American Samoa § 43.1209 - Jurisdiction over actions.

§ 43.1209. Jurisdiction over actions.

(a) The Trial Division of the High Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of civil actions on claims against the government accruing on or after the effective date of this chapter, for money damages, for damage to or loss of property, or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any employee of the government while acting within the scope of his office or employment, under circumstances where the government, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred. (b) The jurisdiction conferred by this section includes jurisdiction of any setoff, counterclaim or other claim or demand whatever on the part of the government against any plaintiff commencing an action under this section. Case Notes: Court has jurisdiction over civil actions against the government for personal injury caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of a government employee acting within the scope of his office or employment. A.S.C.A. § 43.1209. Tauiliili v. American Samoa Government, 13 A.S.R.2d 61 (1989).