This part prescribes the requirements and procedure for administrative settlement of claims against the United States, involving the Maritime Administration, under the Federal Tort Claims Act, based on death, personal injury, or damage to or loss of property. The controlling regulations are promulgated by the Department of Justice at 28 CFR Part 14—Administrative Claims Under Federal Tort Claims Act. These regulations supplement those of the Department of Justice and provide specific guidance regarding claims processing in the Maritime Administration.

Claims for death, personal injury, or damage to or loss of real or personal property are payable when the death, injury or damage is caused by a negligent or wrongful act or omission of an employee of the Maritime Administration, while acting within the scope of employment and under circumstances in which the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant under the law of the place where the act or omission occurred.

A claim is not payable under the regulations in this part 204, if such tort claim is excluded from the scope of the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 2680.

(a) A claim can be settled only if presented in writing within two years after it accrues.

(b) The two year statute of limitations is not tolled until the Office of the Chief Counsel of the Maritime Administration receives from a claimant, or the claimant's duly authorized agent or legal representative, an executed Standard Form 95, “Claims for Damage, Injury, or Death,” or written notification of an incident, together with a claim for money damages in a sum certain, for death, personal injury, or damage to or loss of real or personal property. When a claim is received in any office, mail unit, or other Maritime Administration activity other than the Office of the Chief Counsel, such office, unit or activity shall transmit it to the Office of the Chief Counsel without delay.

(a) If a claim is approved (either for the amount claimed or less than such full amount), the claimant, prior to the disbursement of an award, shall sign a document releasing the United States, its agents and employees from all further claims relating to the incident giving rise to the approved claim.

(b) If the claim is finally denied, the official vested with such authority shall inform the claimant by certified or registered mail of the final denial of the claim. Notification of final denial shall include a statement that a claimant who does not accept or is dissatisfied with the action may institute suit against the United States not later than six months after the date of mailing of the notice of final denial.

(c) A claimant may regard the failure of the Maritime Administration to make a final disposition of a claim within six months after the date of receipt of the claim by the Maritime Administration as a final denial for the purpose of filing suit.

(a) Once the amount to be paid has been agreed upon, the agency shall attempt to forward a check for such amount to the claimant within thirty days.

(b) If a claimant is represented by an attorney, both the claimant and the claimant's attorney shall be designated as payees on any check delivered to the claimant's attorney.

(a) Subject to written approval of the Attorney General of the United States of any payment in excess of $100,000, the Chief Counsel of the Maritime Administration is authorized to approve the award, compromise, or settlement of any tort claim and to authorize payment of the claim.

(b) The Chief Counsel is authorized to deny any claim and to settle and authorize payment of any tort claim involving the Maritime Administration in an amount not exceeding $100,000.

Claimants must file claims with the Chief Counsel (MAR-220), Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation, Room 7232, SW, Washington, DC 20590 at the Nassif Building, 7th and D Streets.

(a) Sought by the United States. If a claim arises under circumstances in which the United States is entitled to indemnity or contribution under a contract or the applicable law governing joint tort-feasors, the Chief Counsel of the Maritime Administration shall notify the third party of the claim and request the third party to honor its obligation to the United States or to accept its share of joint liability. If the issue of third party indemnity or contribution is not satisfactorily adjusted, the underlying claim shall be settled only after consultation with the Department of Justice as provided in 28 CFR 14.7

(b) Sought from the United States. Claims for indemnity or contribution from the United States shall be settled under this part only if the incident giving rise to liability and the claim is otherwise cognizable under this part.

Attorney's fees for any claim settled under this part are limited to not more than twenty percent of the amount paid in settlement.