Message from the Director
Claims Management Branch
Dear Traveler:
The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for the screening of passengers and their baggage at all commercial airports in the United States and its territories. TSA currently employs over 45,000 Security Screeners who screen over 50 million bags per month and over 35 million passengers per month. Occasionally, during the screening process, a screener may damage or misplace passenger's property. It is the mission of this office to reimburse passengers that have experienced loss or damage due to the negligence of a TSA employee.
If you have experienced a loss or damage to your property AND you feel this loss or damage was the direct result of negligence by a TSA employee, you may file a claim with TSA.* If you feel the loss or damage was due to the negligence of your air carrier, please file a claim directly with the air carrier.
In order to protect your rights under Federal law and to file a valid claim, you must send your claim in writing to TSA, stating the circumstances of your loss and the exact amount you are claiming, within two (2) years of the incident. The claim must be sufficient in order to be accepted and examined by TSA. Please refer to the instruction sheet and forms for filing a valid TSA claim.
Once TSA has received a sufficient claim, you will be sent a letter of acknowledgement and a control number. Please recognize that there is often a 3-week delay for mail sent to Federal facilities due to screening requirements. Claims that are faxed will receive a quicker response. Either way, TSA will attempt to resolve your claim as quickly as possible (often within 90 days), however we may require up to six (6) months to fully investigate your claim before we can make a recommendation to approve, deny, or offer a settlement. After six (6) months, you have the right to file suit in U.S. Federal District Court. Small Claims Courts have no jurisdiction over Federal Tort claims. Please refer to the Federal Tort Claims Act for more information.
The TSA Claims Management Branch exists to help passengers. We hope this web site provides you with all of the information you need. If you have any questions, you may contact us at any time.
Yours Sincerely
Donna H. Kane
Director, Claims Management Branch
Transportation Security Administration
