TCU Claims Portal – Help Center

About This Portal

This is the U.S. Navy Tort Claims Unit (TCU) Claims Management Portal. Use it to file tort claims with the Department of the Navy and to track and manage claims you have already filed.

What You Can Do Here

  • Create an account and complete your profile.
  • File an administrative claim through a guided form. Your progress is saved automatically.
  • View claims you have filed and check their current status.
  • Send and receive secure messages with TCU staff.
  • Upload supporting documents.
  • Receive electronic correspondence and electronically sign documents.

What This Portal Does Not Do

  • It does not provide legal advice.
  • It does not handle claims that are not Navy tort claims (for example, tort claims for other services, VA disability, military pay, or contract claims).
  • It does not file a lawsuit on your behalf.
TCU Staff Cannot Give Legal Advice
Staff at the Tort Claims Unit are not your attorneys and cannot advise you on whether to file, what to file, how much to demand, or whether a deadline applies to your situation. Consult a private attorney for any question about your legal rights.

Account Help

Sign-in, password management, and multi-factor authentication are provided by Microsoft Azure AD B2C.

Creating a New Account

  1. On the portal home page, click "Create Account" or "Sign Up."
  2. Enter your name and an e-mail address you check regularly. Use a work e-mail if you are filing on behalf of a firm or company.
  3. Click "Verify Email." You will receive a one-time verification code at the provided address.
  4. Enter the code on the next screen to confirm your e-mail address. If you did not receive the code, check your spam folder or click "Resend Code."
  5. Create a password that meets the strength requirements shown on screen.
  6. On your first sign-in, complete your profile.
Why We Need Your E-mail
Your verified e-mail is how we identify you and deliver notifications about your claim. It must be an address you control and check regularly. Notifications cannot be disabled.

Signing In

  1. On the portal home page, click "Sign In."
  2. Enter the e-mail address and password you used at sign-up.
  3. After successful sign-in, you will land on your Home page with the Claim Status Table.

Resetting Your Password

  1. On the sign-in page, click "Forgot Password."
  2. Enter the e-mail address associated with your account.
  3. Follow the instructions in the reset message sent by Microsoft Azure AD B2C.
  4. Choose a new password that meets the requirements shown on screen.
  5. Sign in with the new password

Filing & Managing Claims

Before You File

Gather the following so you can complete the form in one sitting (or save your progress and return later):
  • The date of the incident (or the date range, if it occurred over a period of time).
  • The exact location of the incident — city and state, military installation name, building number, or street intersection.
  • Any identifying information about the Navy employee, vehicle, vessel, or equipment involved.
  • Documents that support the damages or injuries you are claiming (estimates, receipts, medical bills, lost-wage documentation, and so on).
  • If you are filing for someone else: documentation showing your authority, such as a Power of Attorney, Letters of Administration, attorney representation agreement, or corporate resolution.
  • A specific dollar amount you are demanding. The form will not let you submit without one.
Auto-save While You Work
The portal saves your progress automatically as you move through pages. You can close the browser, sign out, or step away. When you return, your draft will be in "My Drafts" right where you left it.
TCU Staff Cannot Give You Legal Advice
Staff at the Tort Claims Unit are not your attorneys and cannot advise you on whether to file, what to file, how much to demand, or whether a deadline applies to your situation. Consult a private attorney for any question about your legal rights.

Filing a New Claim

  1. Sign in to the portal
  2. On the Home page, click "File a New Claim."
  3. Read and acknowledge the legal notices on the first screen. You must check the acknowledgment box to continue.
  4. Use the guided workflow to provide details about your claim. Required fields will be marked by a red asterisk (*).
  5. Upload supporting documents. Required and recommended documents are listed on the screen and vary by claim type.
  6. Read the certification statement and electronically sign by typing your full legal name. After submission, your claim appears on the Home page under "Submitted Claims" with a claim number beginning with "WP" (web portal). A TCU staff member will complete the initial intake of your claim. You will be contacted for additional information if needed.

Editing a Draft Claim

Drafts are claims you have started but not yet submitted. They appear in a separate "My Drafts" area on your Home page.

  1. Sign in.
  2. Click "My Drafts" on the Home page.
  3. Click the draft you want to continue.
  4. Select your starting point from the left-hand navigation.
Auto-save While You Work
The portal saves your progress automatically as you move through pages. You can close the browser, sign out, or step away. When you return, your draft will be in "My Drafts" right where you left it.

After You Submit a Claim

Once you click "Submit Claim," the claim cannot be edited from your account. This protects what you originally signed.

