Slip-and-fall injuries happen every day — but when they happen on federal property, your case is very different. You’re not suing a private business or local government; you’re taking on the United States Government under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).

At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), our attorneys have handled countless FTCA slip-and-fall claims at federal courthouses, airports, post offices, and VA hospitals. We understand how the government defends these cases — and how to overcome those defenses to maximize your settlement or judgment.

This guide is designed to be the most comprehensive resource on the internet for people injured by unsafe conditions on federal property.

What Is a Federal Slip-and-Fall Claim?

Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), you can hold the United States accountable for injuries caused by negligence of federal employees or unsafe conditions on federal property.

That means if you slipped on a wet floor at a VA hospital, tripped over uneven tiles in a federal courthouse, or fell at a TSA checkpoint, you may have a valid claim — but only if the government’s negligence caused it.

Unlike state or private premises liability cases, FTCA claims are governed entirely by federal law and strict administrative procedures.

You’re suing the United States of America, not the individual facility or employee.

Common Places Where Federal Slip-and-Falls Occur

We frequently see injuries happen at:

  • VA Hospitals and Clinics – Wet floors in hallways, spills in cafeterias, or unmarked maintenance hazards.

  • Federal Courthouses and Office Buildings – Uneven steps, loose carpeting, poorly lit corridors, or broken elevators.

  • Airports and TSA Security Areas – Negligent mopping, cluttered security lines, or misplaced screening equipment.

  • Post Offices – Slippery entryways, defective loading docks, or icy parking lots.

  • Federal Prisons or Detention Centers – Unsafe showers or poorly maintained walkways.

🧠 Example: A veteran slips on freshly mopped tile near the VA radiology department — no “wet floor” sign in sight. The fall causes a fractured hip and months of rehab. That’s not bad luck — that’s federal negligence.

What You Must Prove

To win an FTCA slip-and-fall case, you must prove:

  1. Duty: The government owed you a duty to maintain safe premises.

  2. Breach: The government (through its employees) failed to meet that duty.

  3. Causation: That failure directly caused your injury.

  4. Damages: You suffered physical, financial, or emotional harm.

You’ll also need to show that the hazard was foreseeable — that the government either knew or should have known about it and failed to fix or warn about it in time.

Example: If a puddle existed for an hour in a courthouse hallway with no warning sign, the agency should have discovered and cleaned it. That’s negligence. But if someone spilled coffee seconds before your fall, it may be harder to prove the agency had time to respond.

Step-by-Step: How to File an FTCA Slip-and-Fall Claim

Step 1: Gather Evidence Immediately

Document the scene and your injuries. Collect:

  • Photos or video of the hazard

  • Witness names and contact information

  • Incident reports (ask security or facility staff)

  • Medical records and bills

  • Any communication with the agency or staff involved

💡 Pro Tip: Always request a copy of the incident report. Many agencies quietly file them internally — but you’re entitled to it under FOIA (Freedom of Information Act).

Step 2: File Your Administrative Claim (SF-95)

Before you can sue, you must file an administrative claim using Standard Form 95 (SF-95) with the federal agency responsible for the facility:

  • VA Hospital → Department of Veterans Affairs

  • Federal Courthouse → U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)

  • TSA or Airport → Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

  • Post Office → U.S. Postal Service

Your claim must include:

  • A clear description of what happened

  • The date, time, and location

  • Evidence of negligence

  • A specific “sum certain” — the total dollar amount you’re claiming

You have 2 years from the date of the injury to file the claim. The agency then has 6 months to respond.

👉 Visit our Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the SF-95 for detailed instructions.

Step 3: Wait for the Agency’s Response

The agency may:

  1. Offer a settlement,

  2. Deny your claim, or

  3. Fail to respond (which counts as a denial after 6 months).

Once denied, you can file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. There are no jury trials — only a judge decides the case.

Step 4: Build a Strong Case

Slip-and-fall FTCA cases are won or lost on the evidence. NSLF attorneys build airtight cases by:

  • Conducting independent investigations of the property and maintenance logs

  • Filing FOIA requests for cleaning records, staffing schedules, and prior complaints

  • Retaining safety engineers and building maintenance experts

  • Gathering medical evidence from independent doctors

  • Calculating your full economic and non-economic damages

⚔️ Our goal: To prove the hazard existed long enough that the government should have acted — and that their failure caused your injury.

