Opinion ID: 4707703
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Exhaustion of FTCA Claim

Text: Prior to filing this lawsuit, Mr. Smith had to exhaust his FTCA claim through the VA. Specifically, Mr. Smith filed a “tort claim” under the FTCA, alleging that his “VA healthcare providers negligently failed to timely diagnose and treat [his] tongue cancer.” In a December 2015 letter, the VA’s Office of Regional Counsel denied Mr. Smith’s claim. The Regional Counsel’s letter stated that the VA had “thoroughly investigated the facts and circumstances surrounding [Mr. Smith’s] administrative tort claim” and concluded “there was no negligent or wrongful act on the part of” any VA employee. The VA, at least at that point, seemingly conceded that medical negligence or malpractice was the proper lens through 17 USCA11 Case: 20-11365 Date Filed: 07/29/2021 Page: 18 of 58 which to view Mr. Smith’s claims.5 That same letter informed Mr. Smith that if he were “dissatisfied,” he could “file a request for reconsideration of [his] claim with the VA General Counsel.”6 Mr. Smith did that. In a February 2018 letter, the VA’s Office of the General Counsel responded that it had reconsidered Mr. Smith’s FTCA claim. The General Counsel “found no evidence of any negligent or wrongful act or omission on the part of a [VA] employee acting within the scope of his or her employment that caused or contributed to any injury to Mr. Smith.” The General Counsel’s letter informed Mr. Smith that if he wished to pursue his claim further, he could file suit in a federal court.