If you need a change after submission, you have two options:
  1. Use "Request a Correction" on the Claim Details page. A pre-populated message will open referencing your claim number. Describe the change you are requesting and click Send. TCU staff will review and advise if any further details are needed.
  2. Upload supplemental documents to the Claim Details page. Uploads are accepted at any time and become part of the claim record. They do not modify or replace anything you originally submitted; they supplement it.
If your situation requires a change in legal representation, see §5 ("Request to Change or Update a Claim Representative").

Checking Claim Status

Your Home page shows a Submitted Claims table listing every claim associated with your account. For each claim, you can see:

Field Description
Claim Number Portal or permanent claim identifier
Open Date Date the claim was submitted
Status Current stage of review
Total Demand Total amount requested
Total Payment Payments issued, if applicable
Close Date Date the claim was closed

Possible Statuses

Click "View Details" in the left-most column for a read-only view of everything you submitted on the claim, plus any later uploads and correspondence.Possible statuses include: Submitted; Under Review; Awaiting Documentation; In Settlement Negotiation; Settled; Denied; Withdrawn; Closed. TCU staff update the status as the claim progresses, and a notification is sent to your registered e-mail when it changes.

Messages & Documents

Uploading a Document to Your Claim

You may upload supplemental documents – additional medical records, further estimates, supporting affidavits – at any time during the life of your claim.
  1. Sign in and open the Claim Details page.
  2. Click the Documents tab.
  3. Click "Upload Document," choose the file, and select a category (Medical Records, Repair Estimate, Authority to Act, and so on).
  4. Click "Upload." The file becomes part of the claim record immediately and cannot be deleted from your account.

Uploading Documents

Supported file types:

  • PDF
  • JPG / PNG / TIFF
  • DOC / DOCX
  • XLS / XLSX

Maximum File Size: 25 MB per file

Withdrawing a Submitted Claim

Withdrawing a claim means asking TCU to close the claim without adjudication. The portal does not provide a self-service "Withdraw" button. Withdrawals are handled by TCU staff so that the request is properly documented.

  1. Sign in and open the Claim Details page.
  2. Click the Messages tab and select "Request Withdrawal."
  3. Provide a brief reason for the request and click Submit.
  4. TCU staff will confirm the request and may follow up with questions. You will receive an e-mail notification when your claim has been withdrawn.
Important
Withdrawing a claim can have legal consequences. TCU cannot advise you on whether to withdraw or what effect a withdrawal will have. If you are unsure, consult a private attorney before requesting withdrawal

Request to Change or Update a Claim Representative

Requests to change or update a claim representative are processed through the normal message process. However, all requests must include supporting documentation. The burden of proof lies with the requester to demonstrate eligibility for the change. Submit the documents that match your situation:

Termination of Attorney-Client Relationship (proceeding pro se)

  1. Written notice of termination from the attorney or law firm.
  2. Confirmation from the attorney or law firm acknowledging termination.

Authorized Representative / Estate Administrator

  1. Claimant's death certificate.
  2. Your state-issued photo ID.
  3. Proof of authorization (Letters of Administration, Letters Testamentary, Power of Attorney, or guardianship documentation)
  4. If applicable, a copy of the attorney's retainer agreement.

Substitution of Counsel

  1. Written notice of termination from the previous attorney or law firm.
  2. roof of authorization to act as the claimant's attorney.
  3. A copy of the new Attorney Retainer Agreement.

Appearance of Counsel for Previously Pro Se Claimant

  1. Proof of authorization to act as the claimant's attorney.
  2. A copy of the Attorney Retainer Agreement.

Loss of Access to Original E-mail

  1. Your state-issued photo ID.
  2. A signed statement attesting that you are the original filer (or the authorized representative of the original filer), under penalty of perjury.
  3. If the original filer was someone else: documentation establishing your authority (death certificate plus Letters of Administration, Power of Attorney, etc.).

Common Field Tooltips

Field Tooltip
Address 1 Street address, P.O. Box, or military post-office identifier.
Address 2 Apartment, suite, unit number, or attention line (optional).
City City or APO/FPO identifier.
State U.S. state or territory. For APO/FPO addresses, select the state shown on your mail label.
Country Country. Defaults to United States.
Zip Code Five-digit U.S. ZIP code, or ZIP+4. For international addresses, enter the local postal code.
Work Phone Daytime phone number where TCU can reach you.
Extension Optional. Use if your work number has a switchboard.
Home Phone Optional. A number where TCU can leave a message.
Mobile Phone Optional. Used for text-message MFA if you select that method.
Mobile Phone Optional. Used for text-message MFA if you select that method.

