Claims Against NASA or Its Employees for Damage to or Loss of Property or Personal Injury or Death—Accruing On or After January 18, 1967

14 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart 1261.3
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

14 C.F.R. § 1261.300 Scope of subpart.

This subpart sets forth the procedures for: (a) The submission of, and action by NASA upon, claims against the United States arising out of the activities of NASA for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or death, and designates the NASA officials authorized to act upon such claims. (b) The handling of lawsuits against NASA employee(s) for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or death resulting from a NASA employee's activities within the scope of his/her office or employment.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.301 Authority.

(a) Under the provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended (see 28 U.S.C. 2671-2680), and subject to its limitations, the Administrator or designee is authorized to consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, compromise, and settle any claim for money damages against the United States for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of any NASA employee while acting within the scope of his/her office or employment, under circumstances where 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. In exercising such authority, the Administrator or designee is required to act in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Attorney General (28 CFR part 14). An award, compromise, or settlement in excess of $25,000 may be effected only with the prior written approval of the Attorney General or designee. (b) Under 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(1), NASA is authorized to consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, settle, and pay, on behalf of the United States, in full satisfaction thereof, any claim for $25,000 or less against the United States for bodily injury, death, or damage to or loss of real or personal property resulting from the conduct of NASA's functions as specified in 51 U.S.C. 20112. At the discretion of NASA, a claim may be settled and paid under this authority even though the United States could not be held legally liable to the claimant. (c) Under 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(2), if NASA considers that a claim in excess of $25,000 is meritorious and would otherwise be covered by 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(1), NASA may report the facts and circumstances of the claim to the Congress for its consideration or to the Comptroller General as provided in the “Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1978,” Public Law 95-240 (92 Stat. 107), 31 U.S.C. 724a. (d) Under 28 U.S.C. 2679, the Attorney General of the United States shall defend any civil action or proceeding brought in any court against a Government employee for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death, resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle by the Government employee while acting within the scope of office or employment. In effect, this legislation is designed to protect an employee driving a motor vehicle on Government business by converting such a civil court action or proceeding against the employee into a claim against the United States: Provided, That the employee was acting within the scope of employment at the time of the accident. The remedy against the United States provided by 28 U.S.C. 2672 (administrative adjustment of claims) and 28 U.S.C. 1346(b) (civil action against the United States) then becomes the plaintiff's exclusive remedy.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.302 Claim.

Unless the context otherwise requires, claim means a claim for money damages against the United States arising out of the activities of NASA, for injury or loss of property, or personal injury or death. A claim “arises” at the place where the injury, loss, or death occurs.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.303 Claimant.

(a) A claim for damage to or loss of property may be presented by the owner of the property, duly authorized agent or legal representative. (b) A claim for personal injury may be presented by the injured person, duly authorized agent, or legal representative. (c) A claim based on death may be presented by the executor(rix) or administrator(rix) of the decedent's estate, or by any other person legally entitled to assert such a claim in accordance with applicable State law. (d) A claim for loss wholly compensated by an insurer with the rights of a subrogee may be presented by the insurer. A claim for loss partially compensated by an insurer with the rights of a subrogee may be presented by the parties individually as their respective interests appear, or jointly. (e) A claim presented by an agent or legal representative shall be presented in the name of the claimant, be signed by the agent or legal representative, show the title or legal capacity of the person signing and be accompanied by evidence of the agent's or legal representative's authority to present a claim on behalf of the claimant as agent, executor(rix), administrator (rix), parent, guardian, or other representative.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.304 Place of filing claim.

A claim arising in the United States should be submitted to the Chief Counsel of the NASA installation whose activities are believed to have given rise to the claimed injury, loss, or death. If the identity of such installation is not known, or if the claim arose in a foreign country, the claim should be submitted to the General Counsel, Headquarters, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.305 Form of claim.

(a) The official designated in § 1261.308 shall, prior to acting on a claim, require the claimant to submit a completed Standard Form 95—“Claim for Damage, Injury or Death.” (b) NASA installations will furnish copies of Standard Form 95 upon request.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.306 Evidence and information required.

(a) The circumstances alleged to have given rise to the claim, and the amount claimed, should, so far as possible, be substantiated by competent evidence. Supporting statements, estimates, and the like should, if possible, be obtained from disinterested parties. For specific guidance as to Federal Tort Claims Act claims, see Department of Justice regulations on “Administrative Claims under Federal Tort Claims Act” at 28 CFR part 14. (b) In addition to the evidence and information required under paragraph (a), any claimant shall be required to submit information as to the amount of money or other property received as damages or compensation, or which the claimant may be entitled to receive, by reason of the claimed injury, loss, or death from persons other than NASA or NASA employees. (Such persons include, but are not limited to, insurers, employers, and persons whose conduct was a cause of the accident or incident.) (c) Any document in other than the English language should be accompanied by an English translation.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.307 Time limitations.

