This subpart prescribes the requirements for the administrative settlement of claims against the United States, other than claims against the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund under part 136 of this chapter and contract claims, but including claims arising from acts or omissions of employees of non-appropriated fund activities within the United States, its territories, and possessions.

Any person who desires to file a claim against the United States Coast Guard arising out of the activities of the Coast Guard may obtain information and assistance from the Coast Guard Legal Service Command, Claims Division (LSC-5), located at 300 East Main Street, Suite 400, Norfolk, VA 23510-9100, or from Commandant (CG-0945), Attn: Office of Claims and Litigation, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7213, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-7213, or from the Commander of any Coast Guard District listed in 33 CFR Part 3.

Accrual date. The day on which the alleged wrongful act or omission results in injury or damage for which a claim is made or when the claimant discovers, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have discovered, the alleged wrongful act or omission.

Claim. A written notification of an incident accompanied by demand for the payment of a sum certain of money, other than for ordinary obligations incurred for services, supplies, or equipment.

Settle. To consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, compromise (when specifically authorized by law), and dispose of a claim by disapproval or approval, in whole or in part.

Settlement authority. A person authorized to settle a claim.

(a) General rules:

(1) A claim for property loss or damage may be presented by anyone having an interest in the property, including an insurer or other subrogee, unless the interest is barred under § 25.109(a).

(2) A claim for personal injury may be presented by the person injured.

(3) A claim based on death may be presented by the executor or administrator of the decedent's estate, or any other person legally entitled to assert such a claim under local law. The claimant's status must be stated in the claim.

(4) A claim for medical, hospital, or burial expenses may be presented by any person who by reason of family relationship has, in fact, incurred the expenses.

(b) A joint claim must be presented in the names of and signed by, the joint claimants, and the settlement must be made payable to the joint claimants.

(c) A claim may be presented by a duly authorized agent, legal representative or survivor, if it is presented in the name of the claimant. If the claim is not signed by the claimant, the agent, legal representative, or survivor shall indicate their title or legal capacity and provide evidence of their authority to present the claim.

(d) Where the same claimant has a claim for damage to or loss of property and a claim for personal injury or a claim based on death arising out of the same incident, they must be combined in one claim.

(a) The claims of an insured (subrogor) and an insurer (subrogee) for damages arising out of the same incident constitute a single claim. The total award of combined claims may not exceed the monetary jurisdiction of the settlement authority. If the total award of the combined claims exceeds, or is expected to exceed, a settlement authority's limits, the settlement authority is not permitted to consider either, and the claim file will be forwarded to an appropriate settlement authority.

(b) An insured (subrogor) and an insurer (subrogee) may file a claim jointly or separately. If the insurer has fully reimbursed the insured, payment will only be made to the insurer. If separate claims are filed, the settlement will be made payable to each claimant to the extent of that claimant's undisputed interest. If joint claims are filed, the settlement will be sent to the insurer.

(c) Each claimant shall include with a claim, a written disclosure concerning insurance coverage including:

(1) The names and addresses of all insurers;

(2) The kind and amount of insurance;

(3) The policy number;

(4) Whether a claim has been or will be presented to an insurer, and, if so, the amount of that claim; and whether the insurer has paid the claim in whole or in part, or has indicated payment will be made.

(d) Each subrogee shall substantiate an interest or right to file a claim by appropriate documentary evidence and shall support the claim as to liability and measure of damages in the same manner as required of any other claimant. Documentary evidence of payment to a subrogor does not constitute evidence of liability of the United States or conclusive evidence of the amount of damages. The settlement authority makes an independent determination on the issues of fact and law based upon the evidence of record.

(e) An insurance or other subrogated claim is not payable under Subpart E, F, or G of this part.

(a) Form of claim. The claim must meet the requirements of § 25.113. Authorized forms are available from the offices indicated in § 25.103.

(b) Presentation. Whenever possible, the claim must be presented to the Coast Guard Legal Service Command, Claims Division (LSC-5), located at 300 East Main Street, Suite 400, Norfolk, VA 23510-9100. If that is not possible, the claim may also be presented to:

(1) The commanding officer of the Coast Guard unit involved;

(2) A Coast Guard unit convenient to the claimant; or

(3) Commandant (CG-0945), Attn: Office of Claims and Litigation, U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7213, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20593-7213.

(c) Time. The time limits for presenting claims are contained in the following subparts addressing particular claim statutes.

(a) A claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act must be presented using Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death.

(b) A claim under any other Act may be presented using Standard Form 95. Any claim which is not presented using Standard Form 95 shall include:

(1) The identity of the department, agency, or activity whose act or omission gave rise to the claim;

(2) The full name and mailing address of the claimant. If this mailing address is not claimant's residence, the claimant shall also include residence address;

(3) The date, time, and place of the incident giving rise to the claim;

(4) The amount claimed, supported by independent evidence of property damage or loss, personal injury, or death, as applicable;

(5) A detailed description of the incident giving rise to the claim;

(6) A description of any property damage or loss, including the identity of the owner, if other than the claimant, as applicable;

(7) The nature and extent of the injury, as applicable;

(8) The full name, title, if any, and address of any witness to the incident and a brief statement of the witness' knowledge of the incident;

(9) A description of any insurance carried by the claimant or owner of the property and the status of any insurance claim arising from the incident; and

(10) An agreement by the claimant to accept the total amount claimed in full satisfaction and final settlement of the claim.