Attorney / Representative

Field Tooltip
Firm The legal name of your law firm or representative organization.
Title / Legal Capacity How you sign on behalf of others — for example, "Attorney at Law," "Attorney in Fact," "Executor," or "Subrogation Specialist."
Bar Number / State of Admission Optional. Your state-bar number and the state where you are admitted to practice. Used by TCU to verify your professional standing.
Assistant — Name Optional. The name of a paralegal, secretary, or assistant TCU may contact in your absence.
Assistant — E-mail Optional. An additional e-mail for routine status updates. The primary attorney remains the official representative of record.

Insurance Provider

Field Tooltip
Company The legal name of the insurance company.
Phone Main switchboard or claims-department number for the company.

Damage or Injury Type

Field Tooltip
Property Damage Damage to property you own — vehicles, real estate, or personal belongings.
Personal Injury / Wrongful Death Physical injury, illness, or death, including alleged medical malpractice at a DoD medical facility.
Property Damage and Personal Injury / Wrongful Death Select this combined option only if the same incident caused both property damage and personal injury (or death) to the same claimant. Different claimants must file separate claims.

NDAA Verification

Field Tooltip
Active Duty status Federal law has a specific definition of "Active Duty." If you are unsure how to answer, select your best understanding and continue — TCU staff will verify during review.
Personal Injury / Wrongful Death Physical injury, illness, or death, including alleged medical malpractice at a DoD medical facility.
Medical Expert Affidavit (Sample) A template you may give to a qualified non-DoD healthcare professional. If your claim is one for which this affidavit is required, the portal will tell you on the Documents screen.

Proper Claimant

Field Tooltip
Are you the Claimant? Select YES if you are the individual or entity whose property was damaged, who was injured, or who is bringing a subrogation/recovery claim. Select NO if you are filing on someone else's behalf — for example, as an attorney, executor, or subrogation recovery firm.
Individual Select if you are personally filing as the injured person, the owner of damaged property, or the registered owner of a damaged vehicle.
Insurance Company (Subrogated) Select if your insurance company paid a claim and is now seeking recovery from the federal government for that payment.
Business / Corporation Select if a business or corporation you legally represent owns the damaged property, or is a self-insured employer seeking recovery.
Government Entity Select if you are filing on behalf of a state, local, tribal, or other government agency seeking recovery.
Individual Representative (Agent/Attorney) Select if you are an attorney or other authorized agent filing on behalf of an individual claimant.
Estate / Minor Representative Select if you are filing as the legal representative of a deceased person's estate or on behalf of a minor child.
Subrogation Recovery Firm Select if you are a firm filing recovery claims on behalf of one or more insurance carriers.
Corporate Signatory Select if you are an officer or authorized signatory filing on behalf of a business or corporation.
Government Official / Representative Select if you are an authorized official filing on behalf of a state, local, tribal, or other government agency.

Claimant Name and Address

Field Tooltip
Use my profile information Pre-fills the address fields below with information from your portal profile. You can edit the values before continuing.
Entity Legal Name The full legal name of the claimant entity — the insurance company, business, or government agency. Use the exact name on your registration or charter, not a marketing name.
EIN / Tax Identifier The Employer Identification Number (or local equivalent for foreign entities). Used by TCU for payment and 1099-tax processing.

Agent or Representative

Field Tooltip
Full Legal Name of Claimant The full legal name of the person, business, or entity bringing this claim. For subrogation claims, enter the Insurance Company's legal name here. For estate claims, enter the deceased's full legal name.
Insured's Name (Subrogation only) If you are a subrogated insurer, enter the original insured's first name, middle initial, and last name. The claim will appear in our records as "[Insurance Company] A/S/O [Insured Name]."
Your Title / Legal Capacity How you are authorized to sign — for example, "Attorney at Law," "Attorney in Fact," "Executor," "Subrogation Specialist," "Corporate Officer."
Business Name Your law firm, subrogation recovery firm, company, or agency name.
Upload Supporting Documentation Required. Upload your evidence of authority — for example, a Power of Attorney, Letters of Administration, Attorney Representation Agreement, or Corporate Resolution. Sample forms are available via the download links below.

Incident Date and Time

Field Tooltip
Primary Date The specific date the incident occurred. Use MM/DD/YYYY format. If you cannot recall the exact date, use your best estimate and explain in the Date Range field below.
Date Range or Additional Details Use this field if the incident occurred over a period of time, or if you need to clarify the date.
Time of Incident Approximate time of day. If unknown, use your best estimate.