(a) A claim may not be acted upon pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act unless it is presented to NASA within 2 years after it accrued. (b) A claim may not be acted upon pursuant to 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(1) or (2) unless it is presented to NASA within two years after the occurrence of the accident or incident out of which the claim arose. (c) A claim shall be deemed to have been presented to NASA when NASA receives from a claimant or duly authorized agent or legal representative an executed Standard Form 95 or other written notification of an incident or accident, accompanied by a claim in a sum certain.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.308 NASA officials authorized to act upon claims.

(a) Claims in the amount of $10,000 or more will be acted upon as directed by the General Counsel; (b) Claims less than $10,000 will be acted upon by the Chief Counsel of the NASA Field Installation where the employee was assigned at the time of the loss or damage or the Assistant General Counsel for Litigation for NASA Headquarters claims. (c) Claims of $10,000 or more, pursuant either to the Federal Tort Claims Act, or 51 U.S.C. 20113(m), shall be acted upon only with the prior approval of the General Counsel. Such claims shall be forwarded to the General Counsel for approval, if the Chief Counsel or the Associate General Counsel for General Law is of the opinion that the claim may be meritorious and otherwise suitable for settlement under any authority. A claim so forwarded should be accompanied by a report of the facts of the claim, based upon such investigation as may be appropriate, and a recommendation as to the action to be taken. (d) Claims acted upon by NASA officials pursuant to this section shall be acted upon pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, or 51 U.S.C. 20113(m)(1) or (2), as the NASA official deems appropriate.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.309 Action under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

Where a claim is to be acted upon pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act, action shall be taken in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 2672, other provisions of the Federal Tort Claims Act as may be applicable (e.g., 28 U.S.C. 2680), and regulations prescribed by the Attorney General which appear at 28 CFR part 14.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.310 Investigation of claims.

The officials designated in § 1261.308 shall conduct such investigation of a claim as deemed appropriate. The officials may request any NASA office or other Federal agency to assist in the investigation.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.311 Claims requiring Department of Justice approval or consultation.

(a) When in the opinion of the NASA official designated in § 1261.308, Department of Justice approval or consultation may be required, pursuant to 28 CFR part 14, in connection with a claim being acted upon under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the following papers shall be forwarded to the General Counsel: (1) A short and concise statement of the facts of the claim. (2) Copies of all relevant portions of the claim file. (3) A statement of the recommendations or views of the forwarding official. (b) A claim forwarded to the General Counsel in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, or upon which the General Counsel is acting pursuant to § 1261.308(c), shall be referred to the Department of Justice when, in the opinion of the General Counsel, Department of Justice approval or consultation is required or may be appropriate.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.312 Action on approved claims.

(a) Upon settlement of a claim, the official designated in § 1261.308 will prepare and have executed by the claimant a Voucher for Payment of Tort Claims (NASA Form 616) if the claim has been acted upon pursuant to 51 U.S.C. 20113(m), or a Voucher for Payment under Federal Tort Claims Act (Standard Form 1145) if the claim has been acted upon pursuant to the Federal Tort Claims Act. The form will then be referred to the cognizant NASA installation fiscal or financial management office for appropriate action. (b) When a claimant is represented by an attorney, both the claimant and attorney will be designated as “payees” on the voucher, and the check will be delivered to the attorney whose address shall appear on the voucher. (c) Acceptance by the claimant, agent, or legal representative, of any award, compromise, or settlement made pursuant to this subpart shall be final and conclusive on the claimant, agent or legal representative and any other person on whose behalf or for whose benefit the claim has been presented, and shall constitute a complete release of any claim against the United States and against any employee of the Government whose act or omission gave rise to the claim, by reason of the same subject matter.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.313 Required notification in the event of denial.

Final denial of a claim shall be in writing and shall be sent to the claimant, the attorney, or legal representative by certified or registered mail. The notification of final denial may include a statement of the reasons for the denial and shall include a statement that if the claimant is dissatisfied with NASA's action, the claimant may file suit in an appropriate U.S. District Court not later than 6 months after the date of mailing the notification.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.315 Procedures for the handling of lawsuits against NASA employees arising within the scope of their office or employment.

