Claims Office
Recipient of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Excellence in Claims – 1996, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2011 and 2015
Mission
The Camp Zama Claims Office investigates, adjudicates and settles non-contractual claims against the Army arising within its geographic area of responsibility. It also asserts and recovers affirmative claims for damage to government property.
The Camp Zama Claims Office processes four broad categories of claims on behalf of the Department of the Army (DA):
- Tort Claims - Claims against the U.S. for personal injury, death, or property damage caused by the negligence of military personnel acting in the scope of employment or occurring incident to the noncombat operations of the armed services. These include claims under the Military Claims Act, Federal Claims Act, National Guard Claims Act, Foreign Claims Act, and a number of other claims statutes.
- Personnel Claims - Claims against the U.S. filed by soldiers, DA civilians, and other military personnel for loss and damage of personal property occurring incident to service. These include claims for damage to household goods during a PCS move.
- Affirmative Claims - Claims on behalf of the U.S. against negligent third parties for damage to government property.
- SOFA Claims
Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Closed on training holidays and federal holidays
Service provided on walk-in basis or by appointment.
For information call the Camp Zama Claims Office at:
DSN 315-262-4137
Within Japan: 046-407-4137
Location
Our office is located in Bldg. 101. We are on the second floor in office CE 209.
Contact Information
| Phone number: | DSN: 315-262-4137
Within Japan: 046-407-4137 |
| Fax number: | DSN: 315-263-3865 |
| Address: | Office of the Staff Judge Advocate
Client Services - Claims (APAJ-JA-CS)
Unit 45005
APO AP 96343-5005 |
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Personnel Claims
As implemented by Army Regulation 27–20, Chapter 11, and Department of the Army Pamphlet 27–162, Chapter 11, the Personnel Claims Act (31 USC 2731) authorizes the payment of Soldiers’ and civilian employees’ claims for the fair market value of personal property lost, damaged, or destroyed incident to service. The most common claims are those related to Government-sponsored transportation losses (household goods and hold (baggage) and damage/loss to personal property due to fire, flood, theft, vandalism, and/or unusual occurrence that occurred incident to service. THIS IS A GRATUITOUS PAYMENT STATUTE NOT INTENDED TO REPLACE PERSONAL INSURANCE COVERAGE
Torts
This section receives, investigates, and settles claims filed against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act (28 USC 2671-2680) and the Military Claims Act (10 USC 2733) by individuals who suffered a loss or damage as a result of a government employee’s negligent act while in the scope of his employment with the U.S. Government. See Army Regulation 27–20, Chapter 4, for further information on the Federal Tort Claims Act and Chapter 3 for further information on the Military Claims Act.
Article 139 Claims
Article 139 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) allows an individual to seek compensation for property willfully damaged or destroyed, or wrongfully taken, by military personnel subject to the UCMJ. Article 139 is an administrative remedy focused on providing restitution to victims of certain offenses committed by a military member. The restitution, however, is obtained directly from the military member and is not paid by the U.S. Army. The primary resources for adjudicating personnel claims are AR 27-20, Chapter 9, and DA Pamphlet 27-162, Chapter 9. Article 139 claims arising from Soldier misconduct should be made directly to the Military Police and to the chain-of-command of the offending Soldier's unit. The Area Claims Office has administrative oversight of, but does not initiate, Article 139 claims.
Affirmative Claims
Pursuant to the Federal Claims Collection Act, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3711-3702E, Army claims lawyers make demand on tortfeasors, insurance companies, and other potential liable third-parties for damage or loss of Government property within its geographic area of responsibility. The ACO investigates and attempts to recover these property damage affirmative claims. Anyone with information about damage to Government property located on or around Camp Zama, Torii Station or other Army installations in Japan should contact the Camp Zama Claims Office."
SOFA Claims
Information will be provided as it becomes available.
Publications and Resources