Office of General Counsel

The Federal Tort Claims Act prescribes a uniform procedure for handling of claims against the United States, for money damages only, on account of damage to or loss of property, or personal injury or death, caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of a Government employee while acting within the scope of his or her office or employment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would be liable in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred.

A tort claim against the United States, based on a negligent or wrongful act or omission of an employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs acting within the scope of his or her employment, may be filed by the injured person or his or her legal representative using Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death; however, use of the SF 95 is not mandatory as long as the following requirements are met: 1) detailed allegation; 2) sum certain (total dollar amount claimed in damages); and 3) signature of appropriate claimant. A tort claim must be received by the proper Agency within two years of the date the claim accrued.

Once you have completed the claim form and ensured it complies with the above, please mail to the following address:

If you have any questions, please contact the Torts Law Group at (202) 461-4900. VA Attorneys and support staffing handling Federal tort claims work for the Federal government and cannot provide legal advice with respect to the filing and/or adjudication of tort claims against VA or the United States.