Property & Incident Details (PD)

Field Tooltip
Ownership Verification Only the legal owner of property may file a property-damage claim. For motor vehicles, this is the registered owner — regardless of who was driving. If you are not the owner, please return to the Proper Claimant screen.
Exact Location of Incident Provide the city and state, the specific military installation, the building number, or the street intersection. The more specific you are, the faster we can investigate.
Government Personnel or Equipment Involved Names, ranks, duty stations, vehicle license plates, ship or aircraft hull numbers, or any other identifying information about the Navy employee or equipment involved.

Incident & Facility Details (NDAA)

Field Tooltip
Facility Verification The NDAA medical-malpractice pathway is limited to care provided at covered DoD Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) or by covered DoD healthcare providers. Care at a private civilian hospital or by a non-DoD contractor is not eligible under the NDAA.
Military Medical Treatment Facility (MTF) The name of the specific DoD hospital, clinic, or medical facility — for example, "Walter Reed National Military Medical Center."
Healthcare Providers Involved If known, the names of doctors, nurses, technicians, or medical units involved. If you only know titles or descriptions, those are helpful too.

Incident Details (non-NDAA PI/WD, and combined)

Field Tooltip
Exact Location of Incident Provide the city and state, the specific military installation, the building number, or the street intersection.
Government Personnel or Equipment Involved Names, ranks, duty stations, vehicle license plates, ship or aircraft hull numbers, or any other identifying information about the Navy employee or equipment involved.

Basis of Claim

Field Tooltip
Basis of Claim Tell us what happened, in your own words. Include dates, places, names of people involved, and a clear timeline. The more specific you are, the faster we can investigate. There is no length limit.
Nature of Damage, Injury, or Death Describe the specific harm — what was damaged and how; what injury you suffered and how severe; or what caused the death. Include diagnoses and treatments if known.

Witnesses

Field Tooltip
Name Full name of the witness.
Address Mailing address where the witness can be reached.
Phone Number Daytime phone number for the witness.
E-mail Address An e-mail address for the witness, if known.
Add / Delete row Use the (+) icon to add another witness; use the trash icon to remove a row. Witnesses you remove are not deleted from your draft; they are hidden and can be restored by selecting Yes again.

Insurance Coverage

PD

Field Tooltip
Accident Insurance Insurance that covers the type of property damage at issue — for example, auto collision coverage, homeowners insurance, or commercial property coverage.
Filed with carrier? Have you reported this incident to your insurance company?
Deductible The amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurer pays
Insurer Action What action has your insurance company taken — paid the claim, denied it, offered a settlement, or is the claim still pending?
Public Liability / Property Damage Insurance Liability insurance that covers third parties for damage you may have caused. Disclose any policies that may overlap with this claim.

PI/WD non-NDAA

Field Tooltip
Health / Dental / Disability Insurance Private insurance that covers medical expenses or lost-income benefits — for example, your health plan, dental plan, PIP/MedPay auto coverage, or disability insurance.
Status of Insurance Claims Have you filed a claim with any of these carriers, and what action have they taken?
Workers' Compensation State or federal workers' compensation benefits for injuries that occurred while you were working.

Documents

Field Tooltip
Proof of Ownership Documents showing you legally own the damaged property — for vehicles, the title or registration; for real estate, the deed or tax record; for personal property, purchase receipts, appraisals, or other evidence of value.
Documentation of Damages (PD) Two (2) written estimates from independent licensed repair facilities; OR paid itemized invoices/receipts if the property has already been repaired.
Documentation of Damages (PI/WD) Itemized medical bills, hospital invoices, pharmacy receipts; for lost wages, employer statements, pay stubs, or tax documents proving the income you lost.
Proof of Standing (Wrongful Death) Death certificate plus Letters of Administration or court order officially appointing you as Executor or Administrator of the deceased's estate.
Medical Expert Affidavit (NDAA only) Affidavit from a qualified non-DoD healthcare professional. A sample template is available for download on the NDAA Verification screen.
Representative Authority Power of Attorney, Letters of Administration, Attorney Representation Agreement, Corporate Resolution, or other evidence that you are authorized to file on behalf of the claimant. If you provided this on the Agent or Representative screen, you do not need to upload it again.
Incident Verification (recommended) Police Report, Base Security Report, Military Police Report, Mishap Report, or any official incident report.
Additional Evidence (recommended) Photographs, witness statements, repair invoices not yet claimed, EOBs from insurers, medical records, or anything else that supports your claim.

