The Federal Tort Claims Act waives immunity under what condition?

The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) waives the federal government’s sovereign immunity, allowing individuals to sue the United States for certain torts committed by federal employees while acting within the scope of their employment. This means that if a government employee acts negligently in the course of their duties, individuals who suffer damages as a result can seek compensation through a lawsuit.

The FTCA is specifically designed to provide recourse for those who may be harmed by negligent actions rather than offering blanket immunity from all claims. While there are exceptions—such as immunity for certain discretionary functions and actions taken in the realm of federal agencies—the core concept is that negligence by government employees during the performance of their official duties can lead to legal liability for the government.

The other choices presented do not accurately capture the conditions under which the FTCA waives immunity. Minor accidents do not specifically define the context of negligence under the act, and the FTCA does not apply universally to all claims against the federal government. Additionally, actions taken by private contractors typically fall outside the purview of the FTCA regarding government employee conduct. Thus, the condition of government employee negligence is pivotal to understanding the scope and application of the FTCA.