X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

DECISION AND ORDER INTRODUCTION Pro se plaintiff Dan Nankov (“Plaintiff”) has sued the United States Postal Service (“Defendant”), alleging that Defendant’s delivery vehicle drove over Plaintiff’s lawn, causing damage. (Dkt. 1-2). Presently before this Court is Defendant’s motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1). (Dkt. 2). In the alternative, Defendant moves under 28 U.S.C. §2679(d)(1) to substitute the United States as the sole defendant. (Id.). For the reasons set forth below, Defendant’s motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction is granted. BACKGROUND Plaintiff commenced this action on March 14, 2024, in the State of New York, Town of Greece Justice Court, Small Claims Part. (Dkt. 1-2). Plaintiff alleges that on January 31, 2024, Defendant’s delivery vehicle drove over his wet lawn, damaging the lawn. (Id. at 1). Plaintiff states that Defendant has not fixed the lawn despite his direct contact with Defendant. (Id.). Defendant removed this action to federal court by filing a notice of removal on March 19, 2024, relying on 28 U.S.C. §1346(b)(1) (providing that subject to the provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. §§2671-2680 (“FTCA”), districts courts have “exclusive jurisdiction of civil actions on claims against the United States, for money damages,…for injury or loss of property…caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his office or employment, under circumstances where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred.”). (Dkt. 1). On March 25, 2024, Defendant filed the pending motion. (Dkt. 2). Plaintiff has not responded. DISCUSSION I. Legal Standard “A district court properly dismisses an action under Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(1) for lack of subject matter jurisdiction if the court lacks the statutory or constitutional power to adjudicate it….” Cortlandt St. Recovery Corp. v. Hellas Telecomms., S.á.r.l, 790 F.3d 411, 416-17 (2d Cir. 2015) (quotation and citation omitted). “When considering a motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction…a court must accept as true all material factual allegations in the complaint.” Shipping Fin. Servs. Corp. v. Drakos, 140 F.3d 129, 131 (2d Cir. 1998). Further, a court “may consider affidavits and other materials beyond the pleadings to resolve the jurisdictional issue, but it may not rely on conclusory or hearsay statements contained in the affidavits.” Matthias v. United States, 475 F. Supp. 3d 125, 133 (E.D.N.Y. 2020) (alteration omitted) (quoting J.S. ex rel. N.S. v. Attica Cent. Sch., 386 F.3d 107, 110 (2d Cir. 2004)). “[T]he United States, as sovereign, is immune from suit save as it consents to be sued….” Lehman v. Nakshian, 453 U.S. 156, 160 (1981) (quotation and citation omitted). Sovereign immunity extends to federal agencies, see F.D.I.C. v. Meyer, 510 U.S. 471, 475 (1994) (“Absent a waiver, sovereign immunity shields the Federal Government and its agencies from suit.”), and to “federal officers in their official capacities,” Robinson v. Overseas Mil. Sales Corp., 21 F.3d 502, 510 (2d Cir. 1994). Defendant appropriately construes Plaintiff’s claims as falling under the FTCA. (Dkt. 2-2 at 2). Plaintiff alleges that an employee of Defendant, a United States agency, trespassed while driving a delivery vehicle, damaging his lawn. (Dkt. 1-2). This falls under the FTCA. Citarella v. United States, 86 F. Supp. 3d 151, 153 (E.D.N.Y. 2015) (“[T]he Supreme Court of the United States has explained that, ‘[a]lthough the Postal Reorganization Act generally waives the immunity of the Postal Service from suit by giving it the power to sue and be sued in its official name, the statute also provides that the FTCA shall apply to tort claims arising out of activities of the Postal Service.’”); see Sea Gate Beach Club Corp. v. United States, 190 F. Supp. 3d 310, 312 (E.D.N.Y. 2016) (trespass and nuisance claim against federal agency fall under scope of FTCA).1 As relevant here, the FTCA waives sovereign immunity for certain claims arising out of tortious conduct by federal employees. But before bringing any such claim in court, a plaintiff must first exhaust his administrative remedies before the relevant federal agency. 28 U.S.C. §2675 provides that: An action shall not be instituted upon a claim against the United States for money damages for injury or loss of property…caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the Government while acting within the scope of his office or employment, unless the claimant shall have first presented the claim to the appropriate Federal agency and his claim shall have been finally denied by the agency in writing and sent by certified or registered mail. 28 U.S.C. §2675(a) (emphasis added); see also Yunkeung Lee v. United States, 570 F. App’x 26, 27 (2d Cir. 2014) (“Prior to filing an FTCA action, a plaintiff must exhaust administrative remedies, which include presenting the claim to the appropriate federal agency.”). The claim must be filed with the appropriate federal entity “within two years of the injury’s accrual.” Leytman v. United States, 832 F. App’x 720, 722 (2d Cir. 2020) (citing 28 U.S.C. §2401(b)). The exhaustion requirement “is jurisdictional and cannot be waived.” Celestine v. Mt. Vernon Neighborhood Health Ctr., 403 F.3d 76, 82 (2d Cir. 2005). Plaintiff “bears the burden of showing that [ ]he exhausted h[is] administrative remedies by presenting h[is] claim to the appropriate federal agency before filing suit.” Cooke v. United States, 918 F.3d 77, 80 (2d Cir. 2019). II. This Court Lacks Jurisdiction Defendant submits a declaration of Kimberly A. Herbst (“Herbst”), manager of the Tort Program and Adjudication Unit of the United States Postal Service, in support of its motion. (Dkt. 2-1). Herbst states that she has full access to the “Postal Service Law Department (“Law Department”) records that are maintained on each administrative claim submitted to it for adjudication pursuant to the provisions of the [FTCA].” (Id. at 2). Based on her examination of the Law Department’s records, Herbst states that Plaintiff “has not submitted an administrative tort claim to [Defendant] concerning his claim relating to January 31, 2024.” (Id. at 6). Herbst also confirms that a separate database — maintained by the United States Postal Service’s Tort Claims/Collections Specialists — also contains no record of a claim submitted by Plaintiff. (Id. at

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 04, 2025
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.


Learn More
March 24, 2025
New York, NY

Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives.


Learn More

The University of Iowa College of Law anticipates hiring lateral faculty members in the areas of Family Law and Business Law. APPLICATION ...


Apply Now ›

NY auto defense firm seeks experienced TRIAL ATTORNEY to do trials, motions, court appearances, and depositions.Salary range 115K-150K depen...


Apply Now ›

The New York State Unified Court System is one of the largest court systems in the nation with over 16,000 judges and non-judicial employees...


Apply Now ›