The Federal Tort Claims Act Staff has general supervisory has responsibility for the administration of the FTCA and for: cases filed against the United States under the FTCA (except for aviation and most environmental tort suits); tort suits filed in district courts under legislation extending the FTCA to Community and Migrant Health Centers, physician volunteers at Free Clinics, and to Indian tribes; and affirmative tort suits on behalf of federal agencies.

Although most cases are handled by the United States Attorney’s Offices, the FTCA Staff retains primary responsibility for seminal suits filed under the FTCA and related statutes authorizing tort suits against the United States. The Staff initiates changes in Department regulations implementing the FTCA, which apply throughout the government. The Staff provides guidance to all federal agencies, subject to oversight by Department officials, on policy issues arising under the FTCA. In addition, the Staff resolves administrative claims arising from Department of Justice activities to the extent that such claims are not delegated for direct handling to units within the Department.

Although most of the Staff's work consists of handling litigation directly, the Staff also provides oversight and guidance to United States Attorneys' offices for FTCA litigation handled by those offices.

[updated April 2018]