What legal protection limits the ability to sue government workers for negligence?

Sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine that protects government entities and their employees from being sued for actions taken while performing their official duties. This means that, under normal circumstances, individuals cannot file lawsuits against government workers for negligence that occurs in the course of their employment. Sovereign immunity is designed to ensure that government functions can proceed without the fear of constant litigation, allowing public servants to perform their roles without the threat of personal liability for their official actions.

This legal protection helps to maintain the integrity of government operations by recognizing that public officials must be able to make decisions and perform their duties without the concern of facing personal lawsuits, as long as they act within the scope of their employment and do not engage in gross misconduct or willful wrongdoing. This doctrine varies in its application from one jurisdiction to another, but it generally serves to limit the legal recourse available against government employees for everyday decisions made in the service of their public duties.

In contrast, other options do not provide the same level of protection specific to government workers: Good Samaritan laws typically protect private citizens who assist others in emergency situations; the fairness doctrine pertains to media and broadcasting regulations; and the Federal Tort Claims Act allows for certain lawsuits against the federal government under specific circumstances, but it does