Pro-Government claims Published Oct. 23, 2015 By Master Sgt. Nikkole Sheehan 87 ABW/JA JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The Federal Claims Collection Act (37 U.S.C. §3711) allows the government to recover the cost for the loss or damage to government property. This means that any damage or loss to property owned by the government can be claimed against the person who caused the loss or damage, the tortfeasor. Property covered includes, but is not limited to: vehicles; infrastructure such as gates or barriers; buildings or other real property; and equipment. Property that is not owned by the government, such as a GSA-leased vehicle, is not covered under the Act. If a unit sustains loss or damage to its property, they should notify the Legal Office as soon as feasible in order to maximize recovery options. While the government can assert claims up to three years from the incident date, the money recovered is typically not reimbursed to the unit or base. With timely notification and processing, the government, through the Legal Office, can direct the tortfeasor to pay the repair company directly, resulting in zero out of pocket expense to the unit and/or base. If the money must be repaid directly to the government, then in all but a few outlier instances, it is deposited into the US Treasury Miscellaneous Receipts Account and not available to the unit/base that sustained the damage. If the tortfeasor is a government employee and a Report of Survey is not mandatory this Act allows for recovery from the employee's insurance in lieu of a Report of Survey. If your unit has sustained loss/damage to government property that has not been recovered in the last three years, contact our office, 87 ABW/JA at 609-754-2010, to discuss recovery options.