Jacksonville, FL (8/26, Weeder, Wax) on its website reported, "The death of Petty Officer Nathan Hafterson is being used in a petition filed with U.S. Supreme Court asking the high court to allow active duty military personnel to sue the government. Hafterson, 21, died on March 26, 2006, at Naval Hospital Jacksonville after being admitted for trouble breathing." Attorneys Sean Cronin and Bryan Gowdy "are teaming up to petition the Supreme Court to reconsider a decision that dates back to 1950." Said Gowdy, "It would be a landmark case. It would put military members on the same footing as civilians under the Federal Tort Claims Act."
WJXT-TVJacksonville, FL (8/26) on its website reported, "The family’s malpractice lawsuit was rejected by lower courts because of a federal law that prohibits active military members from suing the U.S. government. … The Hafterson’s attorneys have now filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court asking for that law, known as the Feres Doctrine, to be overturned."
