Federal Tort Claims Act

Amtrak Accident: Government to Require Cameras in Train Cabs

According to the Associated Press, President Barack Obama’s administration says that it is drafting rules that would require railroads to install cameras inside train cabs.

Installation of Cameras in Train Cabs

The cameras would record the actions of engineers operating trains. The announcement comes after an Amtrak train traveling from D.C. to New York City derailed...

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Eight Injured in Partial Ceiling Collapse at Government Sponsored Event

Eight people suffered injuries when a ceiling partially collapsed at an event on I Street SE in Washington, D.C. on the night of August 16. The collapse occurred during a go-go music exhibition organized by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. According to fire officials, construction and the vibrations coming from the music...

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Defendants Trying to Pass the Buck on Liability in Wrongful Death Case

Defendants in a $50 million wrongful death lawsuit are fighting each other over liability in a 2004 steam explosion that killed two men on 17th Street in Northwest Washington, D.C. After six years of disputes amongst the various defendants, including the federal government, the case is showing signs of moving forward. The parties...

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Family of Maryland Paramedic Killed in Helicopter Crash Sues Government

Historically, a concept known as sovereign immunity prevented anyone from suing the king or the government. The Federal Tort Claims Act, however, permits Americans to sue federal employees who act negligently while in the scope of their employment. There are a lot more hoops to jump through, though, in pursuing a claim against the...

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