Civil/General Law Flashcards
Who has the SECAF delegated the ultimate/final authority over Art 138 complaints?
HQ USAF/JAA
What is the complaint process for an Art 138 complaint?
1) Initial application to CC
2) CC’s review
3) CC notifies member
4) Member makes a formal 138 complaint
5) GCMCA’s review
6) GCMCA notifies member and forwards to JAA
7) SECAF review completed by JAA.
What types of claims can be filed on the AFCSC website?
HHG claims:
- Hold Baggage
- Shipped motorcycles/vehicles
- Vehicle storage
Non-HHG Claims:
- Disaster
- Food spoilage
- Thefts
- Vandalism
What are the items to remember on the AFCSC website?
- Left side screen buttons (home, FAQ, contact info, continue existing claim, other services claims websites)
- File HHG claims
- File non-HHG claims
- Key dates to remember when filing claims
What statue covers the FTCA?
28 U.S.C. § 1346(b), 2671-2680
What statue covers the MCA?
10 U.S.C. § 2733
What regulation covers administrative claims?
32 CFR Part 842
What is a tort?
When a party causes personal injury/damage to another.
What is a civil wrong?
A negligent or wrongful act or omission of an act.
What are the elements of a tort?
1) Whether someone had a duty to do/not to do something
2) If someone breached or violated that duty
3) Breach was proximate cause of that damage or injury
What are the statutory requirements of FTCA?
State law takes precedent in substantiating the claim.
Federal law takes precedent for the two year statute of limitations and the filing of the claim before suing.
What are examples of proper & improper claimants under FTCA?
Owners of property that was damaged, injured persons, executors of diseased or persons who have been given that power.
Improper claimants are anyone who isn’t a proper claimant.
What is the statute of limitations under FTCA?
Two years from date of incident or when the person should have reasonably known.
What are the elements of FTCA that must be met in order for a claim to be payable under the act?
1) Injury to person or property
2) Due to negligence or wrongful act or omission
3) Employee of the US gov (military/civil svc/NAFI employees)
4) Employee was acting within the scope of the employment
5) USG is treated as a private person and adopts that same liability
Which topics are defined by state law under FTCA?
- Damage limitation
- All defenses available to private person
- Cause of action (tort elements)
- Scope of employment
What is the feres doctrine?
Military member’s family member cannot sue the military for damage/injury/death incident to service.
What are the statutory requirements of the MCA?
State law applies where the incident or accident occurs
What is a proper claimant under the MCA?
Proper claimants: citizens or inhabitants of the U.S., federal civilians, non-citizens of the US if it happened in the U.S., state counties, political subdivision.
Improper claimants: govt’s of foreign nations, inhabitants of foreign countries.
What types of damage/injuries/incidents would be considered a noncombat activity under MCA?
Anything that is military in nature and it must only have a causal connection.
What are the important steps to follow when preparing/conducting a witness interview?
- Review witness/case info
- Face-to-face, telephone, or VTC
- Identify your role as a rep of the AF
- Take careful notes
- Don’t record
- Report criminal conduct to JACC if discovered.
- Do not conduct the witness interview alone
What must every witness interview memorandum begin with?
A work product statement.
What offices can provide reports/info that can assist with claims?
- SFS
- Transportation Office (LRS)
- CES
- Flight Operations
- Commissary and AAFES
What is the purpose of a potential claim file?
To preserve evidence, maintain claimant information, and maintain continuity.
When should you prepare a potential claim file?
When a major accident, natural disaster (hurricanes), or military activity occurs where there may be potential claimants as a result of the damages.
For 5 or more claimants, prepare a master claims file.
T/F: Regardless of the type of claim, if the incident resulting in a claim occurs overseas it will be processed under MCA.
True.
What three important items to remember when processing a tort claim?
- Agency has six months to process/consider
- SJA can process claims $25k and under
- Forward all claims over settlement authority to JACC w/in 72 & file in WEBAFCIMS.
T/F: If an agency has not responded to a claimant regarding their claim it is considered approved.
False, it is considered denied.
What claims are always transferred to JACC?
- Medical/legal Malpractice
- Personal Injury
- Government Contractor
- Injury or Death
- Admiralty Claims
- Civil Air Patrol
What do you provide to the claimant if you believe payment is appropriate?
A settlement offer and agreement
What are the requirements for a denial letter of a claim?
- Title and legal citation of statute in letter
- Photocopy of letter
- Sent via certified/registered w/ return receipt requested
What organization pays out claims for amounts greater than $2500 under FTCA?
The judgement fund U.S. treasury.
Which organization pays out claims for amounts less then $2500 under FTCA & MCA?
AFCSC via AF 1034
T/F: The date that a denial letter is mailed should be the same as the date on the letter.
True.
If a claim was denied under FTCA, what info must be included in a demand letter?
- “This is the final denial of your claim”
- Can file suit in district court w/in 6 mo of date letter was mailed
If a claim was denied under MCA, what info must be included in the demand letter?
- “This is the final denial of your claim”
- Can appeal within 60 days of date letter was mailed
T/F: Appeals for claims are sent back to the authority who denied the claim.
True.
What statute allows us to file g-claims?
31 U.S.C. 3711
What are g-claims typically filed for?
Damage to US gov’t/NAFI property caused by a negligent or wrongful act.
What is the statute of limitations for g-claims?
3 years from the date the gov’t knew or should have known property was damaged.
What law is used to evaluate liability for g-claims?
The state law of where the incident occurred.
What is used to assert a g-claim?
A Notice of Claim Memo with a statutory right under the federal collections act.
Sent via certified mail, return receipt/requested.
If someone doesn’t reply to a notice of claim memo, what do you do?
Send them a 60 day due process letter, forward the letter to JACC, and transfer the claim to JACC in WEBAFCIMS.
Where is the money from g-claims deposited?
U.S. Treasury Miscellaneous Receipts Account using DD 1131
Can a g-claim be terminated?
Yes if the evidence doesn’t substantiate the claim or if the claim is without merit.
Who can compromise on a settlement of a g-claim?
SJA if they are the settlement authority or JACC if they are the settlement authority.
What is the purpose of an AIB?
To provide a publicly releasable report of the facts/circumstances surrounding the accident with statement of opinion.
Which accidents require an AIB?
On-duty Class A accidents involving aerospace assets or anything w/ high public interest.
What is the composition of an AIB?
- President
- Legal Advisor
- Recorder
(optional)
- Maintenance Member
- Medical member
- Pilot member
Who is typically a President on an AIB?
- Must come from outside mishap wing
- FGO or GO
- Fatality requires GO or GO select
- Completed AFSEC Board President Course