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If an injury or death for which compensation is payable under this
subchapter is caused under circumstances creating a legal liability in a
person other than the United States to pay damages, and a beneficiary
entitled to compensation from the United States for that injury or death
receives money or other property in satisfaction of that liability as the
result of suit or settlement by him or in his behalf, the beneficiary,
after deducting therefrom the costs of suit and a reasonable attorney's
fee, shall refund to the United States the amount of compensation paid by
the United States and credit any surplus on future payments of
compensation payable to him for the same injury. No court, insurer,
attorney, or other person shall pay or distribute to the beneficiary or
his designee the proceeds of such suit or settlement without first
satisfying or assuring satisfaction of the interest of the United States.
The amount refunded to the United States shall be credited to the
Employees' Compensation Fund. If compensation has not been paid to the
beneficiary, he shall credit the money or property on compensation payable
to him by the United States for the same injury. However, the beneficiary
is entitled to retain, as a minimum, at least one-fifth of the net amount
of the money or other property remaining after the expenses of a suit or
settlement have been deducted; and in addition to this minimum and at the
time of distribution, an amount equivalent to a reasonable attorney's fee
proportionate to the refund to the United States.
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