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Claims Branch (LSC-5)

(757) 628-4212

The Claims Branch is responsible for the administrative settlement of claims, other than contract claims, against the United States arising from Coast Guard operations. The procedures for filing a claim vary depending on the type of claim, and the location where the claim arose. For general information on requirements and procedures for submitting administrative claims against the Coast Guard, consult Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25, Subpart A.

The following is a brief description of various potential claims:

  1. Federal Tort Claims - A claim against the United States for death, personal injury, or property damage where the claim arises from the negligent or wrongful act or omission of a military member or civilian employee of the Coast Guard acting within the scope of employment under circumstances in which the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred. For further information, consult Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25, Subpart C. A federal tort claim must be presented using a Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death.


  2. Admiralty Claims - A claim against the United States for death, personal injury, or property damage caused by a vessel in the service of the Coast Guard, or the result of a maritime tort committed by an agent of the Coast Guard. For further information, consult Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25, Subpart B. An admiralty claim should be presented using a Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death. It should be noted that the statements on the form (Standard Form 95) which refer to time limits for submitting claims and filing lawsuits do not necessarily apply to admiralty claims.


  3. Military Claims - A claim against the United States for death, personal injury, or property damage caused by a military member or civilian employee of the Coast Guard acting within the scope of employment, or otherwise incident to the non-combat activities of the Coast Guard. For further information, consult Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25, Subpart D.
    A military claim should be presented using a Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death.


  4. Foreign Claims - A claim against the United States by a foreign country or a political subdivision or inhabitant, thereof for death, personal injury, or property damage occurring outside the United States, its territories, commonwealths or possessions caused by a military member or civilian employee of the Coast Guard acting within the scope of employment, or otherwise incident to the non-combat activities of the Coast Guard. For further information, consult Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25, Subpart E. A foreign claim should be presented using a Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death.


  5. Claims Not Cognizable Under Other Law - A claim against the United States for death, personal injury, or property damage caused by a military member or a civilian employee of the Coast Guard incident to the use of a government vehicle anywhere or incident to the use of any other government property on a government installation. For further information, consult Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 25, Subpart F. A claim not cognizable under other law should be presented using a Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage, Injury, or Death.


  6. Auxiliary Claims - A claim by a Coast Guard Auxiliary member who has sustained damage to an Auxiliary facility and/or related equipment while assigned to Coast Guard duty. MLCLANTINST M5890.3 (series) contains instructions and forms for submitting an Auxiliary claim.

    7. Claims which arise from Coast Guard operations within Pacific Area should be sent to:

    Commanding Officer (LSC-5W)
    U. S. Coast Guard
    Legal Service Command Alameda
    Bldg. 54C Coast Guard Island
    Alameda, CA 94501-5100

    The Coast Guard Pacific Area is roughly comprised of the continental United States west of the Rocky Mountains, along with Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. possessions in the Pacific.

    Claims which arise from Coast Guard operations within the Pacific Area should be sent to:

    Commanding Officer (LSC-5W)
    U. S. Coast Guard
    Legal Service Command Alameda
    Bldg. 54C, Coast Guard Island
    Alameda, CA 94501-5100

    The Coast Guard Pacific Area is roughly comprised of the continental United States west of the Rocky Mountains, along with Hawaii, Alaska, and U.S. possessions in the Pacific.

  7. Personnel Claims - For Coast Guard members and employees, whose personal property is damaged, lost or destroyed incident to service. Special rules and procedures apply. The instructions for submitting a personal claim may be found in chapter 6 of the Coast Guard Claims and Litigation Manual, COMDTINST M5890.9. All personnel claims should be submitted via the chain of command to the Legal Service Command (LSC-5E) except:
      If the damage arises from shipment of household goods, mobile homes, privately owned vehicles, or unaccompanied baggage under permanent change of station orders, or any other orders for which the United States provides a carrier or contractor to move the personal property of the claimant, please visit the link for the USCG Finance Center at http://www.fincen.uscg.mil/hhg.htm for guidance.
HHGDS Claims and Carrier Recoveries
Coast Guard Finance Center
P.O. Box 4121
Chesapeake, Virginia 23327-4121
(757) 366-6504

Claims filed under each of the above statutes, except as noted, should be submitted to the Legal Service Command (LCS-5E) at:

Commanding officer (LSC-5E)
Legal Service Command Norfolk
300 East Main Street, Suite 400
Norfolk, VA 23510-9100
(757) 628-4212



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Last Modified 3/27/2012