The Federal Torts Claims Act, or the FTCA, is federal legislation allowing individuals to sue the federal government. Before the adoption of the Act, individuals could not file a lawsuit against the federal government because of the doctrine of sovereign immunity. This means that before the Act, you could not sue for damages if you were in an accident with a federal employee performing their job, such as a mail carrier delivering their mail. Only after the FTCA was adopted could accident victims file a claim against the federal government for their injuries and losses. Nonetheless, there are still various restrictions and exceptions that govern these suits, including: Only federal employees can be sued under the Federal Torts Claim Act. This means you cannot sue independent contractors hired by the federal government. The wrongful or negligent actions of the federal employee need to be within the course of their employment. Under the FTCA, only claims of negligence are allowed. Consequently, if a federal employee intentionally harms another, the victim cannot pursue a suit against the government. The claim must be based on the state's laws where the wrongdoing happened. Due to these limitations, if you were involved in a car accident and want to pursue a claim against a governmental entity, consider discussing the accident with a knowledgeable car accident attorney who can help you better understand the FTCA and what the rules can mean for your claim.