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When you’ve been injured by government negligence, a Washington, DC Federal Tort Claims Act lawyer can help protect your rights and secure compensation. Government agencies and employees must be held accountable when their actions cause harm, especially in DC where residents work and live alongside federal workers daily. The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) provides a legal pathway to seek justice when government negligence impacts your life.
You deserve compensation when government negligence disrupts your life or causes injury. Whether you’re dealing with a federal agency, government employee, or government contractor, the experienced FTCA attorneys at Regan Zambri Long understand how to navigate these complex claims. Don’t wait to get the help you need – contact our Washington, DC office today for a free consultation about your Federal Tort Claims Act case.
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In many federal tort cases, the injured victim cannot navigate the strict process to hold the government responsible. A federal tort claims act lawyer will shoulder the burden and ensure that you receive fair and full compensation for all your losses.
When you hire an FTCA attorney at Regan Zambri Long, we will investigate your case, file your initial complaint with the appropriate office or agency, and ensure your claim is valued correctly.
Your claim will hinge on negligence–the legal doctrine that says you were owed a duty of care, the liable party breached the duty, and you were injured in the resulting accident. In a federal claim, you must also prove that the negligence occurred while the liable party performed their job.
A federal tort claim can quickly become complicated because of the strict rules regarding suing the United States government. Many different parties may be involved. Submission paperwork must be handed in correctly and on time, and there are limitations to what the average citizen can sue the United States government for.
The Regan Zambri Long Federal Tort Claim Act lawyers can help you navigate the claims process. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your legal options.
In theory it is clear when you need a personal injury lawyer versus a federal tort claims attorney. In practice, however, it may be more complicated.
For example, if a postal worker sideswiped your car while making deliveries, you would have a claim against the U.S. Postal Service for monetary damages for your injuries and personal property. However, if the postal worker were off-duty driving their car when the sideswipe occurred, you would have a personal injury claim, not an FTCA case.
To make a claim against the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the worker must be on the clock and performing duties related to their government job.
However, it is not always clear when an employee is operating in an official capacity. Perhaps they use a personal vehicle to drive to a work meeting or attend a work-related lunch.
If you are unsure whether your claim falls under personal injury or a federal tort, don’t worry. Schedule a free consultation with Regan Zambri Long and let our experienced attorneys provide you with legal guidance on recovering the compensation you deserve.
The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) was enacted in 1946 and allows private citizens to sue and recover monetary damages for negligent acts committed by a government agency or a federal employee acting on behalf of the United States government.
For example, imagine reporting a loose handrail to Post Office management multiple times over several months. When the handrail later breaks while you’re using it, causing you to fall and suffer serious injuries, the Post Office’s negligence in failing to address a known safety hazard would likely qualify for an FTCA claim.
Unfortunately, these accidents are too common at federal facilities throughout the DC area, such as VA hospitals, government buildings, embassies, military bases, and federal housing complexes where maintenance requests are routinely ignored.
Other examples of an FTCA claim include medical malpractice at VA hospitals or injuries caused by federal employees driving government vehicles.
The FTCA allows victims to hold the government accountable for the negligence of its employees. Unfortunately, the government is just as likely to fight against an injury claim as an insurance company. You need an experienced federal tort claim attorney to ensure the government takes responsibility for its employees. Regan Zambri Long will investigate your case and make sure you recover the compensation you are owed. Call us today to get started.
The process of filing a federal tort claim is lengthy. In a regular personal injury lawsuit, you file a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company. A DC personal injury attorney will negotiate a settlement with the liable party or take the case to court.
In an FTCA claim, you must show that you were injured due to the negligence of a federal agency or by a government employee acting negligently in the scope of their official duties. When federal employees are involved, there are additional steps you have to take:
Since the federal government comprises many organizations, you must file an administrative claim with the specific branch that caused your injury. For example, if you sustained an injury at a VA hospital, you would file your claim with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The easiest way to file this claim is by using Standard Form 95 (SF95). Other agencies you may file a claim against include:
In the administrative claim, you must provide documentation establishing your case’s facts so the federal agency can investigate. You must also ask for the amount of money you want to recover. Once you submit the SF95, you cannot adjust your request amount or file a second claim. Your Regan Zambri Long tort claim lawyer will walk you through the SF95 form and request the maximum amount of compensation. It can be difficult to know exactly how much your claim is worth. Call us today for help calculating your case’s full and fair value.
Once you file your SF95, the agency you are making your claim against has six months to reply. There are two possible outcomes:
Your FTCA attorneys will help you determine if the response received is appropriate. If you’ve received a response from the liable agency, contact Regan Zambri Long so we can help you determine your next steps.
