49 U.S.C. § 44309 — Civil actions

(a) Losses. (1) Actions against united states. A person may bring a civil lawsuit against the United States Government, in a U.S. district court or the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, when: (A) a loss insured under this chapter is disputed; or (B) (i) under a contract, that person is subrogated to (stands in the shoes of) an insured party's rights against the Government; and (ii) that person has paid the insured party — with the Secretary of Transportation's approval — for a physical damage loss the Secretary determined this chapter's insurance covers (other than insurance under section 44305(b)). (2) Limitation. No civil action on the same matter (other than the action this subsection authorizes) may be brought against a government agent, officer, or employee carrying out this chapter. And no civil action may be filed against the United States under this chapter unless the claimant first presented the claim to the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary finally denied it in writing, and the denial notice was sent by certified or registered mail. (3) Procedure. As far as it applies, the procedure for actions under section 1346(a)(2) of title 28 applies to actions under this subsection. (b) Venue and Joinder. (1) A civil action under subsection (a) may be filed in the District of Columbia's judicial district, or in the district where the plaintiff or the plaintiff's agent lives, if the plaintiff lives in the United States. If the plaintiff does not live in the United States, the action may be filed in the District of Columbia's district, or wherever the Attorney General agrees to accept service. (2) An interested person may join a civil action brought under subsection (a), either at the start or on either party's later motion. (c) Time Requirements. (1) Except as paragraph (2) provides, an insurance claim under this chapter against the United States is forever barred unless it is presented in writing to the Secretary of Transportation within two years after the loss event. Any lawsuit arising from that claim's denial must be filed within six months after the Secretary mails the final denial notice by certified or registered mail. (2) (A) For claims based on liability to people who have no contract with the insured, an insurance claim under this chapter is forever barred unless presented in writing to the Secretary by the earlier of: (i) 60 days after a competent tribunal enters final judgment; or (ii) six years after the loss event. (B) Any lawsuit arising from that claim's denial must be filed within six months after the Secretary mails the final denial notice by certified or registered mail. (3) A claim under this chapter counts as administratively denied if the Secretary does not finally decide it within 6 months after the claimant presents it — unless the Secretary and claimant agree otherwise for good cause. (d) Interpleader. (1) If the Secretary admits the Government owes money on an insurance claim, but people dispute who should be paid, the Government may bring an interpleader lawsuit in a U.S. district court against everyone who might be entitled to payment. This action may be filed in the District of Columbia's district, or wherever any party lives. (2) The district court may order a party who doesn't live or can't be found in that district to appear, served however the court reasonably decides. If the court thinks an unknown person might have a claim to the insurance at issue, the court may order service by publishing notice in the Federal Register. (3) A judgment in this kind of lawsuit releases the Government from any further liability — both to the parties in the case, and to anyone else served by publication under paragraph (2).