---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 53911"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "53911"
heading: "Civil actions for losses"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/53911"
units:
  - "Subtitle V — Merchant Marine"
  - "Part C — Financial Assistance Programs"
  - "Chapter 539 — War Risk Insurance"
---

# §53911. Civil actions for losses

- (a) **In General.—** If there is a disagreement about a loss insured under this chapter, a civil action in admiralty may be brought against the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) in the district court of the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) for the district in which the plaintiff or the plaintiff’s agent resides. If the plaintiff has no residence in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10), the action may be brought in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) District Court for the District of Columbia or in the district court for any district in which the Attorney General agrees to accept service. Any [person](/usc/46/53101.md?p=6) who may have an interest in the insurance may be made a party, either initially or on the motion of either party.
- (b) **Exclusive Remedy.—** A civil action against the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) under this section is exclusive of any other action by reason of the same subject matter against an officer, employee, or agent employed or retained by the Government under this chapter.
- (c) **Procedure.—** A civil action under this section shall be heard and determined under [chapter 309](/usc/46/chstIII/ch309.md) of this title.
- (d) **Tolling of Limitations Period.—** If a claim is filed with the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) of Transportation, the running of the limitations period for bringing a civil action is suspended until the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) denies the claim, and for 60 days thereafter. The [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) is deemed to have denied the claim if the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) does not act on the claim within 6 months after the claim is filed, unless the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) for good cause shown agrees with the claimant on a different period for the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) to act on the claim.
- (e) **Interpleader.—** If the [Secretary](/usc/46/53101.md?p=8) acknowledges the indebtedness of the Government under the insurance and there is a dispute about the [persons](/usc/46/53101.md?p=6) entitled to receive payment, the Government may bring a civil action interpleading those [persons](/usc/46/53101.md?p=6). The action shall be brought in the [United States](/usc/46/53101.md?p=10) District Court for the District of Columbia or in the district court for the district in which any of those [persons](/usc/46/53101.md?p=6) resides. A [person](/usc/46/53101.md?p=6) not residing or found in the district may be made a party by service in any reasonable manner the court directs. If the court is satisfied that unknown [persons](/usc/46/53101.md?p=6) might make a claim under the insurance, the court may direct service on those unknown [persons](/usc/46/53101.md?p=6) by publication in the Federal Register. Judgment after service by publication in the Federal Register discharges the Government from further liability to all [persons](/usc/46/53101.md?p=6).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1631.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 53911 | 46 App.:1292. | June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title XII, § 1212, as added Sept. 7, 1950, ch. 906, 64 Stat. 776. |