(c) A claimant or duly authorized agent or legal representative must sign in ink a claim and any amendment to that claim. If the person's signature does not include the first name, middle initial, if any, and surname, that information must be included in the claim. A married woman must sign her claim in her given name, e.g., “Mary A. Doe,” rather than “Mrs. John Doe.”

The claimant shall present independent evidence to support a claim. This evidence may include, if available, statements of witnesses, accident or casualty reports, photographs and drawings.

The following evidence must be presented when appropriate:

(a) Itemized medical, hospital, and burial bills.

(b) A written report by the attending physician including:

(1) The nature and extent of the injury and the treatment,

(2) The necessity and reasonableness of the various medical expenses incurred,

(3) Duration of time injuries prevented or limited employment,

(4) Past, present, and future limitations on employment,

(5) Duration and extent of pain and suffering and of any disability or physical disfigurement,

(6) A current prognosis,

(7) Any anticipated medical expenses, and

(8) Any past medical history of the claimant relevant to the particular injury alleged.

(c) All hospital records or other medical documents from either this injury or any relevant past injury.

(d) If the claimant is employed, a written statement by the claimant's employer certifying the claimant's:

(1) Age,

(2) Occupation,

(3) Hours of employment,

(4) Hourly rate of pay or weekly salary,

(5) Time lost from work as a result of the incident, and

(6) Claimant's actual period of employment, full-time or part-time, and any effect of the injury upon such employment to support claims for lost earnings.

(e) If the claimant is self-employed, written statements, or other evidence showing:

(1) The amount of earnings actually lost, and

(2) The Federal tax return if filed for the three previous years.

(f) If the claim arises out of injuries to a person providing services to the claimant, statement of the cost necessarily incurred to replace the services to which claimant is entitled under law.

The following evidence must be presented when appropriate:

(a) For each particular lost item, evidence of its value such as a bill of sale and a written appraisal, or two written appraisals, from separate disinterested dealers or brokers, market quotations, commercial catalogs, or other evidence of the price at which like property can be obtained in the community. The settlement authority may waive these requirements when circumstances warrant. The cost of any appraisal may be included as an element of damage if not deductible from any bill submitted to claimant.

(b) For each particular damaged item which can be economically repaired, evidence of cost of repairs such as a receipted bill and one estimate, or two estimates, from separate disinterested repairmen. The settlement authority may waive these requirements when circumstances warrant. The cost of any estimate may be included as an element of damage if not deductible from any repair bill submitted to claimant.

(c) For any claim which may result in payment in excess of $20,000.00, a survey or appraisal shall be performed as soon as practicable after the damage accrues, and, unless waived in writing, shall be performed jointly with a government representative.

(d) If the item is so severely damaged that it cannot be economically repaired or used, it shall be treated as a lost item.

(e) If a claim includes loss of earnings or use during repairs to the damaged property, the following must also be furnished and supported by competent evidence:

(1) The date the property was damaged;

(2) The name and location of the repair facility;

(3) The beginning and ending dates of repairs and an explanation of any delay between the date of damage and the beginning date;

(4) A complete description of all repairs performed, segregating any work performed for the owner's account and not attributable to the incident involved, and the costs thereof;

(5) The date and place the property was returned to service after completion of repairs, and an explanation, if applicable, of any delay;

(6) Whether or not a substitute for the damaged property was available. If a substitute was used by the claimant during the time of repair, an explanation of the necessity of using the substitute, how it was used, and for how long, and the costs involved. Any costs incurred that would have been similarly incurred by the claimant in using the damaged property must be identified;

(7) Whether or not during the course of undergoing repairs the property would have been used, and an explanation submitted showing the identity of the person who offered that use, the terms of the offer, time of prospective service, and rate of compensation; and

(8) If at the time of damage the property was under charter or hire, or was otherwise employed, or would have been employed, the claimant shall submit a statement of operating expenses that were, or would have been, incurred. This statement shall include wages and all bonuses which would have been paid, the value of fuel and the value of consumable stores, separately stated, which would have been consumed, and all other costs of operation which would have been incurred including, but not limited to, license and parking fees, personnel expenses, harbor fees, wharfage, dockage, shedding, stevedoring, towage, pilotage, inspection, tolls, lockage, anchorage and moorage, grain elevation, storage, and customs fees.

(f) For each item which is lost, actual or constructive, proof of ownership.

