[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 32, Volume 5] [Revised as of July 1, 2005] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 32CFR751.22] [Page 426-427] TITLE 32--NATIONAL DEFENSE CHAPTER VI--DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY PART 751_PERSONNEL CLAIMS REGULATIONS--Table of Contents Subpart B_Demand On Carrier, Contractor, or Insurer Sec. 751.22 Carrier recovery: In general. (a) Responsibility. Recovery of amounts due for personal property lost or damaged while in transit or in storage at Government expense is a joint Personal Property Office/Naval Legal Service Office responsibility. In order to establish liability and to effectively pursue a recovery claim against a carrier, warehouseman, or other third party, it is essential that all required [[Page 427]] action be accomplished in an expeditious manner. Failure of the property owner or any Government agent to exercise diligence in the performance of duties may render collection of the claim impossible and thereby deprive the Government of rightful revenue. Claims approving and settlement authorities will ensure that all actions required of the property owner and naval personnel are accomplished promptly. (b) Elements of collection. There are four elements in the successful assertion and collection of a recovery claim. They are: (1) Proving that a transit loss occurred; (2) Determining who had responsibility for the goods at the time of the transit loss; (3) Calculating the amount of damages; and (4) Pursuing the responsible party or parties vigorously.