When you’ve been injured by the federal government — at a VA hospital, post office, airport, national park, or military base — you have a right that few people realize:
You can sue the United States for negligence under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).

But make no mistake — the federal government doesn’t make it easy.
They’ll use every procedural trap, delay, and technical defense to minimize what they owe.

At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), our attorneys are former federal and military lawyers who used to defend these very cases.
Now, we’re on the other side — using insider intelligence and precision strategy to maximize compensation for every client we represent.

Understanding the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA)

The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) is the law that lets individuals recover compensation from the United States for negligence by federal employees acting within the scope of their duties.

It covers a wide range of injuries, including:

  • Medical malpractice at VA hospitals or federal clinics

  • Vehicle accidents involving postal trucks, military vehicles, or other government drivers

  • Slip-and-fall injuries at post offices, courthouses, or other federal properties

  • Negligence by TSA agents, airport security, or law enforcement

  • Injuries in national parks or federal recreation areas

  • Civilian injuries on military bases

These cases follow a unique process, with strict deadlines, procedural requirements, and damage caps.
That’s why winning — and winning big — depends on doing everything right from the very first step.

The Federal Government’s Playbook: How They Try to Undervalue Claims

If there’s one thing we know from experience, it’s this:
The government’s goal is not fairness — it’s containment.

Here’s how they minimize your recovery:

  1. Delaying responses to frustrate claimants into accepting low settlements

  2. Using vague “discretionary function” defenses to argue immunity

  3. Downplaying medical evidence or questioning causation

  4. Claiming “comparative negligence” (blaming you for part of the injury)

  5. Relying on pro se filings or inexperienced lawyers who undervalue the claim

  6. Pressuring early settlements before full damages are known

To beat this playbook, you need to fight back strategically — with preparation, documentation, and leverage.

Step One: File a Perfect SF-95

Every FTCA case starts with Standard Form 95 (SF-95) — your official administrative claim.
This form is where most claimants make fatal errors.

Your SF-95 must:

  • Identify the correct federal agency

  • Describe the facts clearly and concisely

  • Include a “sum certain” — a precise dollar figure you’re claiming in damages

  • Be filed within two years of the injury

👉 Download the SF-95 Form

Common mistake: Many people list a number too low because they underestimate long-term medical care or future losses.
Once submitted, you cannot claim more than the amount listed unless new evidence emerges later.

At NSLF, we use economic, medical, and occupational experts to value claims correctly the first time, protecting our clients from being locked into low settlements.

Step Two: Build Evidence the Government Can’t Ignore

Winning an FTCA case isn’t just about what happened — it’s about what you can prove.

The federal government controls most of the key evidence: inspection reports, internal memos, witness statements, and surveillance footage.
That’s why NSLF uses a FOIA-powered evidence strategy led by Matt Pollack, one of the nation’s foremost experts in the Freedom of Information Act.

We don’t wait for discovery.
We proactively request:

  • Safety audits and inspection logs

  • Maintenance records and internal communications

  • Medical quality reviews and provider evaluations

  • Incident reports and after-action summaries

This early evidence allows us to build leverage, challenge agency narratives, and often force settlements long before trial.

Step Three: Use Expert Witnesses to Prove Maximum Value

The government routinely underestimates injury claims because they use in-house reviewers to “audit” your damages.
To counter that, NSLF works with a national network of medical, forensic, and economic experts who can quantify every aspect of loss — not just what’s obvious.

Our experts include:

  • Medical specialists to explain long-term care needs

  • Vocational experts to document lost earning capacity

  • Life-care planners to project lifetime medical costs

  • Economists to calculate inflation-adjusted losses

By presenting expert-backed damages models early, we set the negotiation anchor — and make it difficult for agencies to justify low offers.

Step Four: Leverage Agency Procedure to Your Advantage

Every agency — from the VA to the USPS to DHS — has its own internal process for reviewing FTCA claims.
Because our attorneys have worked inside these agencies, we know how they evaluate, escalate, and approve settlements.

