, for money damages . . . for injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death caused by their negligent or wrongful act or omission . . .

What is the purpose of a tort claim? ›

A tort claim is a lawsuit filed to claim compensation for the injuries a victim has suffered in an accident.

What is the #1 most common type of tort case? ›

Negligence is by far the most common type of tort.

Unlike intentional torts, negligence cases do not involve deliberate actions. Negligence occurs when a person fails to act carefully enough and another person gets hurt as a result. For this type of case, a person must owe a duty to another person.

What is the most common remedy for a tort claim? ›

Tort law in the United States seeks to put the plaintiff back in the position they were in before the tort occurred. There are several types of damages for litigators to consider in tort cases, but compensatory damages are the most common measure for providing relief to victims.

What is covered by tort? ›

Tort law is considered to be a form of restorative justice since it seeks to remedy losses or injury by providing monetary compensation. There are three main categories of tort law, including suits alleging negligence, intentional harm, and strict liability.

How do you prove negligence in tort? ›

Proving Negligence. Most civil lawsuits for injuries allege the wrongdoer was negligent. To win in a negligence lawsuit, the victim must establish 4 elements: (1) the wrongdoer owed a duty to the victim, (2) the wrongdoer breached the duty, (3) the breach caused the injury (4) the victim suffered damages.

What can be recovered in a tort claim? ›

Common types of damages for which an individual may receive such compensation include pain and suffering, medical expenses, impairment, as well as lost wages and earning capacity. Punitive damages may also be awarded—generally in cases of extreme recklessness, although specific grounds vary by state.

What is tort in simple words? ›

tort. noun. ˈtȯrt. : a wrongful act other than a breach of contract that injures another and for which the law imposes civil liability : a violation of a duty (as to exercise due care) imposed by law as distinguished from contract for which damages or declaratory relief (as an injunction) may be obtained.

What is a common law tort claim? ›

A tort is a civil wrong that causes a claimant to suffer loss or harm, resulting in legal liability for the person who commits the tortious act. Tort law can be contrasted with criminal law, which deals with criminal wrongs that are punishable by the state.

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