Amount of Claim

Field Tooltip
Property Damage Dollar amount you are demanding for property damage. Optional; shown only if applicable to your claim type.
Personal Injury Dollar amount you are demanding for personal injury. Optional; shown only if applicable
Wrongful Death Dollar amount you are demanding for wrongful death. Optional; shown only if applicable.
Total Required. Enter a specific dollar amount. Approximate amounts, ranges, or "see attached" are not accepted.

Signature

Field Tooltip
Signature (Type Full Name) Type your full legal name. This electronic signature is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.
Phone Number A number where TCU can reach you during business hours about this claim.
E-mail Address The e-mail address where you wish to receive correspondence about this claim. Pre-filled from your account; edit if you want correspondence routed elsewhere.
Date Defaults to today's date
Acknowledgment Checkbox By checking this box and clicking Submit Claim, you are signing this document electronically and acknowledging that it is legally equivalent to a handwritten signature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I forgot my password?

Use the Forgot Password link on the sign-in page. A one-time reset link will be sent to your registered e-mail address.

I no longer have access to the e-mail I used to file. How do I recover the claim?

Create a new account using your current e-mail, then submit a message. You will be asked to upload a state-issued photo ID and, if applicable, documentation establishing your authority to act for the original filer.

Can I edit my claim after I submit it?

No. After submission, the claim is read-only from your account. You can request a correction or upload supplemental documents from the Claim Details page.

Why can't I turn off the e-mail notifications?

Many portal notifications convey events that may be time-sensitive for your claim. To make sure you do not miss them, the portal does not allow notifications to be disabled.

Is my information secure?

The portal operates within DoD's authorized cloud environment at Impact Level 4 (IL-4). All data is encrypted in transit and in storage.

Can I file on behalf of someone else?

Yes – for example, as an attorney for a client, as the executor of a deceased claimant's estate, as a parent or guardian for a minor, or as an authorized officer of an insurance company seeking subrogation. You will be asked to provide evidence of your authority (Power of Attorney, Letters of Administration, Attorney Representation Agreement, Corporate Resolution, etc.) during the filing process.

What if my claim isn't a Navy tort claim?

This portal handles only tort claims involving the Department of the Navy. Other matters (such as VA disability, military pay, contract claims, and tort claims involving other federal agencies) are handled elsewhere. Contact the appropriate agency for details about submitting a claim.

I have a legal question. Can TCU help?

No. TCU staff cannot give legal advice about your specific situation. For legal questions, please consult a private attorney. State and local bar associations operate lawyer-referral services that can help you find one.

Glossary of Portal Terms

Term Definition
A/S/O. "As subrogee of." Appears in records when an insurance company files a claim to recover money it paid to its insured.
Authority to File / Evidence of Authority Documents you upload to show you may file on someone else's behalf – for example, Power of Attorney, Letters of Administration, or an Attorney Representation Agreement.
Claim Status Table The table on the portal Home page that lists every claim associated with your account.
Draft A claim you have started in the portal but not yet submitted. Drafts appear in the "My Drafts" area and are saved automatically as you work.
J claim number The permanent claim number for your claim, beginning with “J” MTF. Military Medical Treatment Facility. A hospital, clinic, or other healthcare facility operated by the Department of Defense.
My Drafts The portal area where claims you have started but not yet submitted are kept.
O/B/O "On behalf of." Appears in records when one person files for another (for example, an executor for a deceased claimant).
Submitted Claim A claim that has been signed and submitted. Submitted claims appear in the Claim Status Table and are read-only from your account.
Sum certain A specific dollar amount of damages. The portal requires a specific amount in the Total field of the Amount of Claim screen.
TCU Tort Claims Unit. The Department of the Navy office that adjudicates Navy tort claims and operates this portal.
WP claim number A temporary claim number beginning with "WP," indicating the claim was submitted through this Web Portal and is in its initial processing stages.

Contact and Additional Resources

Tort Claims Unit Norfolk

Phone: (757) 350-3085
Email: TortClaimsUnit@us.navy.mil
Address: 9324 Virginia Ave., Suite 104, Norfolk, VA 23511-2949

Website: https://www.jag.navy.mil/

If You Need Legal Help

TCU cannot give you legal advice or recommend attorneys. Your state or local bar association operates a lawyer-referral service and can help you find an attorney who handles claims like yours.

Accessibility

This portal is designed to meet Section 508 accessibility standards. If you have difficulty using the portal because of a disability, please contact TCU at [TCU phone] or [TCU e-mail] and we will work with you to provide an accessible alternative.