Here’s what we do differently:

  • We speak their language. We frame your claim in the same structure agencies use internally, streamlining review and avoiding bureaucratic delays.

  • We anticipate objections. We address likely defenses in advance, eliminating excuses for denial.

  • We escalate strategically. We know when to bypass lower-level adjusters and present directly to supervisory or DOJ counsel.

In other words, we don’t just file your claim — we engineer it to be approved.

Step Five: Know When to Litigate

If the agency denies your claim or fails to respond within six months, you can file suit in federal district court.
That’s when the government truly takes notice.

Our litigators are former JAG officers and federal trial attorneys who’ve faced DOJ lawyers in courtrooms across the country.
We know how to:

  • Cross-examine agency witnesses

  • Challenge “discretionary function” or “scope of employment” defenses

  • Present expert testimony on negligence and causation

  • Argue for full compensatory damages before federal judges

Unlike many firms that settle early, we prepare every FTCA case for litigation from day one — which is exactly why our cases settle higher.

The NSLF Advantage: How We Maximize FTCA Compensation

At National Security Law Firm, our entire FTCA strategy is built on precision and leverage.
Here’s what sets us apart:

1. Insider Advantage

Our attorneys are former federal and military lawyers who’ve worked for the same agencies we now hold accountable. We know the bureaucracy — and how to cut through it.

2. FOIA-Driven Discovery

We use the Freedom of Information Act to uncover what the government hides — before discovery ever begins.

3. Expert-Backed Valuation

We partner with top experts to build a comprehensive, data-driven damages model that forces fair compensation.

4. Early Structuring and Strategy

Every case starts with a timeline, claim matrix, and evidence map to ensure nothing slips through the cracks.

5. Relentless Negotiation

We treat every negotiation as a battlefield. The government settles when it knows we’re ready to win in court.

Common Mistakes That Reduce FTCA Settlements

Avoid these costly errors that can sink your claim:

  • Filing the SF-95 late or with missing information

  • Forgetting to include a “sum certain”

  • Accepting a low offer before full medical recovery

  • Hiring a lawyer unfamiliar with FTCA rules

  • Failing to appeal or refile within six months after denial

At NSLF, we prevent these mistakes from day one — because every procedural error is a gift to the government.

How Much Can You Recover?

The amount you can recover under the FTCA depends on:

  • The severity of injury

  • The economic and non-economic losses

  • The strength of evidence

  • The credibility of witnesses and experts

  • The agency’s prior settlement history

Typical settlement ranges:

  • VA Medical Malpractice: $500,000 – $2,000,000+

  • Postal or Federal Vehicle Accidents: $70,000 – $600,000

  • Slip-and-Fall at Federal Facilities: $50,000 – $300,000

  • National Park Injuries: $50,000 – $500,000

  • Wrongful Death Cases: Often $1,000,000+ depending on circumstances

Our goal in every case: to push beyond averages and set new benchmarks.

Why Choose National Security Law Firm

When you go up against the federal government, you need more than just a lawyer — you need a team that’s been inside the system, understands its tactics, and knows how to win.

At National Security Law Firm, we bring:

  • ⭐ 4.9-Star Google Reviews

  • ⚖️ Former federal litigators, JAG officers, and agency counsel

  • 🌎 Nationwide representation from our Washington, D.C. headquarters

  • 💼 Decades of combined government and trial experience

  • 💪 A singular mission: 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 at a VA hospital, federal building, national park, or by a federal employee, don’t wait. The clock is ticking.

Your consultation is free and confidential.
We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and map out a plan to win.

📞 Call 202-600-4996 or Book a Consultation Now.

Learn More About FTCA Claims

For in-depth guides, case examples, and step-by-step strategies, visit our
FTCA Resource Center — the most comprehensive online guide to the Federal Tort Claims Act.

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