Injured on Government Property? Here’s What to Do

If you’ve been injured on federal property — whether at a post office, VA hospital, national park, airport, or federal courthouse — your case isn’t like an ordinary personal injury claim.
You can’t simply file a lawsuit in state court or send a letter to an insurance company.

Instead, your claim falls under a powerful but highly technical law known as the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) — the exclusive path for holding the U.S. Government accountable when its negligence causes harm.

At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), we’ve helped thousands of clients nationwide recover compensation from the government after serious injuries on federal property. Our attorneys are former federal and military lawyers who know how agencies investigate, defend, and settle these cases — and how to beat them at their own game.

This guide is the most comprehensive resource available online for anyone injured on government property. It explains exactly what to do, step by step, and how to maximize your settlement or judgment under the FTCA.

Understanding Your Right to Sue the Federal Government

The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), enacted in 1946, allows individuals to recover compensation when they’re injured by the negligence or wrongful act of a federal employee acting within the scope of their job.

That includes injuries occurring on federal property, such as:

• Post offices

• VA hospitals or clinics

• Federal courthouses and office buildings

• Airports and TSA security checkpoints

• National parks, forests, and monuments

• Military bases or federal housing

• Federal prisons and detention centers

If you slipped on a wet floor at a federal courthouse, tripped over broken tiles at a VA hospital, or fell because a park ranger ignored a known hazard, the government can be held liable — just like a private business would be.

The key difference: under the FTCA, there are strict procedures and deadlines you must follow before filing a lawsuit.

Step 1: Get Medical Care and Document Everything

Your first priority is your health. Get immediate medical treatment — and be sure your provider documents all injuries, even seemingly minor ones.

Keep copies of:

• Emergency and follow-up medical records

• Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)

• Prescription lists and treatment plans

• All medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, and proof of missed work

These records form the backbone of your damages claim.

💡 Tip: Tell your doctor how and where you were injured. If your medical records note that the injury happened at a federal facility, it strengthens the connection between the government’s negligence and your harm.

Step 2: Report the Incident to Federal Staff

Notify the on-site manager or employee responsible for the property. For example:

• Post Office: Tell the clerk or supervisor.

• VA Hospital: Report to patient safety or administration.

• Airport/TSA: Notify a TSA supervisor.

• National Park: Inform a ranger and request an incident report.

Ask for a copy of the incident report or at least the name of the employee who took it. If possible, take photos and videos of the hazard before it’s fixed or cleaned up.

Step 3: Identify Which Agency Owns or Controls the Property

This step is crucial — your FTCA claim must be filed with the correct agency, not a generic “U.S. Government” address.

Common examples:

If you’re unsure, our attorneys can investigate which agency owns, leases, or manages the property and file your claim with the right one.

Step 4: File Your Administrative Claim (SF-95 Form)

Before you can sue, you must file an administrative claim under the FTCA using the Standard Form 95 (SF-95).
This form must:

• Describe what happened

• Identify who was responsible

• Include the date, time, and location

• Attach evidence of negligence (photos, reports, records)

• Specify an exact dollar amount (“sum certain”) you’re claiming in damages

You must file this claim within 2 years of the incident.

Once submitted, the agency has 6 months to respond. If they deny or ignore your claim, you can then file a lawsuit in U.S. District Court.

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

Step 5: Build a Strong Evidence Package

To win your claim, you’ll need to prove that:

1. The government had a duty to keep the property safe;

2. It breached that duty through negligence;

3. The breach caused your injury; and

4. You suffered actual damages.

Our FTCA team at NSLF builds powerful evidence packages that include:

• Maintenance logs and cleaning schedules (obtained through FOIA)

• Prior incident reports showing repeated hazards

• Witness statements and security footage

• Expert reports from safety engineers and medical specialists

• Comprehensive damage calculations (economic and non-economic losses)

⚔️ Our strategy: We treat every case like it’s going to trial from day one — because that’s how we get the highest settlements.

Step 6: Understand Common Government Defenses

Federal agencies will almost always push back. Expect defenses like:

• “We didn’t know about the hazard.”

• “The danger was open and obvious.”

• “The injured person wasn’t paying attention.”

• “Maintenance was reasonable under the circumstances.”

Our attorneys have handled these defenses from both sides — and we know exactly how to dismantle them.

Read more in our guide:
👉 Common FTCA Defenses and How to Overcome Them.

Step 7: Know What Compensation You Can Recover

If your claim succeeds, you can recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)

• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Property damage

• Wrongful death damages (for surviving families)

Average Range: Most FTCA premises liability cases settle between $75,000 and $400,000, depending on injury severity and negligence proof. Serious injuries or fatalities can exceed $1 million.

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

Why FTCA Cases Are Different — and Why You Need a Specialist

FTCA claims are unlike anything in state court. They involve:

• Strict deadlines (2 years to file the claim, 6 months to sue after denial)

• No punitive damages or jury trials

• Complex jurisdictional rules

• Government attorneys trained to deny liability

Even experienced personal injury lawyers often mishandle FTCA cases — missing deadlines, naming the wrong defendant, or undervaluing claims.

That’s why choosing the right lawyer is critical.

👉 Read our in-depth guide: How to Choose the Right FTCA Lawyer (and Red Flags to Avoid).

How National Security Law Firm Builds Winning FTCA Cases

Our team has decades of combined experience in federal and military law, including inside the very agencies we now hold accountable.

We use that insider knowledge to:

• Identify hidden weaknesses in the government’s defense strategy

• File airtight claims that meet every technical requirement

• Uncover damaging evidence through FOIA requests and discovery

• Present compelling medical and financial proof to maximize compensation

• Push for the largest possible recovery — not the quickest one

Every case we take on is treated like a mission — executed with precision, persistence, and purpose.

🪖 At NSLF, it’s not just about winning. It’s about making the government answer for its mistakes — and getting you every dollar you deserve.

Why Clients Choose National Security Law Firm

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

• 🪖 Former federal and military attorneys with insider knowledge

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

• 💸 Transparent pricing and legal financing options through Affirm

• 💬 Free, no-pressure consultations

• 💥 A proven mission to maximize 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 on federal property, don’t wait. FTCA claims have strict time limits, and early evidence preservation makes all the difference.

📞 Call 202-600-4996 or book your free consultation online.
We’ll review your claim, identify the responsible agency, and start building your case today.

Learn More About FTCA Claims

Visit our FTCA Resource Center for detailed guides on:

• How to File Your SF-95

• VA Medical Malpractice and Federal Hospital Claims

• Slip-and-Fall Accidents on Federal Property

• Car Accidents Involving Federal Employees

• 10 Proven Strategies to Maximize Your FTCA Settlement or Judgment

Whether your injury happened at a post office, VA clinic, airport, or national park, our Resource Center explains every step — from filing your claim to fighting in court.

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