The total amount to which the claimant may be entitled is normally computed as follows:

(a) The total amount of the loss, damage, or personal injury suffered for which the United States is liable, less any payment the claimant has received from the following sources:

(1) The military member or civilian employee who caused the incident;

(2) The military member's or civilian employee's insurer; and

(3) Any joint tort-feasor or insurer.

(b) No deduction is generally made for any payment the claimant has received by way of voluntary contributions, such as donations of charitable organizations.

(a) If the settlement authority determines that the full amount claimed should be paid, the settlement authority forwards the claim to the disbursing officer for payment. If the time involved in settling the claim has been extensive, the settlement authority notifies the claimant.

(b) If the settlement authority determines that less than the full amount claimed should be paid, the settlement authority:

(1) Notifies the claimant in writing of the proposed settlement.

(2) Obtains from the claimant written acceptance and release for payment of the claim in the reduced amount.

(3) Advises the claimant, in the event claimant does not desire to accept the offer, to reply within 45 days giving reasons for rejection.

(4) Except upon a showing of good cause for delay in accepting a proposed settlement within 45 days, treats the non-acceptance as a rejection. Rejection by a claimant of an offer of settlement renders the offer void.

(5) If a claimant rejects a proposed settlement or fails to reply within 45 days, the settlement authority may make further efforts to settle the claim. When the settlement authority determines that further efforts to settle the claim are not warranted, the settlement authority notifies the claimant in writing by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, that the claim has been denied because the amount claimed is excessive.

(c) If the claim is denied, the settlement authority notifies the claimant in writing by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested.

The final denial of a claim by a settlement authority or a partial approval by a settlement authority is not subject to appeal except under the procedures prescribed for Military Claims in Subpart D of this part.

(a) The settlement authority may reconsider a claim upon the authority's own initiative or upon request of the claimant or someone acting on the claimant's behalf.

(b) A request for reconsideration must be in writing and include the legal or factual grounds for the relief requested.

(c) Following any investigation or other action deemed necessary for reconsideration of the original action, the settlement authority reconsiders the claim and if warranted attempts to settle it. When further settlement efforts appear unwarranted, the settlement authority notifies the claimant in writing by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, that the relief requested is denied.

(d) For the effect of reconsideration under the Federal Tort Claims Act see 28 CFR Part 14.

Claimant's acceptance of an offer of settlement is a complete release of any claim against the United States and against the military or civilian personnel of the Coast Guard whose act or omission gave rise to the claim.

(a) The Chief Counsel is delegated the following authority:

(1) To carry out the functions of the Secretary and to exercise the Commandant's authority as commanding officer for all Coast Guard personnel in regard to claims brought under Article 139, Uniform Code of Military Justice (10 U.S.C. 939);

(2) To carry out the functions of an officer designated by the Secretary under the so-called “Foreign Claims Act”, as amended (10 U.S.C. 2734);

(3) To request that the Department of Defense pay any meritorious claims arising under International Agreements in accordance with Title 10 U.S.C. 2734a and 2734b;

(4) To carry out the functions of the Secretary under the Act of October 9, 1962, as amended (10 U.S.C. 2737);

(5) To carry out the functions of the Secretary under the Act of August 16, 1937, as amended (14 U.S.C. 546);

(6) To carry out the functions of the Secretary under the Act of June 15, 1936, as amended (14 U.S.C. 937);

(7) To carry out the functions of the Secretary under the Act of August 4, 1949, as amended (14 U.S.C. 938);

(8) To carry out the functions of the Secretary under the Act of February 19, 1941, as amended (14 U.S.C. 3911);

(9) To carry out the functions of the head of a Federal agency's designee under the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended (28 U.S.C. 2672);

(10) To carry out the functions of the head of an agency under the Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3721);

(11) To carry out the functions of the head of an agency under the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3711);

(12) To carry out the functions of the head of the department under the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 2651-2653);

(13) To review and approve for payment any voucher for payment of a claim for $25 or less the authority for payment of which is questioned by a certifying or disbursing officer;

(14) To establish procedures consistent with the applicable statutes and regulations for the administration of all claims.

(b) The Director of Finance and Procurement is delegated the authority to carry out the functions of the head of an agency under the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3711).

The authority delegated in § 25.131 and in 49 CFR 1.46(j) to the Chief Counsel may, unless otherwise limited, be redelegated in whole or in part to settlement authorities established by the Chief Counsel. Information concerning current settlement authorities is available from the offices indicated in § 25.103.

(a) In certain countries, the Department of Defense has assigned single-service responsibility for the settlement of claims arising under the Foreign Claims Act, Military Claims Act, Nonscope of Employment Claims Act, Federal Medical Care Recovery Act, and Federal Claims Collection Act.

(b) In a country where single-service claims responsibility has been assigned, claims against the United States cognizable under the acts referenced in paragraph (a) of this section are processed and settled by the service assigned responsibility.

(c) A list of countries assigned to a single-service is available from the military attache at any United States embassy or consulate.

(d) In a country not assigned to a single-service, the rules for presenting claims may be found in § 25.111, and the claim will be settled by the Coast Guard.