Laura J. Jones v. United States, 467 F. App'x 815

FTCA case involving alleged Camp Lejeune drinking-water contamination and resulting cancer claim.
Jones filed a FTCA administrative claim for $10 million in 2007; bankruptcy issues arose around disclosure.
Jones did not disclose the FTCA claim in her Chapter 13/converted Chapter 7 schedules.
Bankruptcy court discharged no-asset; debts remained about $53,000.
Government sought discovery; Jones admitted she omitted bankruptcy proceedings from disclosure; later sought to reopen bankruptcy to add FTCA claim.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument	Defendant's Argument	Held
Whether judicial estoppel bars the FTCA claim	Jones disagrees with estoppel ruling	Government asserts intentional concealment and motive	Judicial estoppel affirmed; district court did not err
Standing to challenge substitution of Trustee	Jones lacks standing to challenge substitution denial	Trustee not aggrieved; substitution ruling unaffected	Jones lacks standing; substitution ruling not reviewable by Jones

Burnes v. Pemco Aeroplex, Inc., 291 F.3d 1282 (11th Cir. 2002) (two-part test for judicial estoppel; intent and inconsistency)
Robinson v. Tyson Foods, Inc., 595 F.3d 1269 (11th Cir. 2010) (application of judicial estoppel to bankruptcy omissions)
Barger v. City of Cartersville, Ga., 348 F.3d 1289 (11th Cir. 2003) (intent to conceal; motive and record inference)
Parker v. Wendy’s Int’l, Inc., 365 F.3d 1268 (11th Cir. 2004) (standing considerations on substitution/estoppel)
Reed v. City of Arlington, 650 F.3d 571 (5th Cir. 2011) (discussion of estoppel and substitute parties)
Curtiss-Wright Corp. v. General Elec. Co., 446 U.S. 1 (1980) (abuse of discretion review standard; equities in estoppel)