The Office of Counsel provides a broad range of legal services to the District in support of its various missions. The attorneys and support staff represent the Corps' legal position and rights as an organization in such areas as contract law, fiscal law, torts and admiralty claims, environmental law, and personnel law. The goal is to practice preventative law - to be engaged in the planning and design phases of the District's projects to facilitate smooth and effective execution from conception to completion.

Contact:
Seattle District
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Office of Counsel
4735 E. Marginal Way S. Bldg. 1202
Seattle, WA 98134-2388

If you believe that you have suffered either a personal injury or property damage as a result of a negligent act of the Seattle District of the Army Corps of Engineers, you may submit a claim to our office for damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 United States Code Sections 2671 through 2680. The federal government has created a form, the Standard Form (SF) 95, to facilitate the processing of claims.

Under the FTCA, claims may be payable when the injury or damage is caused by negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of military personnel or civilian employees of the Federal Government while acting within the scope of their employment. Liability does not arise merely because the damage or injury occurred on property owned or managed by the Department of Defense or the Federal Government; fault or negligence by the Government or its employees is a prerequisite to Government liability.

Required Information

The following information must be included with the claim in order for the claim to be processed:

• Proof of ownership of the property damaged.
• The date and location at which the alleged negligent act/damage occurred.
• A description of how the damage occurred and why the District is responsible.
• A detailed statement of the amount claimed with respect to each item of damaged property.

Submitting Your Claim

Claims can be submitted to the following:

Office of Counsel
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
4735 E. Marginal Way S. Bldg. 1202
Seattle, WA 98134-2388

Questions To speak with someone regarding a claim, please call (206) 316-3134.

This information paper is intended only to provide general information on claims and procedures for filing claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act. It is not intended to provide legal advice to the recipient, to discourage or encourage the filing of a claim, or to make any suggestion as to whether a claim would be paid by the Government.