(7) "Tort action" means a civil action for damages for injury or loss to person or property. Under Ohio law, victims can hold the negligent party financially liable for their actions.Tort liability for psychiatric damage: The law of "nervous shock" ; Publication date. January 1, 1993 ; ISBN-10. Under the FTCA, the federal government acts as a self-insurer, and recognizes liability for the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of its employees. "Even where a plaintiff proves a claim of negligent hiring, the plaintiff must establish actual malice before he is entitled to recover punitive damages.