Title 50, War and National DefenseRelease 119-102

§1828 Civil Liability

Title 50 › CHAPTER 36 — FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE › SUBCHAPTER II — PHYSICAL SEARCHES › § 1828

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Anyone, except a foreign power or its agent, whose U.S. home, property, information, or material was physically searched, or whose information from that search was shared or used in violation of section 1827, may sue the person who did it. If they win, they can get actual money for their loss but at least $1,000 or $100 per day for each day of the violation (whichever is greater), punitive damages, and reasonable lawyer fees and investigation and court costs.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §1828

War and National Defense, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

An aggrieved person, other than a foreign power or an agent of a foreign power, as defined in section 1801(a) or (b)(1)(A), respectively, of this title, whose premises, property, information, or material has been subjected to a physical search within the United States or about whom information obtained by such a physical search has been disclosed or used in violation of section 1827 of this title shall have a cause of action against any person who committed such violation and shall be entitled to recover—
(1)actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages of $1,000 or $100 per day for each day of violation, whichever is greater;
(2)punitive damages; and
(3)reasonable attorney’s fees and other investigative and litigation costs reasonably incurred.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 90 days after Oct. 14, 1994, with exception for certain physical searches approved by the Attorney General to gather foreign intelligence information, see section 807(c) of Pub. L. 103–359, set out as a note under section 1821 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 1828

Title 50, War and National Defense

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102