US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

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. 104170A Stat. 271Pub. L. 89–6779 Stat. 212Pub. L. 92–417, § 1(1)86 Stat. 654Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, § 1633103 Stat. 1608Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 808(d)132 Stat. 1839(, , § 4802; , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered § 7802, , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

4802(a)

 

 

4802(b)

4802(c)

10:1861 (less 35 words before 1st proviso, and less last proviso).

10:1861 (last proviso).

10:1866 (as applicable to 10:1861).

Oct. 20, 1951, ch. 524, §§ 1 (less 35 words before 1st proviso), 6 (as applicable to § 1), 65 Stat. 572, 573.

section 4801 of this titleIn subsection (a), the words “consider, ascertain, adjust, determine” are omitted as covered by the word “settle”, as defined in . 10:1861 (1st proviso) is omitted as unnecessary, since other applicable claims laws are restated in this title. 10:1861 (2d proviso) is omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–232section 4802 of this title2018— renumbered as this section.

Pub. L. 101–1891989—Subsec. (c). substituted “$100,000” for “$10,000”.

Pub. L. 92–4171972—Subsec. (a). substituted “Admiralty claims against the United States” for “Damage by United States vessels, towage and salvage of United States vessels” in section catchline, in text preceding par. (1), struck out requirement that the Secretary of the Army discharge his functions under the direction of the Secretary of Defense, in par. (1) inserted “or by other property under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army,” in par. (2) inserted “or to other property under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army; or,” and added par. (3).

Pub. L. 89–671965—Subsec. (c). substituted “$10,000” for “$1,000”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Pub. L. 115–232section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232section 3001 of this titleAmendment by effective , with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see , set out as a note preceding .