Admiralty Claims Against the U.S. Government: A Complete Guide

If you were injured on or near the water by a federal vessel, military ship, or government maritime operation, your case may fall under a specialized area of law known as Admiralty Claims.

These cases are governed by federal maritime statutes—primarily the Public Vessels Act (PVA) and the Admiralty Extension Act (AEA)—which together allow sailors, contractors, and civilians to seek compensation from the United States for maritime-related injuries and property damage.

At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), our attorneys are former military, federal, and agency counsel who’ve handled government liability from the inside. We know the procedural traps, jurisdictional rules, and strategic steps needed to win Admiralty Claims against the U.S. government—and to maximize your recovery under these complex laws.

What Are Admiralty Claims?

Admiralty claims (sometimes called maritime tort claims) arise from accidents or negligence involving federal ships or operations on navigable waters.
They are the maritime equivalent of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), but with distinct rules and procedures rooted in centuries of maritime law.

Admiralty jurisdiction covers cases involving:

• U.S. Navy or Coast Guard vessels

• Civilian federal ships operated by agencies (like NOAA or the Army Corps of Engineers)

• Government-owned docks, piers, and shipyards

• Federal maritime operations, including cargo, dredging, and harbor maintenance

The Two Main Laws: Public Vessels Act (PVA) and Admiralty Extension Act (AEA)

1. Public Vessels Act (46 U.S.C. §§ 31101–31113)

The Public Vessels Act allows people to sue the U.S. for injuries, property damage, or death caused by a public vessel—any ship owned or operated by the federal government.

It covers:

• Negligence aboard Navy, Coast Guard, or government-owned ships

• Injuries to crew members, passengers, contractors, or harbor workers

• Damage to private vessels or docks caused by government ships

• Death or injury due to negligent navigation or maintenance

2. Admiralty Extension Act (46 U.S.C. § 30101)

The Admiralty Extension Act expands jurisdiction to include injuries on land caused by a government vessel.

For example:

• A Navy ship strikes a pier, injuring dock workers

• A Coast Guard cutter’s wake damages nearby boats

• A cargo crane attached to a federal vessel malfunctions, injuring workers on shore

In these cases, the injury happens “on land,” but the negligence originates on navigable water, making it an Admiralty Claim.

Who Can File an Admiralty Claim?

You can file an Admiralty Claim if you were injured or suffered property damage due to the negligence of a federal vessel or crew. This includes:

• Sailors and civilian mariners

• Shipyard contractors and longshore workers

• Dock and pier workers

• Passengers, visitors, or harbor personnel

• Businesses or vessel owners whose property was damaged

Active-duty service members injured in the line of duty are usually barred by the Feres Doctrine, but dependents, civilians, and contractors may qualify.

Common Examples of Admiralty Claims

Admiralty claims cover a wide range of maritime-related incidents, including:

• Injury aboard a Navy or Coast Guard ship due to unsafe conditions or crew negligence

• Civilian contractor injured while repairing a government vessel

• Damage to private boats or docks caused by a government vessel’s collision

• Slip-and-fall accidents on federal docks or piers

• Injury from shipboard equipment or defective government machinery

• Fatal maritime accidents involving federal dredging or salvage operations

• Environmental contamination or property loss caused by U.S. vessels

How Admiralty Claims Differ from FTCA and MCA Claims

In short:

• FTCA = Land-based federal negligence

• MCA = Military negligence overseas

• Admiralty = Maritime negligence by government vessels

How to File an Admiralty Claim

Filing a maritime claim against the U.S. government is a highly technical process. Here’s a step-by-step overview:

1. Determine Which Law Applies

Your attorney will analyze whether your case falls under the Public Vessels Act, Admiralty Extension Act, or another maritime statute.

2. File the Administrative Claim

Before suing, you must first file an administrative claim with the appropriate agency—usually within two years of the incident.

Agencies that process Admiralty Claims include:

• Navy Claims Office (Office of the Judge Advocate General, Admiralty and Maritime Law Division, Code 15)

• Coast Guard Legal Office (CG-LMJ)

• Army Corps of Engineers (for harbor, dredging, or dam incidents)

• Department of Transportation (MARAD) for merchant marine issues

Your claim must include:

• A detailed explanation of what happened

• Evidence of negligence or unsafe conditions

• Proof of damages and expenses

• The total “sum certain” (specific dollar amount you’re seeking)

3. Wait for Investigation

The agency has six months to investigate and respond. If it denies or fails to act, you may file a lawsuit in federal district court under the Suits in Admiralty Act or Public Vessels Act.

4. File Suit in Federal Court

If necessary, your attorney will file in U.S. District Court.
There are no jury trials in Admiralty cases — a federal judge decides the case after reviewing evidence and testimony.

What Damages Can Be Recovered?

Admiralty claimants can recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)

• Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

• Property damage

• Pain and suffering

• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Punitive damages are not available, but courts can award substantial compensatory damages when negligence is proven.

Statute of Limitations for Admiralty Claims

The statute of limitations is two years from the date of the incident (or discovery of injury).
For property claims, it’s typically two years from when the damage occurred.

Because maritime cases often involve federal and foreign jurisdictions, timing and jurisdiction are critical. A single filing error can permanently bar recovery.

Why Admiralty Cases Are So Complex

Admiralty law blends federal tort law, international maritime law, and military procedure.
Cases often involve overlapping jurisdiction between:

• The Department of the Navy

• The Coast Guard

• The Army Corps of Engineers

• Civilian contractors and private maritime operators

They may also involve foreign port regulations, international treaties, and Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs) if injuries occur abroad.

That’s why civilian maritime lawyers who don’t understand federal litigation procedures often get blindsided by government defenses—and why NSLF’s insider background gives clients a decisive edge.

How National Security Law Firm Handles Admiralty Claims

Our attorneys treat every case like a mission—precise, strategic, and relentless.

Here’s how we approach Admiralty and maritime injury cases against the U.S. government:

1. Jurisdictional Analysis – Determine which statute (FTCA, PVA, or AEA) provides the strongest path.

2. Evidence Collection via FOIA – Led by Matt Pollack, one of the nation’s top FOIA attorneys, we obtain ship logs, maintenance records, communications, and safety reports the government won’t release voluntarily.

3. Expert Collaboration – We bring in maritime engineers, naval architects, and medical experts to prove negligence and quantify damages.

4. Strategic Filing and Advocacy – We prepare claims with airtight documentation and litigation-ready arguments to force the government to settle fairly—or face trial.

5. Maximizing Compensation – Our mission is always the same: to maximize your settlement or judgment and ensure accountability.

Why Choose National Security Law Firm

• ⭐ 4.9-Star Google Reviews

• ⚓ Former military and federal attorneys with direct Admiralty experience

• 🧭 FOIA-driven investigations uncover hidden evidence early

• 💼 Nationwide representation with headquarters in Washington, D.C.

• 💰 Transparent pricing and Flexible Financing through Affirm

• 🎯 Veteran-founded, mission-driven, results-focused

National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Let’s Talk.

If you were injured on a Navy or Coast Guard vessel, at a military dockyard, or during a federal maritime operation, you may be entitled to significant compensation under the Public Vessels Act or Admiralty Extension Act.

Our attorneys will review your case for free, explain which law applies, and develop a customized strategy to recover everything you’re owed.

📞 Call 202-600-4996 or Book a Consultation Now.

Learn More About FTCA, MCA, and Admiralty Claims

For detailed guides, case examples, and insider strategies, visit our FTCA Resource Center — the most comprehensive online resource for federal negligence, military, and maritime claims.

National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.