Us Code § 3776 - Actions on claims
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 3776 — Actions on claims, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 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, §1416, Sept. 27, 1979, 93 Stat. 487; Pub. L. 99–209, §5, Dec. 23, 1985, 99 Stat. 1717; Pub. L. 104–106, div. C, title XXXV, §3529(6), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 642; Pub. L. 105–85, div. C, title XXXV, §3543(b), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2072; Pub. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXV, §§3509(a)(3), 3512(a)(5), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2270, 2271.)
Editorial Notes
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.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
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.
About This Section
22 U.S.C. § 3776 is part of Title 22 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 22 U.S.C. § 3776. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.