§53911 Civil actions for losses

Summary

You may sue the United States in a federal admiralty court if you disagree about a loss covered by this chapter. File in the U.S. district where you or your agent lives. If you have no U.S. residence, file in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia or in any district where the Attorney General accepts service. Anyone with an interest in the insurance can be joined. Suing the United States here is the only way to raise the same issue; you may not separately sue a government officer, employee, or agent. The court will decide the case under chapter 309. If you file a claim with the Secretary of Transportation, the deadline to sue is paused while the Secretary considers it and for 60 days after a denial. The Secretary is treated as denying the claim if no action is taken within 6 months unless a different time is agreed for good cause. If the Secretary admits the Government owes money but people dispute who should be paid, the Government can start a lawsuit to have the claimants sorted out. That suit may be in the District of Columbia or in a district where any claimant lives. People outside the district can be joined in the way the court orders. If unknown persons might claim, the court can allow notice by publishing in the Federal Register. A judgment after that publication releases the Government from further liability to all persons.