WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CLAIMS FORMS?
Under Oregon Revised Statutes 30.275, before you can take legal action against a governmental entity such as the City of Portland, you must generally provide written notice of the claim within 180 days of the act or omission you claim has caused you harm. Although specific forms are not required, Risk Management has designed forms that will help you provide the information to comply with the notice requirement, and that will help us evaluate your claim. The “Auto Liability Claim Form” is for collisions with a City of Portland vehicle, and the “General Liability Claim Form” is for all other claims. If you want payment for injury or property damage that you think was caused by the City or our employees, you should provide written notice as soon as possible.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE FORMS?
The City’s claim forms are available online. We can also mail, email, or fax you a claim form. To request a form by mail, email, or fax please call the main Risk Management automated recording at (503) 823-5101 and choose 3 for “tort liability and filing a claim.” Leave a message with your name, phone and address, email address or fax number, and whether this is an auto or general liability claim. You can also email us at LiabilityClaims@portlandoregon.gov.
WHAT SHOULD I INCLUDE ON THE FORM?
Any claim against the City must be presented in writing. You should enter accurate, complete information on your claim form. The completed claim form must be signed by the claimant. Please describe your event clearly, and explain your damages. Property damage claims may require receipts, estimates, photos, or an itemized list of damages. For injury claims, because of federal Medicare requirements, we will need your Social Security Number. We will also need information about your treatment, and copies of medical bills. Please include those items if available. Any information you give us will be evaluated as part of our claim investigation.
WHO WILL SEE MY CLAIM FORM?
The claim form you send us will be used by Risk Management to investigate your claim. We will share it with the City Bureau that may be responsible for your loss. Also, any claim notice submitted to the City of Portland is considered a public record by Oregon law. If a public records request is made for the claim form, Risk Management is required to produce it. If it is provided to the media or third parties, Risk Management first blocks out certain personal information, such as social security number and driver license number.
HOW DO I SUBMIT THE FORM?
You may mail, personally deliver, fax or email the completed claim form. Mail to or personally deliver to: Risk Management – Liability, 1120 SW 5th Ave, Suite 1040-Risk, Portland, OR 97204. Fax to: 503-823-6120 Email to:LiabilityClaims@portlandoregon.gov
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF RISK MANAGEMENT?
The City of Portland is self-insured for tort claims for damages. The Risk Management liability claims team provides claims adjusting service for all claims against the City under the City’s self-insurance fund. After we receive your claim, it will be given a claim number, and a claims adjuster will be assigned. The adjuster will send you confirmation that your claim notice was received, their name, and direct contact information. If Risk Management requests further information about your claim, that does not guarantee that your claim has been accepted for payment, nor does it mean that the City of Portland accepts liability.