The following procedures shall be followed in the event that a civil action or proceeding is brought, in any court, against any employee of NASA (or against the estate) for injury or loss of property or personal injury or death, resulting from the NASA employee's activities while acting within the scope of office or employment: (a) After being served with process or pleadings in such an action or proceeding, the employee (or the executor(rix) or administrator(rix) of the estate) shall immediately deliver all such process and pleadings or an attested true copy thereof, together with a fully detailed report of the circumstances of the accident giving rise to the court action or proceeding, to the following officials: (1) The Assistant General Counsel for Litigation insofar as actions or proceedings against employees of NASA Headquarters are concerned; or (2) The Chief Counsel of the NASA Installation at which the employee is employed, insofar as actions against other than NASA Headquarters employees are concerned. (b) Upon receipt of such process and pleadings, the Associate General Counsel for General Law or the Chief Counsel of the NASA installation receiving the same shall furnish to the U.S. Attorney for the district embracing the place where the action or proceeding is brought and, if appropriate, the Director, Torts Branch, Civil Division, Department of Justice, the following: (1) Copies of all such process and pleadings in the action or proceeding promptly upon receipt thereof; and (2) A report containing a statement of the circumstances of the incident giving rise to the action or proceeding, and all data bearing upon the question of whether the employee was acting within the scope of office or employment with NASA at the time of the incident, at the earliest possible date, or within such time as shall be fixed by the U.S. Attorney upon request. (c) The Associate General Counsel for General Law or a Chief Counsel acting pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section shall submit the following documents to the General Counsel, who is hereby designated to receive such documents on behalf of the Administrator: (1) Copies of all process and pleadings submitted to a U.S. Attorney in accordance with paragraph (b). (2) In addition, where the action or proceeding is for damages in excess of $25,000, or where (in the opinion of the Chief Counsel) such action or proceeding involves a new precedent, a new point of law, or a question of policy, copies of reports and all other papers submitted to the U.S. Attorney.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.316 Policy.

(a) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration may indemnify a present or former NASA employee, who is personally named as a defendant in any civil suit in state or Federal court, or in an arbitration proceeding or other proceeding seeking damages against that employee personally, for any verdict, judgment, appeal bond, or other monetary award which is rendered against such employee, provided that the conduct giving rise to the verdict, judgment, appeal bond, or award was taken within the scope of his or her employment and that such indemnification is in the interest of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as determined by the Administration or designee. (b) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration may settle or compromise a personal damage claim against a present or former NASA employee by the payment of available funds, at any time, provided the alleged conduct giving rise to the personal damage claim was taken within the employee's scope of employment and that such settlement or compromise is in the interest of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, as determined by the Administrator or designee. (c) Absent exceptional circumstances as determined by the Administrator or designee, the agency will not entertain a request either to agree to indemnify or to settle a personal damage claim before entry of an adverse verdict, judgment, or award. (d) A present or past NASA employee may request indemnification to satisfy a verdict, judgment, or award entered against that employee. The employee shall submit a written request, with appropriate documentation including copies of the verdict, judgment, appeal bond, award, or settlement proposal to the General Counsel, who shall make a recommended disposition of the request. Where appropriate, the agency shall seek the views of the Department of Justice. The General Counsel shall forward the request, the accompanying documentation, and the General Counsel's recommendation to the Administrator for decision. (e) Any payment under this section either to indemnify a National Aeronautics and Space Administration employee or to settle a personal damage claim shall be contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

14 C.F.R. § 1261.317 Attorney-client privilege.

(a) Attorneys employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration participate in the process utilized for the purpose of determining whether the agency should request the Department of Justice to provide representation to a present or former agency employee sued, subpoenaed, or charged in his/her individual capacity, and attorneys employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration provide assistance in obtaining representation of such an agency employee. In these roles, agency attorneys undertake a full and traditional attorney-client relationship with the employee with respect to application of the attorney-client privilege. If representation is authorized, National Aeronautics and Space Administration attorneys who assist in the representation of a present or former employee also undertake a full and traditional attorney-client relationship with that employee with respect to the attorney-client privilege. (b) Any adverse information communicated by the client-employee to an Agency attorney during the course of such attorney-client relationship shall not be disclosed to anyone, either inside or outside NASA, other than attorneys responsible for representation of the employee, unless such disclosure is authorized by the employee. Such adverse information shall continue to be fully protected whether or not representation is provided and even though representation may be denied or discontinued.

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