How the Government Defends Slip-and-Fall Cases

The government will fight these cases hard, often arguing:

  • The hazard was “open and obvious”

  • You were partially at fault for not paying attention

  • Staff had no notice of the hazard

  • The area was maintained “within reason”

  • You exaggerated your injuries

We counter these arguments by using evidence of:

  • Maintenance failures or repeated complaints

  • Lack of inspection procedures

  • Security footage showing staff walking by hazards

  • Similar incidents that prove a pattern of negligence

Learn more about these tactics and our counter-strategies in Common FTCA Defenses and How to Overcome Them.

What Damages Can You Recover?

Successful FTCA slip-and-fall claims can include:

  • Medical bills and rehabilitation costs

  • Future medical care (surgery, therapy, mobility aids)

  • Lost income and reduced earning capacity

  • Pain, suffering, and emotional distress

  • Loss of quality of life

  • Property damage (if personal items were broken)

💰 Average Range: Federal slip-and-fall cases often settle between $75,000 and $400,000, depending on injury severity and negligence proof. Permanent disability or surgeries can increase that significantly.

For more examples, see our FTCA Settlement Range Guide for typical outcomes.

Common Slip-and-Fall Scenarios by Facility Type

1. VA Hospitals and Clinics

  • Wet floors in restrooms or corridors

  • Poor lighting in parking lots

  • Wheelchair ramps without traction strips

  • Spills or cleaning residue left unattended

2. Federal Courthouses

  • Slippery marble floors or loose tiles

  • Rainwater tracked into entryways

  • Uneven stairs or broken escalators

  • Inadequate lighting in corridors

3. Airports and TSA Checkpoints

  • Spilled liquids or cleaning overspray

  • Dislodged floor mats in screening lines

  • Unsecured cords or conveyor belts

  • Inadequate warning signage

Each environment has its own policies and maintenance procedures — and our attorneys know how to get them through FOIA and discovery.

How NSLF Maximizes FTCA Slip-and-Fall Cases

Our team has spent years inside federal agencies — now we use that knowledge to beat them.

Here’s how we ensure maximum recovery:

  1. Insider Knowledge: We understand how VA, TSA, and GSA attorneys evaluate risk and settlements.

  2. Strategic Evidence Development: We secure surveillance footage, inspection logs, and staff statements before they disappear.

  3. Medical Documentation: We partner with treating and expert physicians to quantify your pain and recovery timeline.

  4. Economic Experts: We calculate total financial loss — not just medical bills, but missed promotions, retirement impact, and future care costs.

  5. Aggressive Litigation: If the government lowballs, we file suit and fight in federal court.

Every claim we take on is treated like a mission — planned, executed, and fought to win.

🪖 At NSLF, we don’t aim for quick checks — we aim for full accountability and maximum results.

Why Choose National Security Law Firm

  • ⭐ 4.9-star Google reviews (read them here)

  • 🪖 Former federal and military attorneys with inside experience

  • ⚖️ Nationwide representation from Washington, D.C. — the hub of federal litigation

  • 💸 Transparent pricing and legal financing through Affirm

  • 💬 Free, no-pressure consultations

  • 💥 A relentless focus on maximizing every settlement or judgment

National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you were injured at a federal courthouse, airport, or VA facility, don’t wait. FTCA claims have strict filing deadlines and evidence disappears quickly.

📞 Call 202-600-4996 or book your free consultation online.
We’ll review your case for free, gather the facts, and start building your claim immediately.

Learn More About FTCA Claims

For additional resources and guides, visit our FTCA Resource Center, where you’ll find:

  • Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the SF-95

  • What Evidence Matters Most in FTCA Claims

  • 10 Proven Strategies to Maximize Your FTCA Settlement or Judgment

  • How the Government Defends FTCA Claims (and How to Counter It)

Whether your fall occurred at a VA hospital, federal courthouse, or TSA checkpoint, our Resource Center will walk you through every step to ensure your rights are protected.

National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.