FTCA claims against federal government must contain dollar figure

The New Jersey Law Journal (1/28, Gallagher) reported, "People who file tort claims against the U.S. government must put a dollar figure on their damages up front even if they don't know the final tab because they are still being treated, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The precedential decision construing the Federal Tort Claims Act affirmed dismissal of a personal injury claim in White-Squire v. United States Postal Service, No. 09-1577." To "the plaintiff's argument that she could not give a number because her doctor recommended additional procedures, [Judge D. Brooks] Smith said she could have asked the doctor for an estimate and could have amended the claim if she spent more."