The Federal Tort Claims Act or FTCA allows non active-duty personnel (including, but not limited to retirees, spouse, children, and some active duty personnel, etc.) to sue the United States government when it is negligent directly or through its various agencies (such as the Veteran’s Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Postal Service)

Under the FTCA, the federal government acts as a self-insurer, and recognizes liability for the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of its employees acting within the scope of their official duties. The United States is liable to the same extent an individual would be in like circumstances. The statute substitutes the United States as the defendant in such a suit and the United States—not the individual employee—bears any resulting liability

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