Federal Tort Claims Act

Navajo Family Sues over Tribal Police Killing

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the complaint in Begaye v. United States (D.N.M.):

1 Complaint.pdfDownload

Idaho Federal Court Dismisses FTCA Claim Brought against CdA Tribal Police

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are relevant materials in Baker v. Axton (D. Idaho):

1 Notice of Removal

1-8 Amended Complaint

5-1 Motion to Dismiss

14 Opposition to Motion for Remand

15 Opposition to Motion to Dismiss

16 Reply ISO Motion for Remand

19 DCT Order

Oklahoma Federal Court Dismisses Wrongful Death Action against Feds and Tribe in Shooting of Unarmed Cherokee Man

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Englebright v. Buhl (N.D. Okla.):

9 Amended Complaint

34 Cherokee MTD

36 Federal MTD

39 Response to 36

40 Response to 34

41 Motion to Amend re Feds

42 Motion to Amend re Cherokee

43 Cherokee Reply ISO 34

44 Federal Reply ISO 36

45 Cherokee Response to 42

46 Federal Response to 41

47 Reply ISO 41

48 Reply ISO 42

49 DCt Order 

South Dakota Federal Court Awards $39M to Victims of Negligent High-Speed Chase by Flandreau Tribal Police

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Roemen v. United States (D.S.D.):

282 Third Amended Complaint.pdfDownload
275 US Post-Trial Brief.pdfDownload
279 Reply.pdfDownload
Roemen v. United States, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 56276.pdfDownload

Nevada Federal Court Dismisses Employment Action by Terminated Tribal Police Officer

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Erwine v. United States/Erwin v. Churchill County (D. Nev.):

59 First Amended Complaint

66 US Motion to Dismiss

72 Opposition

76 Reply ISO 66

107 DCT Order Granting 66

111-1 Motion to Dismiss

115 Opposition

117 Reply ISO 111

123 DCT Order

Want that hat.

Eighth Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Wrongful Death Suit against BIA Cops for Killing Innocent Tribal Citizen

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Martin v. Gorneau:

Appellant Brief

Federal Actors Brief

Municipal Actors Brief

State Actors Brief

Unpublished Opinion

Prior post here.

This just seems absolutely lousy. What a Kafkaesque justice system.

L.B. Awarded $1.6 Million after Trial over Assault by BIA/Northern Cheyenne Police

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in L.B. v. United States (D. Mont.):

179 L.B. Trial Brief.pdfDownload
180 U.S. Trial Brief.pdfDownload
192 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Prior post here.

Utah Federal Court Rejects FTCA Claims by Ute Water Allotment Holders

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are the materials in Perank v. United States (D. Utah):

31 Amended Complaint.pdfDownload
83 Motion for Summary J.pdfDownload
87 Response.pdfDownload
88 Reply.pdfDownload
92 DCT Order.pdfDownload

Ninth Circuit Restores Suit against Feds in L.B. v. United States

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here is the unpublished opinion.

Briefs here.

One of the shittier efforts by DOJ to weasel out of accountability I’ve seen (and there are plenty). Glad the government’s position was booted so unceremoniously.

Quechan Wins $8M+ FTCA Judgment for Negligent Destruction of Cultural Property

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here are materials in Quechan Indian Tribe v. United States (S.D. Cal.):

405 Tribe Damages Brief

405-1 Meyer Dec

405-2 Meyer Dec Exh A

405-3 Somerville Dec

Dkt 407 Judgment

Doc 404 Findings Conclusion and Order

Prior post here.