Questions presented
SCOTUS records, cert granted 30 Jun 2014
Whether the two-year time limit for filing an administrative claim with the appropriate federal agency under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. 2401(b), is subject to equitable tolling.
Opinion summary
Etalia.ai summary of the majority opinion
The case involved the interpretation of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) regarding the statute of limitations for filing claims against the United States. The issue was whether a claim accrues when an injury occurs or when it is discovered, particularly in cases where harm may not be immediately apparent. Petitioner June sought to file a claim after discovering her son's birth defects were allegedly caused by medical negligence at a government hospital years earlier. The Supreme Court ruled that under FTCA, claims must be filed within two years from when they are reasonably discoverable, aligning with common law principles and promoting fairness for plaintiffs who might otherwise miss deadlines due to latent injuries.
Opinion written by Justice Kagan
Decided 22 Apr 2015 · Official report