James Kennedy, chief of the international claims division for 5th Air Force headquarters at Yokota Air Base near Tokyo. There's room for saying we view a case in a certain way, but there isn't disagreement on the standards since it's a published document. Those standards cover pain and suffering, medical costs, loss of current and future earnings and disability payments. After a claim is assessed by both sides, DFAA officials confer with U.S. attorneys like Kennedy. Kennedy said the vast majority of claims that pass through his office involve fender benders, cases that are pretty clear cut.
Cases involving fatalities are rare.
Circumstances under which a mishap occurred play an important role in the legal process. As in civilian litigation, claimants must produce medical proof of a victim's condition, or estimates in instances of property damage. Depending on the medical status of victims, Kennedy says some claims can take years to resolve. Amounts more than that are sent to Air Force headquarters in Washington for disposition. Beyond routine claims involving auto accidents or property damages, the United States has paid compensation for some unusual claims in Japan.