You have six months from the day you receive the agency’s response to file a lawsuit against them. If the agency denies your claim or is not offering enough money, do not delay filing your lawsuit. If a deadline is missed, your suit could be dismissed as untimely. Regan Zambri Long’s tort claims lawyers will prepare a thorough lawsuit and file it within the required timeline.
Keeping track of FTCA timelines is difficult when recovering from physical injuries. Regan Zambri Long can help. No matter where you are in your claim process, schedule a free evaluation with our tort claims attorneys to discuss the best way forward.
Any individual who was injured because of a wrongful or negligent act caused by a federal employee while they were performing their official duties can file a claim with the government.
The injured party will need to show the following:
A claim against the U.S. government is intimidating, but the Washington, DC, federal tort claims litigation lawyers at Regan Zambri Long PLLC will stand up for your rights against the federal government. Having legal counsel on your side allows you to concentrate on your health with the confidence that your personal injury lawyer is protecting your best interests. Call for a free consultation with an expert attorney who will work diligently to secure the compensation the government owes you.
Choosing legal representation takes consideration, especially when dealing with complicated FTCA claims. The first place to start is by asking trusted friends and family for a recommendation. From there, evaluate all prospective attorneys based on:
Regan Zambri Long has the expertise and track record you need to hold the federal government accountable for its negligence. We keep you in the loop every step of the way. Our clients praise our dedication and excellence. Our attorneys are consistently recognized as some of DC’s best.
Schedule your free consultation today to see how we can put our experience to work for you.
The Federal Tort Claims Act allows victims two years from the date of the incident to file a claim. You should consult with an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. Your lawyer must investigate your case, prove negligence, and work with experts to determine a fair value for your claim. Take the first step and schedule your case evaluation with Regan Zambri Long today.
The Federal Tort Claims Act only allows you to sue the federal government. However, several states use the FTCA as a model, and private citizens can sue their state governments. In Washington, DC, you have six months to file a claim from the incident date.
It is impossible to say how long a federal tort claims case will take to settle. You have two years to work with a lawyer to investigate, prove, and value your claim. The liable agency has six months to respond to your claim. You then have six months to accept their offer or pursue further legal action. Thus, the length of your claim can hinge on how easy your case is to prove, how willing the agency is to accept responsibility, and the agency’s willingness to offer fair compensation. Your first step is to call the FTCA attorneys at Regan Zambri Long for a free case evaluation.
Yes, the FTCA covers medical malpractice when you are treated at a federally funded hospital or clinic. Many federally funded health clinics are covered by FTCA Malpractice Coverage, which is an insurance policy for government health care workers and offices. If you were treated at a federally funded VA hospital and suffered an injury from a medical error, you have the right to file a claim against the medical personnel. The Federal Tort Claims Act gives you the right to do so. Your Regan Zambri Long tort claim attorney will help you navigate the claims process, making sure a thorough investigation is done and you receive proper compensation for your injuries.
The Federal Tort Claims Act still provides limited immunity to the government. Some FTCA exceptions include:
A Regan Zambri Long tort claim attorney is your best hope for justice and compensation. If unsure whether your claim falls under an exception, meet with our lawyers for a free case evaluation today.
The damages you can recover in a federal tort claim reflect the damages allowed for personal injuries in your District or State. In Washington DC, the damages recoverable from a personal injury lawsuit are:
Washington, DC also allows claimants to collect punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded to claimants, not to compensate them, but to punish the defendant whose actions are considered grossly negligent or intentional. However, in federal tort claims, the United States government is protected from being sued for punitive damages. Once you submit a claim asking for a certain amount of damages, you cannot increase that amount at any point during the process. The Regan Zambri Long federal tort claim lawyers will make sure you ask for ample compensation so all current and future bills associated with your injury will be fully covered.
The FTCA lawyers at Regan Zambri Long have a deep knowledge of federal and local laws in Washington DC. For anyone without a law degree, a personal injury claim can seem daunting, but we guarantee you are in the best hands at Regan Zambri Long. The first thing that will happen is a free consultation. Our lawyers will discuss your situation and give you their expert legal advice on whether you have a winning claim or not. If you choose to file a claim past that conversation, they will be with you every step of the way. The paperwork, correspondence, investigations, and building a winning case that will secure you the maximum amount of compensation will all be taken care of by your attorney.
Sustaining an injury from government negligence is incredibly stressful for individuals and their families. Medical bills pile up quickly, and lost wages can cause overwhelming financial distress. You do not need to face the situation alone.
Regan Zambri Long’s DC federal tort claims act lawyers can bear the burden of the claims process so you and your family can focus on a full recovery and getting back to normal as soon as possible.
Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only receive a fee if a settlement or verdict is reached in your favor. Call today for a free consultation so we can secure the compensation you are owed.
