Block V - Claims Flashcards
What is AFI 51-306?
Administrative Claims for and Against the Air Force
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Adjudication
Applying specific standards and/or procedures to determine the amount payable on a claim if any
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Advance Payment
Payment is made in advance of the final settlement of a claim.
Only applies to certain claims
If an advance payment is made and the claim is later denied or is less than what was provided who recoups the funds?
The SJA
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
WebAFCIMS
Web-based Armed Forces Claims Information Management System
Software program that allows claims offices to adjudicate claims electronically.
Also collects data and provides monthly reports to enable legal offices to brief CCs at all levels
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Appeal
A request by the claimant to reevaluate their claim
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Authority to execute a claim
If someone other than the proper claimant presents a claim, evidence authorizing this action must be included in the claim file.
This evidence may be in the form of a POA, court order, or other legal documents
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Authorized agent
Any person or corporation, including a legal representative, with authority to act on a claimant’s behalf. (family member, friend or attorney)
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Civilian personnel
Civilian employee of the US government who is paid from appropriated or non-appropriated funds.
Civ employees include volunteer workers but does not include contractors or their employees
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Civilian personnel
Civilian employee of the US government who is paid from appropriated or non-appropriated funds.
Civ employees include volunteer workers but does not include contractors or their employees
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Claim
Any signed, written demand made upon or by the Air Force (AF) for the payment of a specific sum
Does not include any obligations that the AF acquires in the regular procurement of services, supplies, equip, or real estate
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Proximate cause
The dominant or primary cause of an injury or loss
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Claimant
An individual, partnership, association, corporation, country, state, or territory that files a claim
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Final denial
The last admin decision to deny a claim
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Geographic area of claim responsibility
The territorial area that an SJA has responsibility for in the event a claim arises.
Referred to as jurisdiction or AOR
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Settle
To pay or deny a claim, in full or in part
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Settlement authority
Any person authorized to settle a claim
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Statute of limitations
Sets a max time period during which specific actions can be brought or rights enforced
Recognize terminology used within the claims area of legal practice (W)
In regards to Claims Administration what does the following term mean?
Tort
`A civil wrong in which one party causes personal injury or property damage to another and may be liable in damages. Some elements must be met for a tort, which are:
the duty to do or not to do a certain act;
a breach or violation of that duty occurred;
that breach or violation of duty caused property damage, personal injury or death
Identify basic facts about the claims organizational structure and the responsibilities at the Air Staff, MAJCOM, NAF, and base legal offices (W)
What are the TJAGs responsibilities regarding claims?
Developing claims policies and procedures
Directing the training of legal personnel on claims policies and procedures
Ensuring legal offices and personnel have resources to est and administer a AF claims program.
Identify basic facts about the claims organizational structure and the responsibilities at the Air Staff, MAJCOM, NAF, and base legal offices (W)
What are the responsibilities regarding claims for JACC?
Overseeing and providing authoritative guidance on processing claims
Conducting claims training
Coord w/ Dept of Justice, DoD, and other gov agencies on claims
Denying claims against the AF, regardless of amount
Referring Pro-Gov claims that are not settled by payment to Dept of Treasury for administrative offset
Recommending settlement of tort claims above an SJA’s delegated authority
Investigating and taking final action on tort claims not assigned to installation SJAs
Ensuring all potential MCRP claims are investigated, researched, and vigorously pursued until collected or resolved
Managing WebAFCIMS
Identify basic facts about the claims organizational structure and the responsibilities at the Air Staff, MAJCOM, NAF, and base legal offices (W)
What is the AF Claims Service Center (CSC) responsible for regarding claims?
adjudicating personal transportation and personal property claims.
Identify basic facts about the claims organizational structure and the responsibilities at the Air Staff, MAJCOM, NAF, and base legal offices (W)
What are MAJCOM and NAF SJAs responsible for regarding claims?
General supervision of claims activities within their command
direct supervision of their subordinate units’ claims activities and those orgs assigned to them for claims purposes
Identify basic facts about the claims organizational structure and the responsibilities at the Air Staff, MAJCOM, NAF, and base legal offices (W)
What does JACE handle in regards to claims?
Environmental claims
Identify basic facts about the claims organizational structure and the responsibilities at the Air Staff, MAJCOM, NAF, and base legal offices (W)
In regards to claims what are the SJA responsibilities?
Maintaining claims prgrm
ID and assert claims against tortfeasors for damage of AF real and personal property that occurs within their AORs
Investigating & taking final action on all tort claims within their AOR
Forwarding all other claims above their settlement authority to JACC
Notifying JACC of incidents having significant potential tort liability or adverse publicity
Conducting investigations into all environmental tort claims within their AOR
Assisting JACC w/ claims investigations
Ensuring claims under Art 139 are processed, investigated and resolved
Identify basic facts about the claims organizational structure and the responsibilities at the Air Staff, MAJCOM, NAF, and base legal offices (W)
In regards to claims, what are legal office claims personnel responsibilities?
Inspect property
interview claimants
investigate
assemble files
maintain all claims records
inputting info and pulling reports from WebAFCIMS
maintaining claims logs
follow file disposition rules IAW AFRIMS
Identify basic facts about the claims organizational structure and the responsibilities at the Air Staff, MAJCOM, NAF, and base legal offices (W)
What are all legal personnel in the office responsible for in regards to claims?
