[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 33, Volume 2]
[Revised as of July 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 33CFR136.115]

[Page 72-73]
 
                TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
 
   CHAPTER I--COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 136--OIL SPILL LIABILITY TRUST FUND; CLAIMS PROCEDURES; DESIGNATION 
OF SOURCE; AND ADVERTISEMENT--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart B--General Procedure
 
Sec. 136.115  Settlement and notice to claimant.

    (a) Payment in full, or acceptance by the claimant of an offer of 
settlement by the Fund, is final and conclusive for all purposes and, 
upon payment, constitutes a release of the Fund for the claim. In 
addition, acceptance of any compensation from the Fund precludes the 
claimant from filing any subsequent action against any person to recover 
costs or damages which are the subject of the compensated claim. 
Acceptance of any compensation also constitutes an agreement by the 
claimant to assign to the Fund any rights, claims, and causes of action 
the claimant has against any person for the costs and damages which are 
the subject of the compensated claims and to cooperate reasonably with 
the Fund in any claim or action by the Fund against any person to 
recover the amounts paid by the Fund. The cooperation shall include, but 
is not limited to, immediately reimbursing the Fund for any compensation 
received from any other source for the same costs and damages and 
providing any documentation, evidence, testimony, and other support, as 
may be necessary

[[Page 73]]

for the Fund to recover from any person.
    (b) Claimant's failure to accept an offer of settlement within 60 
days after the date the offer was mailed to the claimant automatically 
voids the offer. The Director, NPFC, reserves the right to revoke an 
offer at any time.
    (c) A claimant will be notified in writing sent by certified or 
registered mail whenever a claim against the Fund is denied. The failure 
of the Director, NPFC, to make final disposition of a claim within six 
months after it is filed shall, at the option of the claimant any time 
thereafter, be deemed a final denial of the claim.
    (d) The Director, NPFC, upon written request of the claimant or of a 
person duly authorized to act on the claimant's behalf, reconsiders any 
claim denied. The request for reconsideration must be in writing and 
include the factual or legal grounds for the relief requested, providing 
any additional support for the claim. The request must be received by 
the Director, NPFC, within 60 days after the date the denial was mailed 
to the claimant or within 30 days after receipt of the denial by the 
claimant, whichever date is earlier. Reconsideration may only be 
requested once for each claim denied. The Director, NPFC will provide 
the claimant seeking reconsideration with written notification of the 
decision within 90 days after receipt of the request for 
reconsideration. This written decision is final. The failure of the 
Director, NPFC, to make final disposition of a reconsideration within 90 
days after it is received shall, at the option of the claimant any time 
thereafter, be deemed a final denial of the reconsideration.