10 U.S.C. § 7802

Admiralty claims against the United States

(a)

The Secretary of the Army may settle or compromise an admiralty claim against the United States for—

(1)

damage caused by a vessel of, or in the service of, the Department of the Army or by other property under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army;

(2)

compensation for towage and salvage service, including contract salvage, rendered to a vessel of, or in the service of, the Department of the Army or to other property under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army; or

(3)

damage caused by a maritime tort committed by any agent or employee of the Department of the Army or by property under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army.

(b)

If a claim under subsection (a) is settled or compromised for $500,000 or less, the Secretary of the Army may pay it. If it is settled or compromised for more than $500,000, he shall certify it to Congress.

(c)

In any case where the amount to be paid is not more than $100,000, the Secretary of the Army may delegate his authority under subsection (a) to any person in the Department of the Army designated by him.

( Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041 , 70A Stat. 271 , § 4802; Pub. L. 89–67 , July 7, 1965 , 79 Stat. 212 ; Pub. L. 92–417, § 1(1) , Aug. 29, 1972 , 86 Stat. 654 ; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, § 1633 , Nov. 29, 1989 , 103 Stat. 1608 ; renumbered § 7802, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(d) , Aug. 13, 2018 , 132 Stat. 1839 .)