Title 22 — Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73
§3777 Investigation of accident or injury giving rise to claim
Title 22 › Chapter CHAPTER 51— - PANAMA CANAL › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATIONS › Part Part 4— - Claims for Injuries to Persons or Property › Subpart subpart ii— - vessel damage › § 3777
Summary
No claim or damages action proceeds unless, before the vessel leaves the Panama Canal, an investigation with a Board of Local Inspectors hearing is finished and the claim brought to Commission.
Full Legal Text
Title 22, §3777
Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a claim may not be considered under this subpart, or an action for damages lie thereon, unless, prior to the departure from the Panama Canal of the vessel involved—
(1)an investigation of the accident or injury giving rise to the claim has been completed, which shall include a hearing by the Board of Local Inspectors of the Commission; and
(2)the basis for the claim has been laid before the Commission.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1996—Par. (1). Pub. L. 104–201 amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: “an investigation by the competent authorities of the accident or injury giving rise to the claim has been completed; and”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
22 U.S.C. § 3777
Title 22 — Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73