(a) For purposes of this part, a claim shall be deemed to have been presented when the U.S. Postal Service receives from a claimant, his duly authorized agent or legal representative, an executed Standard Form 95, Claim for Damage or Injury, or other written notification of an incident, accompanied by a claim for money damages in a sum certain for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death alleged to have occurred by reason of the incident. A standard Form 95 may be obtained from the local District Tort Claims Coordinator, the National Tort Center, or online at usa.gov (select Government forms).

Terms Used In 39 CFR 912.5

  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.

(b) A claim presented in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section may be amended by the claimant at any time prior to:

(1) The claimant’s exercise of the option to file a civil action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2675(a);

(2) The Postal Service’s issuance of a payment in the full amount of the claim; or

(3) The Postal Service’s issuance of a written denial of the claim in accordance with § 912.9.

(c) Amendments shall be submitted in writing and signed by the claimant or his duly authorized agent or legal representative. Upon the timely filing of an amendment to a pending claim, the Postal Service shall have six months in which to make final disposition of the claim as amended, and the claimant’s option under 28 U.S.C. § 2675(a) shall not accrue until six months after the filing of an amendment.

[36 FR 12448, June 30, 1971, as amended at 45 FR 43720, June 30, 1980; 69 FR 52607, Aug. 27, 2004; 73 FR 75339, Dec. 11, 2008]