Identifying and providing proper claims forms
assisting clients
ensuring claims forms are correct and completed
performing inspections
performing outreach to local community regarding the claims process
What are some of the best ways to inform AF and DoD personnel about claims information?
Base newspaper
Base bulletin
Newcomers Orientation
Smooth Move briefing
Commander’s Calls
Legal office website or FB
Outline Air Force claims program policies (W)
In regards to Air Force claims prgrm policies, discuss the following
Accepting a claim
Never refuse a claim even if you not it is not payable or complete.
If incomplete, help the claimant fill out the form as much as possible
Outline Air Force claims program policies (W)
In regards to Air Force claims prgrm policies, discuss the following
Investigation
Promptly investigate and gather available evidence for every claim involving the AF that results in death, personal injury, damage to or loss of property.
Start investigation as soon as you are notified
Outline Air Force claims program policies (W)
In regards to Air Force claims prgrm policies, discuss the following
Making promises
Claims personnel will avoid making any promises to claimants, regardless of the situation
Outline Air Force claims program policies (W)
In regards to Air Force claims prgrm policies, discuss the following
Settlement Recommendation
Claims personnel will not disclose any type of information to a claimant indicating the recommendation for disposition of their claim.
Outline Air Force claims program policies (W)
In regards to Air Force claims prgrm policies, discuss the following
Adjudication
Settle anti-government claims as quickly and fairly as possible
Outline Air Force claims program policies (W)
In regards to Air Force claims prgrm policies, discuss the following
Payment
All meritorious claims should be paid in an amount that would return the claimant to the same position before the accident or incident occurred
Outline Air Force claims program policies (W)
In regards to Air Force claims prgrm policies, discuss the following
Collection
The AF will promptly assert claims when a person or entity is liable for loss or damage to the government
If all available collection efforts are made and the liable party is unable or unwilling to pay, refer the claim to JACC
What is a claim?
Any signed, written demand made upon or by the AF for payment of a specific sum
Discuss procedures to determine proper claimants under the various claims acts (W)
Claimant is owner of property, injured person, executor of estate, insurer, or others authorized by law
Status: AD, guard, or reserve mil mbr; family mbr; gov employee; contractor; guests on-base; or a civilian off-base
To determine if proper claimant: consider type of claim the mbr is filing and who has jurisdiction over claim
ask for ID first to determine status
Can other federal agencies file a tort claim against another federal agency?
No
Describe how claims jurisdiction is determined within TJAGC (W)
Did claim occur CONUS or OCONUS?
Did claim occur in countries assign to the Dept of the Army or the Navy? (we still help with those investigations if requested when involving personnel or property owned by or under AF control)
If the claim does belong to the AF, determine which base office is responsible for adjudicating the claim (use jurisdiction map on FLITE KM)
Who sets jurisdiction for stateside locations?
JACC
When must a claim be sent to JACC and within what time frame?
The following must be sent to JACC within 72 hours of receipt
Claims above base SJAs settlement authority ($25k)
Personal injury or medical malpractice
Civil Air Patrol claims or claims involving navigable waterways
If claimant is any of the following: Wg/CC, Wg/CV, JA personnel and their family members
What does tort law seek to accomplish? (p 17)
Compensate injured parties w/ $ to make them whole when they suffer a loss at the hands of another
To deter wrongful conduct by making tortfeasors financially responsible for the loss(es) they cause
What is the most common type of tort?
One that alleges negligence (pg 17)
What questions can we ask when guiding the factual and legal research into the claim?
What legal duty was owed to the claimant by the AF
Did the AF breach that duty
Did that breach cause harm or damages to the claimant?
- Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)*
- Appropriated funds*
Money allotted by Congress for a specific purpose
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Combat activities
Damages resulting from an action by the enemy or by the US armed forces engaged in, or in immediate prep for impending armed conflict
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Comparative negligence
A rule applied by some states, which measures negligence in terms of percentage of liability, and limits each party’s recovery to the percentage caused by the other party (very few states use this)
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Compromise
An agreed settlement to a claim based upon facts, the law, and the application of the law to those facts
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Contributory negligence
When a party presenting a claim contributed to the cause of the accident (negligence), some states prohibit parties from recovering an amount, regardless of their degree of negligence
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Coutnerclaim
When a claim presented against a party, who has already presented a claim
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Debtor
An individual, partnership, association, corporation, or gov body against whom the US has a claim
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Incident to service
denotes losses caused during a GOV shipment of HHG and/or vehicle, losses at quarters, or losses at other authorized places. Losses must be incident to service for it to be payable under MPCECA. However, under both FTCA and MCA it applies differently. If the member is injured or dies incident to service, claims cannot be made under FTCA or MCA
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Law of the situs
The law of the area/ jurisdiction where the claim arises
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Litigation
A contest in a court of justice to enforce a right or seek a remedy
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Negligence
Failure to act as a reasonably prudent person would if under the same or similar circumstances
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Nonappropriated fund (NAF) activity
Activities that appropriated funds do not support.
Bowling alley, recreation center, officer and enlisted clubs.
Claims against NAF activities will not be paid from appropriated funds but rather from the funds of that particular activity or insurer
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Non-combat Activity
Activity other than combat, war, or armed conflict that is particularly military in nature, has little parallel in civilian pursuits and has been historically considered as furnishing the proper basis for a claim
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Personal injury
Applies to both bodily injury and death
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Property damage
Damage to, loss of, or destruction of real or personal property
Match the definition to the appropriate tort law terminology (W)
Property of the US
Any property of, or in the service of, the U.S.