33 USC 2713 – Claims procedure
(a) Presentation
Except as provided in subsection (b), all claims for removal costs or damages shall be presented first to the responsible party or guarantor of the source designated under section 2714(a) of this title.
(b) Presentation to Fund
(1) In general
Claims for removal costs or damages may be presented first to the Fund—
(A) if the President has advertised or otherwise notified claimants in accordance with section 2714(c) of this title;
(B) by a responsible party who may assert a claim under section 2708 of this title;
(C) by the Governor of a State for removal costs incurred by that State; or
(D) by a United States claimant in a case where a foreign offshore unit has discharged oil causing damage for which the Fund is liable under section 2712(a) of this title.
(2) Limitation on presenting claim
No claim of a person against the Fund may be approved or certified during the pendency of an action by the person in court to recover costs which are the subject of the claim.
(c) Election
Terms Used In 33 USC 2713
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Guarantor: A party who agrees to be responsible for the payment of another party's debts should that party default. Source: OCC
- Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
- State: means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States. See 1 USC 7
If a claim is presented in accordance with subsection (a) and—
(1) each person to whom the claim is presented denies all liability for the claim, or
(2) the claim is not settled by any person by payment within 90 days after the date upon which (A) the claim was presented, or (B) advertising was begun pursuant to section 2714(b) of this title, whichever is later,
the claimant may elect to commence an action in court against the responsible party or guarantor or to present the claim to the Fund.
(d) Uncompensated damages
If a claim is presented in accordance with this section, including a claim for interim, short-term damages representing less than the full amount of damages to which the claimant ultimately may be entitled, and full and adequate compensation is unavailable, a claim for the uncompensated damages and removal costs may be presented to the Fund.
(e) Procedure for claims against Fund
The President shall promulgate, and may from time to time amend, regulations for the presentation, filing, processing, settlement, and adjudication of claims under this Act against the Fund.