Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-102

§3777 Investigation of Accident or Injury Giving Rise to Claim

Title 22 › CHAPTER 51 — PANAMA CANAL › SUBCHAPTER I — ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATIONS › Part 4 — Claims for Injuries to Persons or Property › subpart ii — vessel damage › § 3777

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

A claim or lawsuit for damages tied to an accident on a ship cannot be acted on unless two things happen before that ship leaves the Panama Canal. First, an investigation of the accident or injury must be finished, and it must include a hearing by the Commission’s Board of Local Inspectors. Second, the reason for the claim must be presented to the 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

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102