United States v. John M. Reilly

LEWIS, Circuit Judge.

This is a suit by the government for indemnity or in the alternative, contribu tion, for the cost of settling five tort actions brought against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b). The tort actions were instituted by representatives of five minor children seeking total damages of $2,210,500 for injuries and death caused by the accidental explosion of a 2.36-inch rocket launcher round or “bazooka shell.” The amount paid in settlement was $350,000. The government looks to appellee John M. Reilly for indemnity on grounds that his…