§2737 Property Loss; Personal Injury or Death: Incident to Use of Property of the United States and Not Cognizable Under Other Law

Summary

The Secretary (or a person the Secretary picks) can pay up to $1,000 for claims that no other law covers. The claim must be for damage or loss of property, or for personal injury or death, caused by a military department or Coast Guard civilian, or by a service member, while using a U.S. vehicle anywhere or other U.S. property on a government installation. The Secretary of Defense has the same power for Department of Defense civilian employees not covered above. Claims are barred if the claimant (or the claimant’s agent or employee) was partly or fully at fault. Injury or death payments are limited to reasonable medical, hospital, and burial costs actually paid and not paid for by the U.S. Claims must be filed in writing within two years. The claimant must accept the payment as full settlement. No payment if the amount can be recovered under an indemnity law or contract, and claims taken over by another party (subrogated) cannot be paid. Rules should be uniform, and military department rules need the Secretary of Defense’s approval.