Submittal of a Claim for Damages does not guarantee payment by the City or its insurance carriers. An investigation by a Claims Adjuster will be made into the incident to determine if the City has any liability as determined by applicable laws. You may be contacted by a Claims Adjuster representing the Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA), which is a self insured municipal risk pool. These investigations will be conducted as expeditiously as possible. If it is determined that the City has a responsibility to you, the amount of the claim payment is based on the level of City liability, the level of your liability (if any), and the depreciated value (not replacement value) of the property damaged. If you have contacted the City in an emergency, the Public Works crew or other City employees may assist you as a public service. This assistance does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of the City. Please contact Risk Management/Human Resources at (253) 983-7849 if you have specific questions regarding the claims process.
How do I file a claim for damages?
If you have been injured or your property has been damaged and you believe the City of Lakewood may have a responsibility to you, a Claim for Damages form is required to be completed in order the City to determine its level of responsibility, if any, to the claimant. This form may be requested by calling City Hall at (253) 983-7849, in person at Lakewood City Hall 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 or by following the link below:
To obtain a copy of the Washington State Tort Claim Form Packet (an alternate Claim for Damage Form), please contact the Risk Management Coordinator at (253) 983-7849 or visit the City’s main reception, 1st floor, at 6000 Main Street SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.
NOTE: In order to use fillable forms the form must be downloaded using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If the selected application does not open as a fillable form, click on the download icon in the upper right hand corner to open the application in Adobe Reader.