America’s national parks are some of the most beautiful places in the world — but they can also be dangerous when federal employees or park management fail to keep visitors safe. Whether it’s a fall on a poorly maintained trail, an accident at a campsite, or a ranger’s negligence, the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) gives you the right to seek compensation when the federal government is responsible for your injuries.

At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), our attorneys have deep experience holding federal agencies accountable — including the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service, and other federal land authorities. We don’t just file claims; we build strategies to maximize your settlement or judgment and ensure the government answers for its mistakes.

Understanding Who’s Responsible

If you were injured at a national park, forest, monument, wildlife refuge, or other federal recreation site, your claim is likely governed by the FTCA. These areas are managed by federal agencies such as:

  • National Park Service (Department of the Interior)

  • U.S. Forest Service (Department of Agriculture)

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (for certain lakes and recreation areas)

That means you’re not suing a private contractor or a local government — you’re pursuing a claim against the United States Government itself.

Common FTCA Claims in National Parks

Our firm represents clients nationwide in injury and wrongful death cases involving:

  • Slip-and-falls or trip-and-falls caused by uneven walkways, broken railings, or poor maintenance

  • Falling trees, rocks, or debris where the park ignored known hazards

  • Vehicle accidents involving park rangers or federal vehicles

  • Boat or water accidents caused by negligent supervision or unsafe docks

  • Negligent rescue or delayed medical response after an accident

  • Defective signage or trail markings leading to dangerous conditions or wrong turns

  • Wildlife attacks where the park failed to warn of known risks

🌲 Example: A hiker falls from a trail where a guardrail had been reported broken for months. The Park Service ignored maintenance requests — resulting in catastrophic injuries. That’s not an “assumed risk” of hiking; that’s federal negligence.

How to File a Claim Against the National Park Service

Filing a national park injury claim follows the same FTCA process as other federal negligence cases — but the details matter.

Step 1: File an Administrative Claim (SF-95)

Before you can sue, you must file a Standard Form 95 (SF-95) with the appropriate agency — usually the Department of the Interior (for the National Park Service).

  • You must file within two years of the injury or death.

  • Include a detailed explanation of what happened and a specific “sum certain” (the exact amount of money you’re claiming).

  • Attach medical bills, photos, witness information, and any relevant reports.

👉 Download and learn how to complete the SF-95 in our FTCA Resource Center.

Step 2: Wait for the Agency’s Response

The Park Service has six months to investigate and either:

  • Offer a settlement,

  • Deny your claim, or

  • Take no action (which counts as a denial after 180 days).

Once denied or ignored, you can file suit in U.S. District Court.

What Makes Park Injury Cases Complicated

National park FTCA cases are uniquely challenging because the government often hides behind a powerful defense: the “discretionary function exception.”

This means the government will argue that decisions about trail maintenance, warning signs, or hazard removal were policy choices protected by law — not negligence.

How We Counter It

Our attorneys dismantle this defense by showing the difference between “policy” and “carelessness.”
If a park ignored its own safety rules or maintenance schedule, that’s not a discretionary decision — it’s a breach of duty.
We use internal manuals, inspection logs, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to expose violations of mandatory safety procedures.

🧠 Insider Advantage: Our team includes former federal and military attorneys who know exactly how agencies make (and justify) “policy” decisions — and how to prove when they’re lying about them.

Learn more about this defense and others in our guide:
👉 Common FTCA Defenses and How to Overcome Them.

What You Can Recover

If your FTCA claim succeeds, you can recover:

  • Medical expenses and future treatment costs

  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress

  • Property damage

  • Wrongful death damages (if applicable)

The FTCA does not allow punitive damages, but strong evidence and expert valuation can still lead to six- and seven-figure outcomes — especially for permanent injuries or fatalities.

💡 At NSLF, we work with medical experts, economists, and life-care planners to document every dollar of loss. Our goal is always the same: to maximize your recovery.

How NSLF Builds Strong National Park FTCA Cases

Our approach combines precision, persistence, and insider knowledge:

  1. Rapid Evidence Collection – We secure maintenance logs, ranger reports, and witness statements before they disappear.

  2. FOIA Requests – We obtain safety audits and prior incident records showing a pattern of negligence.

  3. Expert Witnesses – We partner with engineers, environmental safety experts, and medical specialists to prove liability and damages.

  4. Strategic Negotiation – We leverage our trial readiness to push for the highest settlement possible — fast.

  5. Litigation Readiness – If the government won’t pay fairly, we file in federal court and fight for the full value of your claim.

Every case we take is built to win — from the first letter we send to the last argument in court.

Why Choose National Security Law Firm

When you’re going up against the federal government, you need a firm that’s been inside the system and knows how to beat it.

Clients choose NSLF because:

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

  • 🪖 Former federal and military attorneys who know how agencies defend these cases

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

  • 💸 Transparent pricing and legal financing options through Affirm

  • 💬 Free, no-pressure consultations

  • 💥 A results-driven mission to maximize every settlement and judgment

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

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’ve been injured in a national park, monument, or any other federal recreation site, don’t assume you have to bear the costs alone. The government can — and should — be held accountable.

📞 Call 202-600-4996 or book your free consultation online.
We’ll review your claim, investigate liability, and build a strategy to pursue the highest possible recovery.

Learn More About FTCA Claims

Visit our FTCA Resource Center for in-depth guides and examples, including:

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

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

  • 10 Proven Strategies to Maximize Your FTCA Settlement or Judgment

Whether your injury happened at Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, or a small national monument, our Resource Center explains your rights and how to take action confidently.

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