Opinion ID: 509579
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Application of the Discretionary Function Exception

Text: 71 The Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1346(b), authorizes actions against the United States for damages 72 for injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or ommission of any employee of the Government--while acting within the scope of his office or employment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred. 73 See also United States v. S.A. Empresa de Viacao Aerea Rio Grandense (Varig Airlines), 467 U.S. 797, 807-08, 104 S.Ct. 2755, 2761, 81 L.Ed.2d 660 (1984). The government's waiver of immunity is qualified by the exceptions contained in 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2680. Section 2680(a) contains what is commonly known as the discretionary function exception. It provides that the waiver of immunity contained in section 1346(b) does not apply to 74 [a]ny claim based upon an act or omission of an employee of the Government, exercising due care, in the execution of a statute or regulation, whether or not such statute or regulation be valid, or based upon the exercise or performance or the failure to exercise or perform a discretionary function or duty on the part of a federal agency or an employee of the Government, whether or not the discretion involved be abused. 75 On appeal, plaintiffs argue that the district court committed reversible error when it concluded that Dr. Channing's failure to comply with the SOP was within the discretionary function exception. They contend that the failure to comply with a duly adopted procedure is not a discretionary function within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. Sec. 2680(a). See Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians v. United States, 800 F.2d 1187, 1196 (D.C.Cir.1986) (decisions involving discretion to make or implement policy are discretionary functions within the meaning of section 2680(a)); Mandel v. United States, 793 F.2d 964, 967-68 (8th Cir.1986) (failure to comply with previously adopted safety policy is not a discretionary function for which the government retains immunity); Carlyle v. United States, Dept. of the Army, 674 F.2d 554, 557 (6th Cir.1982) (Army's decision whether to supervise recruits was a discretionary function; if government had decided to provide supervisors and they had negligently performed this duty, judicial review under Federal Tort Claims Act could have been appropriate); Miller v. United States, 583 F.2d 857, 867 (6th Cir.1978) (governmental decision as to appropriate level of water in channel is a discretionary function; government not immune from liability for negligent raising and lowering of flood gates). 76 Plaintiffs' argument reflects a misunderstanding of the scope of the district court's decision. The district court merely held that the government's failure to adopt and implement internal safeguards was a discretionary function. Plaintiffs apparently take no issue with this holding on appeal. See Plaintiffs' Brief at 20. To the extent that plaintiffs argue that Dr. Channing's failure to comply with a duly adopted procedure is not a discretionary function, the government admits that this is a correct statement of the law. Government's Brief at 43 n. 9. Accordingly, we conclude that the discretionary function exception does not bar plaintiffs' suit to the extent that it is based upon Dr. Channing's alleged negligence in failing to follow the standard operating procedure.