2015 US Code
Title 31 - Money and Finance (Sections 101 - 9705)
Subtitle III - Financial Management (Sections 3101 - 3907)
Chapter 37 - Claims (Sections 3701 - 3733)
Subchapter III - Claims Against the United States Government (Sections 3721 - 3733)
Sec. 3723 - Small claims for privately owned property damage or loss

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Metadata
Publication TitleUnited States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 31 - MONEY AND FINANCE
CategoryBills and Statutes
CollectionUnited States Code
SuDoc Class NumberY 1.2/5:
Contained WithinTitle 31 - MONEY AND FINANCE
SUBTITLE III - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 37 - CLAIMS
SUBCHAPTER III - CLAIMS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Sec. 3723 - Small claims for privately owned property damage or loss
Containssection 3723
Date2015
Laws In Effect As Of DateJanuary 3, 2016
Positive LawYes
Dispositionstandard
Source CreditPub. L. 97-258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 975.
Statutes at Large References42 Stat. 1066
57 Stat. 373
59 Stat. 662
60 Stat. 56, 846
92 Stat. 116
96 Stat. 975
Public and Private LawsPublic Law 95-240, Public Law 97-258

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31 U.S.C. § 3723 (2015)
§3723. Small claims for privately owned property damage or loss

(a) The head of an agency (except a military department of the Department of Defense or the Coast Guard) may settle a claim for not more than $1,000 for damage to, or loss of, privately owned property that—

(1) is caused by the negligence of an officer or employee of the United States Government acting within the scope of employment; and

(2) may not be settled under chapter 171 of title 28.


(b) A claim under this section may be allowed only if it is presented to the head of the agency within one year after it accrues.

(c) A claim under this section may be paid as provided in section 1304 of this title only if the claimant accepts the amount of the settlement in complete satisfaction of the claim against the Government.

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 975.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large)
3723(a) 31:215(1st sentence), 216. Dec. 28, 1922, ch. 17, §§1–3, 42 Stat. 1066.
  31:216(note). July 3, 1943, ch. 189, §4, 57 Stat. 373.
  31:216(note). Dec. 28, 1945, ch. 597, §4(words before 3d comma), 59 Stat. 662.
  31:216(note). Dec. 28, 1945, ch. 597, 59 Stat. 662, §5(last sentence); added Mar. 20, 1946, ch. 104, 60 Stat. 56.
  Aug. 2, 1946, ch. 753, §424(a)(last par. on p. 846), 60 Stat. 846.
3723(b) 31:215(last sentence proviso).
3723(c) 31:215(last sentence less proviso), 217.

In subsection (a), before clause (1), the text of 31:216(words before semicolon) is omitted as unnecessary because of section 102 of the revised title. The words "acting on behalf of the Government of the United States" in 31:215 are omitted as unnecessary. The word "settle" is substituted for "consider, ascertain, adjust, and determine" for consistency. The words "after April 6, 1917" are omitted as executed.

In subsection (c), the words "A claim under this section may be paid" are added for clarity. The words "as provided in section 1304 of this title" are substituted for 31:215(last sentence less proviso) because 31:215(last sentence less proviso) is superseded by section 201 of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1978 (Pub. L. 95–240, 92 Stat. 116). The words "of the settlement" are substituted for "determined under the provisions of sections 215 and 216 of this title" in 31:217 for consistency and to eliminate unnecessary words. The word "complete" is substituted for "full" for consistency. The word "satisfaction" is substituted for "settlement" for clarity.

TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS

For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note under section 542 of Title 6.

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