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Jammer v. United States

Citation: 62 F. App'x 926Docket: No. 03-5007

Court: Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit; April 1, 2003; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

In a decision by the United States Court of Appeals, the motion for summary affirmance filed by the United States was granted concerning the dismissal of a complaint by Tommy Lee Jammer. Jammer had sought $20.2 million in damages in the United States Court of Federal Claims, which dismissed the case due to lack of jurisdiction. The claims were rooted in alleged injuries caused by Texas state officials, absent any federal government involvement. The appellate court reviewed the case and affirmed the dismissal, underscoring that the Court of Federal Claims' jurisdiction is confined to claims against the United States and does not extend to tort and civil rights claims. The ruling was made in light of established legal precedents affirming these jurisdictional boundaries. The decision noted that no substantial legal questions were present to challenge the dismissal, thus justifying summary affirmance. Both parties were ordered to bear their own costs, reinforcing the conclusion that this case was outside the purview of the federal claims system.

Legal Issues Addressed

Jurisdiction of the United States Court of Federal Claims

Application: The Court of Federal Claims lacks jurisdiction over claims arising from actions by state officials and those not involving the United States.

Reasoning: The claims arose from alleged injuries attributed to Texas state officials, not the United States, rendering the Court of Federal Claims without jurisdiction to address the case.

Scope of Claims in the Court of Federal Claims

Application: The Court of Federal Claims is restricted to claims against the United States and does not cover tort and civil rights claims.

Reasoning: The dismissal was supported by legal precedents indicating that the Court of Federal Claims has limited jurisdiction, specifically to claims against the United States and excludes tort and civil rights claims.

Summary Affirmance in Appellate Proceedings

Application: Summary affirmance is appropriate where there are no substantial legal questions regarding the outcome of the appeal.

Reasoning: Since there were no substantial legal questions regarding the outcome of the appeal, the court concluded that summary affirmance was appropriate.