Claims For Damages

Claims for damages must be filed with the proper agency. If you believe the City of Tacoma (the "City") is at fault for an incident or accident resulting in loss, injury or damages, you can file a claim with the City. If you were harmed by another entity (for example, the United States Government, the state, a county, or another city) you must file your claim against the other entity or entities.

 

The process for submitting a claim to the City and links to the online claim filing portal and to the Claim for Damages forms are below. 

 

Even if you believe that the City is at fault for damage to your property or for physical injury, the City does not pay service providers (for example, auto repair shops, contractors, doctors, etc.) directly for repairs to your property or for medical treatment. You are responsible for paying for repairs and medical bills and filing a claim with the City. 

 

If you have questions about the claims process that are not answered on this web page, please call the Customer Support Center at (253) 591-5000 or dial 3-1-1 from within the Tacoma city limits. You can also contact the Customer Support Center during regular business hours from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, at the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street, Room 220 (2nd floor), or online on the Questions and Answers web page. 

 

Submitting A Claim For Damages

You can submit a claim for damages using one of the options below. Give specific details about your damage or loss. Include a detailed description of the event (incident or accident), including the location, dates, times, and witnesses, and include supporting documents. The claim form must be signed by one of the following: 

1. the claimant, 
2. a person holding a written power of attorney from the claimant (include a copy of the power of attorney),  
3. the attorney in fact for the claimant, 
4. an attorney admitted to practice in Washington state on the claimant's behalf, or
5. a court-approved guardian ad litem on behalf of the claimant. 

If the claimant is a business, including insurance companies, the claim form must be signed by a person within the business that has authority to handle a claim for damages on the business’s behalf (for example, a corporate officer, a shareholder, or a governing member of the business). Supporting documentation should be included to support this authority.

 

When signing the tort Claim for Damages form, you are declaring under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that the information contained in your claim is true and correct.

 

How to File Your Claim

Choose one of these ways to file your claim. 

 

1. Complete a claim for damages online. 

 

File a Claim Online

 

Notes about the online claims portal:

• You can upload digitized photographs and documents through the portal when submitting a claim.
• The portal does not allow you to save your progress.
• You will be able to download a PDF copy of your claim after submitting it.
• If you use the portal, an electronic signature must be used. An electronic signature means an original signature that is placed on the claim form and executed or adopted by the claimant with the intent to sign the form. See RCW 1.80.010. 
• If you provide an email address, an email confirming receipt of your claim will be sent to you after submission with a PDF copy of your claim that you can download.

 

2. Download a Claim Form (fillable PDF) to print and file by mail or in person. 

 

Download a PDF Claim Form

 

You can download a claim form in PDF format to be printed and filed by mail or in person. You can fill out the PDF form on your computer, or print it and complete by hand. Notes about the fillable form:

• Be sure to sign your completed claim form and keep a copy for your records.
• Use the following address to mail your completed claim form, or to file in person: 
  City of Tacoma
  Office of the City Clerk
  747 Market Street, Room 220
  Tacoma, WA 98402

To request a printed form be sent to you by mail, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (253) 591-5505 or cityclerk@cityoftacoma.org. 

 

3. Download a Claim Form (Word) for use with a screen reader or other accessibility device, to print and file by mail or in person. 

 

Download a Word Claim Form

 

You can download a claim form in Word format to be used with a screen reader or other accessibility device. You can fill out the PDF form on your computer, or print it and complete by hand. Notes about the fillable form:

• Be sure to sign your completed claim form and keep a copy for your records.
• Use the following address to mail your completed claim form, or to file in person: 
  City of Tacoma
  Office of the City Clerk
  747 Market Street, Room 220
  Tacoma, WA 98402

To request a printed form be sent to you by mail, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (253) 591-5505 or cityclerk@cityoftacoma.org. 

 

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Supporting Documents

When filing a claim, it is recommended that you provide any documents that support your claim. Since these documents may be required before a claim can be resolved, you may want to include them with your claim form. However, please take note of the following:

• Documents will not be returned; keep copies of everything you submit.
• Information on your claim for damages form, including photographs and documents submitted with your claim form, may be released as a public record in response to a public records request. 
• You should not send sensitive personal or medical records with your claim form. Claims staff will request these records if needed.

For Property Damage Claims

• Repair estimates/receipts/documents.
  Repair estimates, photos, receipts, or any other documentation may be included with your Claim for Damages form to support your loss.
• Photographs.
  Photographs supporting your claim may be included with your Claim for Damages form. Alternatively, you can submit photographs via email to your assigned claims staff after the investigation has begun.

Claims Process

Claims are acknowledged and investigated. Our investigation begins when we receive your claim for damages. Submit your claim form as soon as possible after a loss occurs, even if damage costs or totals are uncertain. 

Once a claim is received an acknowledgement letter is sent to the claimant with the claims adjuster's contact information. There may be additional instructions or informational requests. Claimants who would like an update on the status of a claim, should call or email their claims adjuster. 

 

Supporting documentation may be requested by claims staff and an email address will be provided where you can submit this documentation. If your claim involves physical injuries, you may also be asked to sign an authorization for release of protected health information.  

 

The length of the investigation varies greatly depending on the complexity of the issues and the availability of documents and witnesses to support causation and damages. Your claim may result in one of three outcomes:

1. Payment is issued.
2. Tender or transfer the claim to a different responsible party or entity.
3. Denial of the claim.

For claims follow-up or acknowledgement questions, contact the appropriate office below: 

• For non-utility claims, contact the City Attorney's Office at (253) 591-5616 or by email to legalclaims@cityoftacoma.org.
• For utility (Tacoma Rail, Power, and Water) claims, call (253) 502-8357 or email legalclaims@cityoftacoma.org.

Important Notes about Medicare Section 111 Reporting

If you receive a settlement payment from the City for physical injuries, Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (MMSEA) requires that the City report specific information about Medicare beneficiaries who have other insurance coverage. You will be required to sign and return a "MMSEA Reporting Compliance Declaration." This is required for all claims for physical injuries regardless of claimant's Medicare eligibility status.