
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 22USC3776]

 
               TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE
 
                        CHAPTER 51--PANAMA CANAL
 
              SUBCHAPTER I--ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATIONS
 
           Part 4--Claims for Injuries to Persons or Property
 
                        subpart ii--vessel damage
 
Sec. 3776. Actions on claims

    Subject to section 3779(b) of this title, a claimant for damages 
pursuant to section 3771(a) or 3772 of this title who considers himself 
aggrieved by the findings, determination, or award of the Commission in 
reference to his claim may bring an action on the claim against the 
Commission in the United States District Court for the Eastern District 
of Louisiana. Subject to the provisions of this part and of applicable 
regulations issued pursuant to section 3811 of this title relative to 
navigation of the Panama Canal and adjacent waters, such actions shall 
proceed and be heard by the court without a jury according to the 
principles of law and rules of practice obtaining generally in like 
cases between a private party and a department or agency of the United 
States. Any judgment obtained against the Commission in an action under 
this subpart may be paid only out of money allotted for the maintenance 
and operation of the Panama Canal. An action for damages cognizable 
under this section shall not otherwise lie against the United States or 
the Commission, nor in any other court, than as provided in this 
section; nor may it lie against any officer or employee of the United 
States or of the Commission. Any action on a claim under this section 
shall be barred unless the action is brought within 180 days after the 
date on which the Commission mails to the claimant written notification 
of the Commission's final determination with respect to the claim or by 
May 17, 1998, whichever is later. Attorneys appointed by the Commission 
shall represent the Commission in any action arising under this subpart.

(Pub. L. 96-70, title I, Sec. 1416, Sept. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 487; Pub. 
L. 99-209, Sec. 5, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1717; Pub. L. 104-106, div. 
C, title XXXV, Sec. 3529(6), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 642; Pub. L. 105-
85, div. C, title XXXV, Sec. 3543(b), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2072; 
Pub. L. 105-261, div. C, title XXXV, Secs. 3509(a)(3), 3512(a)(5), Oct. 
17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2270, 2271.)


                               Amendments

    1998--Pub. L. 105-261 substituted ``Subject to section 3779(b) of 
this title, a claimant'' for ``A claimant'' in first sentence and ``by 
May 17, 1998'' for ``November 18, 1997''.
    1997--Pub. L. 105-85 substituted ``180 days'' for ``one year'' and 
``claim or November 18, 1997,'' for ``claim, or within one year after 
December 23, 1985,''.
    1996--Pub. L. 104-106 struck out ``appropriated or'' after ``out of 
money'' in third sentence.
    1985--Pub. L. 99-209 substituted ``section 3771(a) or 3772 of this 
title'' for ``section 3771 of this title'', substituted ``may be paid 
only out out money'' for ``shall be paid out of any moneys'', and 
inserted provisions that any action on a claim under this section shall 
be barred unless the action is brought within one year after the date on 
which the Commission mails to the claimant written notification of the 
Commission's final determination with respect to the claim, or within 
one year after Dec. 23, 1985, whichever is later, and that attorneys 
appointed by the Commission shall represent the Commission in any action 
arising under this subpart.


                    Effective Date of 1985 Amendment

    Amendment by Pub. L. 99-209 applicable to any claim arising on or 
after Oct. 1, 1979, see section 7(a) of Pub. L. 99-209, set out as a 
note under section 3771 of this title.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 3761 of this title.
