Paul A. Thomas v. Calavar Corporation, United States of America

ALVIN B. RUBIN, Circuit Judge:

An employee of a subcontractor, engaged pursuant to a contract with the United States Department of Energy (“DOE”) to convert an underground salt cavern to a crude oil storage site, seeks to recover damages from the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(b), 2671 (1976) (“FTCA”). Holding that this work is, beyond genuine dispute, part of the trade, business, or occupation of the federal government, and that, therefore, the FTCA does not cover an injury sustained in the course of such work, the district court rendered summary judgment…